Text · Opinion parliamentary committee
On the EU strategy to face the new theories against democracy
Document DEVE-AD-781231 · 2025/2050(INI)
- Kind
- Opinion parliamentary committee DEVE-AD-781231
- Date
- 18 March 2026
- Committee
- Committee on Development
- Rapporteur
- Marco Tarquinio
- Dossier
- 2025-2050
More facts (3)
- Formats
- Official page PDF Word
- Subject matter
- EXT, CDEV
- Reference
- 2025/2050(INI)
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Back matter, 3
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Amendments 285 blocks
The Committee on Development submits the following to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the committee responsible:
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to Articles 2, 9, 10, 11 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union, | – having regard to Articles 2, 3, 9, 10, 11 and 21 of the Treaty on European Union, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which establishes development cooperation as a core objective of the Union and enshrines the principle of policy coherence for development, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/20091a, | |
| 1a OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/947/oj. |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 25 March 2020 entitled ‘EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024’(JOIN(2020)0005), and to the fact that this action plan has been extended until 2027, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 1 December 2021 entitled ‘The Global Gateway’ (JOIN(2021)0030), |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 25 November 2020 entitled ‘EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III – An ambitious agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in EU external action’ (JOIN(2020)0017), |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 4 October 2022 entitled ‘Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action 2022 - 2027 – Promoting meaningful youth participation and empowerment in EU external action for sustainable development, equality and peace’ (JOIN(2022)0053), |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the Commission communication of 7 March 2025 entitled ‘A Roadmap for Women’s Rights’ (COM(2025)0097), |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the joint communications from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 2 October 2024 entitled ‘Building sustainable international partnerships as a Team Europe’ (JOIN(2024)0025) and of 3 December 2025 entitled ‘Strengthening EU economic security’ (JOIN(2025)0977), |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the joint statement of 30 June 2017 by the Council and the representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission entitled ‘The New European Consensus on Development – “Our world, our dignity, our future“’, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the EU Guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief, adopted on 24 June 2013, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the Council conclusions of 19 June 2017 on EU engagement with civil society in external relations, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the Council conclusions of 14 October 2019 on democracy, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2022 on the persecution of minorities on the grounds of belief or religion1a, ______________ 1a OJ C 465, 6.12.2022, p. 33. |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the special reports by the European Court of Auditors on the effectiveness, accountability and value for money of EU development spending, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, which establishes the Economic and Social Council as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, | – having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, |
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| – having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in September 2015, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| – having regard to the principles of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on effective development cooperation, including partner-country ownership, accountability and a focus on sustainable results, |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| Aa. whereas democracy, the rule of law and human rights are founding values of the Union and guiding principles of its external action, as set out in Articles 2 and 21 TEU; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| Ab. whereas democracy is increasingly being challenged at national and international levels; whereas anti-democratic narratives and ideologies are being spread across all regions of the world, not only by authoritarian regimes but also in some advanced democracies, raising concerns about the resilience of democratic institutions, the protection of human rights, and international justice and stability; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| Ac. whereas international law, which underpins the global rules-based order and multilateralism, is under attack and is increasingly being undermined by authoritarian regimes and democratic backsliding; whereas international institutions, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which are essential to upholding the global rules-based order, human rights, the rule of law and international peace, security and development cooperation, are under growing pressure; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ad. whereas the responsible exercise of freedom of opinion and expression is essential for vibrant and resilient democracies, as it enables inclusive participation, social accountability and sustainable development outcomes; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| C. whereas democracy is in danger and the surest way to defend it is to increase the influence and reach of the European Union by establishing this upholder of the rule of law as one of the three great powers of this century; | C. whereas the increase in armed conflicts, authoritarianism and democratic backsliding worldwide, the persistent erosion of human rights, the spread of disinformation and the malign use of rapidly evolving technologies underscore the need for stronger, more resolute, effective, coherent and values-based EU external action, grounded in the promotion of human rights, equality, humanity, democracy, freedom, the rule of law, social justice and effective