De Europese Unie in een democratische spagaat

The European Commission’s European Democracy Shield responds to growing threats to democracy, such as disinformation, cyberattacks and foreign interference. Despite its urgent tone, the initiative relies mainly on non-binding measures and builds on earlier policy frameworks. This contribution argues that the Shield exposes the limits of EU action in the democratic sphere: while the Union faces increasing pressure to act, it lacks a clear Treaty competence to regulate national democratic processes. Although recent EU legislation has sought to protect democracy indirectly, often on the basis of the internal market under Article 114 TFEU, this legal justification remains contested. The Democracy Shield therefore highlights the Commission’s structural dilemma between political ambition and constrained competence.