The Congress of the Council of Europe has called on local, regional and national authorities to reorientate their priorities and take a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to tackling foreign interference in electoral processes at local and regional levels. The call features in the conclusions of a thematic adopted on 26 March 2025 at the Congress' plenary session, which warns about the "growing danger of external threats to the free formation of voters' will and to the ability of voters to express these opinions without manipulation or coercion".
The report stresses that the scale, sophistication, and impact of election interference are growing at speed, fuelled by technological advances and rising geopolitical tensions. Grassroots elections are particularly vulnerable as they are often less regulated and protected than national elections. The Congress has witnessed the impact of these in recent elections that it has observed.
Interference can take the shape of illicit financing, information manipulation -including disinformation campaigns, targeted propaganda, and the amplification of divisive narratives - as well as electoral cyberattacks.
Rapporteur Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG) presented the report to the Congress plenary, warning that "through a wide range of corrosive actions, external actors can undermine confidence in democratic institutions and weaken social cohesion, a trend that is clearly visible today".
Regarding solutions, Mr Dickson said:
"We must build resilience at the grassroots level. Subnational and national authorities, civil society, and the media should work together to raise awareness about foreign interference, promote media literacy and voter education, and foster civic engagement. These are essential steps to empower citizens and enable them to better recognise external manipulation".
Also speaking in the debate, Dionisie Ternovschi, President of the District Council of Ungheni (Republic of Moldova) underlined that "Moldova can be a good example for other countries to follow in the fight against foreign and electoral interference, and the main lesson we have learnt is: Never let your guard down."
Mediabox Interview with Stewart Dickson
Foreign interference in electoral processes at local and regional levels