multilateralism; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ca. whereas the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027 highlights the need for coordinated action by the EU and its Member States to protect and empower individuals, build resilient, inclusive and democratic societies, strengthen multilateralism and promote the rules-based international order, with the UN human rights system at its core, while harnessing opportunities and addressing challenges posed by new technologies; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cb. whereas the effective implementation of SDG 16 on promoting peace, justice and strong institutions is a core driver of sustainable development and democratic resilience in partner countries; whereas supporting institutional reforms, strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption and fostering inclusive, participatory and non-discriminatory decision-making processes are core components of EU development cooperation and partnerships; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cc. whereas the credibility and effectiveness of the Union’s support for democracy in developing countries depend on clear objectives, measurable results and transparency in the use of development assistance, in order to strengthen public trust both in partner countries and within the Union; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| Cd. whereas the shifting global context, particularly the significant cuts in US foreign aid, as well as the decrease in development assistance from some EU Member States, have had a significant impact on democracy support programmes in partner countries, leaving democratic actors with reduced protection and limited capacity to defend democracy; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ce. whereas education is a lever for progress and is vital to democracy and civic participation; whereas it plays a crucial role in reducing inequalities, boosting human potential and shaping a more equitable and sustainable future; whereas the shrinking space for academic freedom is intrinsically connected to the global expansion of authoritarianism; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cf. whereas accountable governance, the rule of law, including an independent and impartial judiciary, and sound public financial management are core elements of democratic and social resilience and of effective development cooperation; whereas corruption and the absence of transparency and accountability in public administration undermine democratic legitimacy, trust in institutions, access to public services and the sustainability of development outcomes; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cg. whereas democratic legitimacy is strengthened when citizens experience tangible improvements in living conditions, including access to education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic opportunities, resulting from transparent, inclusive and responsive public policies; whereas development cooperation plays a key role in enabling such outcomes in partner countries; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ch. whereas civil society organisations (CSOs) are an essential pillar of any democracy and are crucial partners in the EU’s efforts to support democracy and development in partner countries; whereas the space for civil society is shrinking globally amid broader authoritarian and anti-democratic backsliding; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ci. whereas more than 600 human rights defenders were killed or forcibly disappeared in 20241a; | |
| 1a Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, ‘Human Rights Count – Delivering insights with UN Human Rights data’ June 2025. |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cj. whereas women human rights defenders and peacebuilders face heightened risk of reprisals and attacks for their critical work on democracy, peace and stability; whereas women’s rights organisations are particularly targeted by anti-gender narratives and funding cuts in developing countries, with around half of those operating in fragile contexts at risk of closure due to funding constraints1a; | |
| 1a UN Women, ‘At a breaking point: The impact of foreign aid cuts on women’s organizations in humanitarian crises worldwide’, 2025. |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Ck. whereas the Global Gateway strategy aims to offer partner countries a values-based, transparent and high-quality alternative, serving as a lever to promote good governance, democratic standards and the rule of law, thereby reducing the risks of authoritarian influence; whereas a significant share of recent Global Gateway projects has been implemented in fragile, hybrid or authoritarian regimes and non-democratic contexts, raising concerns about the effective application of these principles; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cl. whereas responsible private investment, supported by predictable regulatory frameworks, respect for the rule of law and effective public oversight, can contribute to democratic stability by fostering inclusive growth, job creation and broader socio-economic resilience in partner countries; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cm. whereas EU election observation missions (EOMs) play a crucial role in strengthening democratic processes in partner countries by providing independent, impartial and comprehensive assessments of electoral frameworks and their implementation; whereas these missions enhance transparency, public trust, social cohesion and accountability throughout the electoral cycle, including the post-electoral period; whereas they support local stakeholders in advancing reforms that promote free, fair, inclusive and credible elections; whereas effective follow-up to EOM recommendations is essential for consolidating democratic governance, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Cn. whereas democratic systems in partner countries depend not only on electoral processes but also on the capacity of public institutions to deliver basic services, ensure legal certainty and manage public resources in a transparent and accountable manner; whereas weak institutional capacity and poor governance undermine citizens’ trust in democratic processes and public authorities; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Calls on the European Union to rise to this historic challenge by equipping itself with the means to extend its influence to