Protecting the European Parliamentary Elections: Lessons Learned From The 2019 Presidential Elections In Ukraine

Abstract

During the present decade the foreign authoritarian influence in democratic processes – including in national elections and referendums – has become the norm. The few recent cases are Brexit, the presidential election in France, parliamentary election in Germany, presidential and mid-term congressional elections in the United States, as well as referendums in Catalonia, Spain, and the Netherlands. Europeans are increasingly concerned about the possible influence on and interference of Russia in the upcoming European Parliamentary elections that will be held on 23-26 May 2019 in the 28 EU member states. In this broader context, we will elucidate the key hybrid tactics and tools of Russia aimed at undermining the Ukrainian state during the election period in the country; and identify key lessons that should be applied for enhancing the protection of the European Parliamentary elections.