other continents, to enlarge its ranks, to make its institutions better understood by the rest of the world and by its own citizens, to develop its trade relations with the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America on the basis of sustainable development, to invest in research, and to accelerate its progress towards common defence and the consolidation of global industrial giants; | 1. Calls on the European Union to rise to the current historic challenges by asserting its role as a core defender of democracy, the rule of law, equality and multilateralism through the exercise of strong, value-based global leadership, and by adopting a more assertive and coordinated external approach, in full compliance with the EU’s legal obligation to ensure policy coherence for development; underlines the need to develop sustainable trade and diplomatic relations with the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, to ensure the continuity of development aid, in particular for fragile countries, to invest in research and innovation, and to accelerate progress towards sustainable peace and security; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to work towards establishing a bloc of countries that reject any unequal relationship with China, the United States or both; believes that this would establish a new diplomatic and commercial balance of power, without which we would be unable to defend democracy against powers that reject or turn away from it; | 2. Calls on the European Union and its Member States to foster democracy, the rule of law, gender equality and human rights globally, by strengthening multilateralism and building stronger, mutually beneficial and equal partnerships and coalitions as a means of defending democracy against authoritarian tendencies and totalitarian practices; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 3. Calls on the European Union to form a coalition, a ‘democratic entente’, with those third countries that share the universal values of democracy, which would work to defend democracy and promote international cooperation; stresses that the ‘coalition of the willing’ paves the way for the establishment of such an entente; | 3. Calls on the European Union to increase its support for existing multilateral institutions and frameworks, with the United Nations system at its centre, and to work with like-minded countries to advance and defend democracy, strengthen international cooperation and promote respect for international law; calls on the Commission to support and uphold the role of the ICC as a key pillar of the international rule-of-law framework, in the light of serious attacks on its mandate and mission, recognising the importance of international justice for sustainable development, accountability and lasting peace in partner countries; calls on the Commission to make appropriate use of available EU legal instruments, including the blocking statute, to counter foreign sanctions against the ICC and ensure the continuity and effectiveness of EU support for international justice mechanisms; reiterates its support for the UN Secretary-General’s drive for ‘peace in all its dimensions’ by protecting human rights, deepening social justice, preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable development; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. Calls on the Union to work without delay to promote co-development with African states and the African Union; points out that by 2050, Africa will have a population of two and a half billion people who will need jobs so that they do not attempt to enter Europe illegally; that this co-development will be facilitated by the languages that our continents share; that its financial and environmental cost will be much lower than that of trade with Asia; and that Africa is the future of Europe, just as Europe is the future of Africa; | 5. Recalls that Europe and Africa are closely interconnected through shared global challenges and opportunities; calls on the Union to further develop mutually beneficial and equal partnerships with African states and the African Union with the aim of becoming Africa’s leading partner in trade, investment, development aid, humanitarian assistance, peace and security, energy and digital transformation; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5a. Stresses that the EU should nurture relationships with like-minded countries on all continents; recalls the EU’s efforts to promote and protect democracy and to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 5b. Stresses that the EU’s external cooperation should be guided by respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 6. Calls on the Union to set up a multilingual radio station, website and television channel, to be named ‘The Voice of Europe’, which would enable it to make its voice heard throughout the world; stresses that the necessary budgets and human capital are available, as several Member States have long been funding high-quality international audiovisual services; calls on the European Union to strengthen its support for independent media and journalism beyond the Union’s borders, in line with the objectives of the European Democracy Shield; | 6. Calls for the EU institutions to increase their support for independent, free and pluralistic media and journalism worldwide in order to combat undue pressure, threats and attacks; calls for the EU to make full use of its strategic communication tools to counter disinformation and foreign interference, including by exploring the possibility of establishing a multilingual radio station, website and television channel to promote the EU’s core values worldwide; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 6a. Denounces the backlash against women’s rights and gender equality worldwide, including the rollback of sexual and reproductive health and rights and attacks on women human rights defenders; strongly condemns anti-gender and anti-rights movements that seek to undermine gender equality, women’s rights and democracy; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 8. Stresses the need to set a strict cap on national and European election spending within the Union in order to demonstrate the exemplary character of its democracy internationally, putting the discourse of ideas first over the hype and misleading campaigns that foreign powers are increasingly resorting to; underlines that this defence of the dignity of public debate must also involve the preservation, in each Member State, of politically neutral public broadcasters producing high-quality programmes and fiction; | 8. Stresses the need to address hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, anti-democratic narratives and foreign interference in elections; calls, in this regard, on the Commission, the EU delegations and the Member States to support civic education and efforts to enhance digital literacy and to promote safe and equitable access to digital technologies, in particular by taking measures to close the digital gender divide and protect human rights online; underlines the importance of politically neutral public broadcasters producing high-quality programmes and fiction; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 8a. Calls on the Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Member States to continue strengthening the EU’s EOMs as a key instrument for supporting democratic processes in partner countries, in particular in developing countries, and to ensure that the EU’s EOMs remain independent, impartial and appropriately mandated and resourced throughout the entire electoral cycle, while providing for effective follow-up to their recommendations; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 8b. Urges the EU institutions and the Member States to provide comprehensive assistance to partner countries to prevent and combat corruption by supporting judicial and public administration reform, effective anti-corruption strategies and legal frameworks, including measures on whistleblowers and witness protection; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 11. Considers that, at a time when the Union is asserting itself as a player on the international stage and establishing a common defence policy, European diplomacy must be conducted by an elected political body; suggests that attaching the European External Action Service to the European Council is an option that should be explored; | 11. Underlines the EU policy of preserving peace, preventing conflicts and strengthening international security; underlines the importance of preventive diplomacy; regrets the budgetary cuts affecting the EEAS and highlights their negative impact on the implementation of external action instruments, such as NDICI – Global Europe and Global Gateway; considers that, at a time when the Union is asserting itself as a player on the international stage and establishing a common defence policy, European diplomacy must be ensured globally, including through a strong presence of EU delegations in partner countries; urges the Member States to provide sufficient and predictable financing to the EEAS and the Commission to enable them to fully carry out their mandates in the areas of foreign policy, peace and security, and development cooperation in line with the Treaties and their international commitments, and to maintain a strong EU diplomatic presence worldwide; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 12. Recalls that the Treaty on European Union provides that the Union shall work for ‘the sustainable development of Europe’ and for a ‘a highly competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress’; stresses that the Union’s economic debates should therefore focus on how best to develop a market economy that respects social equity and the environment, and in which the public authorities play the role of arbitrator, both between the short and long term and between the interests of employees and shareholders; considers that this will affirm the Union’s unique identity as a social democracy and restore the vitality of the democratic and social consensus established by the United Nations in the post-war period; considers that affirming this identity will add to the European Union’s prestige across the five continents and to its defence of democracy and social rights, and will generate an exponential increase in interest among its citizens in the debates of the Council and Parliament; | 12. Recalls that the Treaty on European Union commits the Union to sustainable development and social justice, which in turn require development policies and cooperation frameworks that reduce inequalities, provide for universal access to public services, strengthen social protection and promote climate-resilient and inclusive development worldwide; underlines that this development-focused, social and rights-based approach is key to safeguarding democratic governance, enhancing the Union’s global credibility, and mitigating socio-economic tensions that may fuel populism and contribute to lower electoral turnout; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 14. Recalls that academic freedom is essential to teaching and research; calls on the Union to provide itself with the means to become the world’s leading centre of research, to set common priorities for this purpose, and to concentrate all its efforts in a specific region located on the borders of several Member States, in order to create pan-European campuses and educational centres of excellence and to bring together all existing and future institutions involved in its common defence, which is an essential pillar of scientific research; | 14. Recalls that academic freedom and the autonomy of educational institutions are fundamental principles for well-functioning and resilient democracies; calls on the EU to protect academic freedom and the autonomy of educational institutions worldwide; recalls that all EU investments in education must be guided by the key principles of equity and inclusion; calls for increased educational and research exchanges between young people from the EU and non-EU countries to create greater mutual understanding and stronger bonds, which are essential for a lasting and equal partnership, democracy and sustainable development; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission proposal to increase the Erasmus+ budget by around 50 % for the period 2028-2034 and calls for a significant expansion of EU programmes such as Horizon Europe and the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14a. Highlights the vital role played by parliamentary diplomacy in providing support for democratic parliaments and parliaments in democratic transition; calls for the strengthening of Parliament’s parliamentary diplomacy in order to build trust, develop closer ties, reinforce political dialogue with partner countries’ lawmaking bodies, and share best practices on transparency, governance and citizen participation, thereby consolidating the EU’s position as a global advocate for democracy, peace and human rights; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| Advancing sustainable development to strengthen democracy |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 14b. Recalls that democracy is a cornerstone of sustainable development, as it ensures citizens’ participation, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance, which together contribute to the achievement of long-term human, social, economic and environmental development; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14c. Underlines that democracy plays a fundamental role in achieving the SDGs, in particular SDG 10 on reducing inequalities within and among countries and SDG 16 on promoting peace, justice and strong institutions; stresses that the implementation of SDG 16 should be a priority across all development cooperation policies, since peaceful, just and inclusive societies, underpinned by strong, transparent and accountable institutions, are fundamental prerequisites for sustainable development, reducing inequalities and eradicating poverty; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14d. Stresses that independent and pluralistic CSOs, encompassing community-based actors and faith-based entities, are key actors for good governance and development, and are vital to the exercise of fundamental freedoms, human rights, the rule of law, democracy, peace and stability in partner countries; underlines that CSOs are key partners in designing, implementing and monitoring EU policies, programmes and projects across all priority areas of EU development cooperation; stresses that special attention should be given to women’s organisations, as gender equality is indispensable for ensuring inclusive and resilient democracies; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 14e. Calls for the EU to continue promoting a safe and enabling environment for civil society actors and to continue supporting human rights defenders, in line with the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2027; recalls that democracy support, in particular through support for civil society, should be effectively mainstreamed across all NDICI – Global Europe programmes while being tailored to local contexts and priorities; underlines that the thematic programme for CSOs is the only programme under NDICI – Global Europe with a clear actor-based mandate aimed at strengthening CSOs as independent actors of good governance and development in their own right; therefore calls for its implementation in full complementarity with geographic and other thematic programmes; invites the Commission and the EU delegations to further engage with, enhance support for, and recognise the contribution of independent and pluralistic civil society, including grassroots CSOs and local actors, as trusted partners with strong links to local communities; encourages the Commission and the EU delegations to strengthen structured dialogue and cooperation with CSOs, in full respect of national ownership and development effectiveness principles; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14f. Encourages the EU to deepen its commitment to addressing the shrinking civic space and to fostering an enabling environment for civil society, as envisaged in the thematic programme for CSOs, through reinforced policy commitments and by taking significant steps both globally and in partner countries; also stresses the urgent need for greater EU support for human rights defenders and journalists facing the increasing use of digital surveillance technologies, spyware, disinformation campaigns, intimidation, reprisals or criminalisation, and recalls that this support can be provided through means such as dedicated and rapid-response funding mechanisms; calls, in the context of the EU’s external action, for a redoubling of efforts in the struggle against the digital suppression of democratic actors; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to include stronger guarantees in international agreements with regard to civic space, transparency and inclusion, and to ensure the consistent and strict application of human rights and democracy clauses; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14g. Calls for the EU institutions and the Member States to strengthen coordination efforts to address global needs for democracy support, in order to maximise the impact of their actions at a time of decreasing development budgets across the EU and global aid cuts; calls for the EU to focus its democracy-related development support on areas where it can deliver tangible and visible improvements for citizens, thereby reinforcing confidence in democratic governance and countering narratives that seek to undermine democratic systems; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14h. Stresses that the EU’s support for democracy in developing countries should be closely linked to strengthening institutional capacity, including effective public administration, access to justice and transparent public financial management, which constitute essential foundations for accountable governance, citizen trust and sustainable development; calls for the EU to collaborate with international and regional institutions to support institutional reforms and sound governance frameworks; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14i. Calls for the next Global Europe instrument to build on the strengths of the current NDICI – Global Europe by ensuring a strong democracy and human rights dimension within a balanced, integrated and results-oriented sustainable development approach; regrets the fact that the Commission proposal lacks a specific thematic programme and spending targets on democracy and human rights; advocates for democracy to be recognised as a strategic asset in the next Global Europe instrument and as a cross-cutting priority across all geographic and thematic programmes; stresses, in line with the EU’s external policy objectives, that undermining democracy support weakens the Union’s ability to effectively address geopolitical and development challenges and achieve its other external objectives, and creates space for destabilising actors to expand their influence; considers that the resources allocated to the EU’s EOMs must be duly safeguarded and clearly defined in the future Global Europe instrument; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14j. Calls on the Commission, in the context of the new multiannual financial framework, to further strengthen development cooperation programmes aimed at supporting an enabling environment for civil society in partner countries, as an integral pillar of people-centred and rights-based development cooperation; underlines that an independent, responsible and pluralistic civil society plays a key role in protecting civic space, fostering participatory governance, enhancing transparency, accountability and social cohesion, and strengthening societal and democratic resilience, including against authoritarian practices that undermine sustainable development outcomes; calls for long-term, accessible and flexible financing to be guaranteed under the new multiannual financial framework, notably through the Global Europe instrument, to support locally led development initiatives and enable timely responses to risks that affect fundamental freedoms and democratic participation and undermine development effectiveness; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 14k. Notes that the Global Gateway strategy is intended not only as an investment tool, but also as a means of fostering long-term peace and stability; highlights that by addressing the root causes of fragility through inclusive and sustainable investment in infrastructure, education and health, the strategy can strengthen good governance, democratic resilience and social cohesion, thereby contributing to conflict prevention and global security; strongly reiterates that democracy, together with the rule of law, human rights and sustainable development, must be systematically embedded as a cornerstone of all Global Gateway projects, in line with the strategy’s core principles of democratic values, good governance and durable development partnerships; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14l. Stresses that fragile and conflict-affected contexts require special attention and a dedicated EU strategy; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
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| 14m. Underlines the need to mainstream human rights, gender equality and democratic governance throughout EU external action and to pursue these objectives through approaches that enhance effectiveness, sustainability and long-term impact in partner countries; calls on the Commission to continue targeted technical and financial support for women- and youth-led organisations to increase their participation in democratic processes, in line with the YAP and the GAP III; calls for stronger action to counter anti-gender movements, and for the EU to support protection mechanisms, flexible funding and visibility for women human rights defenders under threat worldwide; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14n. Regrets the fact that since the launch of GAP III, only 3.8 % of all gender-responsive and gender-targeted actions have gender equality as a principal objective; calls for the impact and visibility of EU action to be strengthened in this area; calls on the Commission to ensure that at least 85 % of all new external actions integrate gender equality as a significant or principal objective, and that 20 % of official development aid in each country is allocated to programmes with gender equality as the principal objective; stresses the need to adopt a GAP IV; further calls on the Commission and the Member States to allocate 5 % of the aid they provide in fragile and crisis-affected contexts to women-led organisations and women’s rights organisations through flexible and long-term funding, in line with humanitarian and development principles; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14o. Calls for the EU to ensure that development programmes addressing persistent poverty, unemployment and economic exclusion, territorial disparities between urban, rural and remote areas that affect access to services, opportunities and livelihoods in partner countries, as well as resilient food systems and rural development, are fully integrated into its broader approach to supporting democracy; emphasises that inclusive economic development, job creation and access to sustainable livelihoods are key drivers of democratic resilience; |
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 14p. Emphasises that democratic governance in developing countries is particularly vulnerable during periods of crisis, including health emergencies, climate-related disasters and food or energy shocks, as these exacerbate inequalities, displacement and resource scarcity; calls for the EU to integrate democracy-sensitive resilience measures into development cooperation, in order to preserve public trust, institutional continuity and social stability in times of crisis; |
Annex: declaration of input 1 block
The rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Procedure pages and committee votes
How the committees handled the text and how their members voted on it. Collapsed.
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 blocks
14 · For
- EPP
- Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Niels Geuking, Norbert Lins, Lukas Mandl, Liudas Mažylis
- Renew
- Valérie Devaux, Charles Goerens
- S&D
- Robert Biedroń, Udo Bullmann, Murielle Laurent, Leire Pajín, Marco Tarquinio
- The Left
- Damien Carême
- Greens
- Erik Marquardt
Connections
The dossier, the decisions on this text and its other versions.
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Sources & citation
Where the facts on this page come from, and how to cite it.
- Data source
- Licensed CC BY 4.0.
- Retrieved
- 25 September 2026
Cite as
European Parliament (2026). “OPINION on the EU strategy to face the new theories against democracy”. Text, 18 March 2026. docId DEVE-AD-781231. EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/DEVE-AD-781231 (retrieved 25 September 2026). Data: EP Open Data API: document record, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/api/v2/documents/DEVE-AD-781231 (CC BY 4.0).
BibTeX
@misc{epw-text-deve-ad-781231,
author = {{European Parliament}},
title = {{OPINION on the EU strategy to face the new theories against democracy}},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-03-18},
howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/DEVE-AD-781231}},
url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/DEVE-AD-781231},
urldate = {2026-09-25},
publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
note = {Text. docId DEVE-AD-781231. Data: EP Open Data API: document record (CC BY 4.0)}
}