European Parliament Discussions on U.S. Rule of Law and Elections
This week, Strasbourg will see the European Parliament tackle some rather contentious topics. Among the most pressing issues for European leaders? State violence in Minneapolis alongside the rule of law within the United States.
It’s a bit ironic, isn’t it? While the EU critiques the U.S. on these grounds, there are reports suggesting that Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission has, over the last two years, attempted to meddle in eight parliamentary and presidential elections in various EU nations, including two in the Netherlands, where I’m from.
It seems this concern is viewed as rather straightforward by Europe’s political landscape.
Recently, the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled a report examining a long-term censorship issue in Europe. In the course of this investigation, the committee has sent subpoenas to ten tech companies in the U.S. to share their correspondence with foreign entities, including the EU.
The findings claim that the EU has leveraged the Digital Services Act (DSA) to pressure tech firms into removing content labeled as disinformation, a term often used for posts criticizing the EU establishment.
Non-compliance with EU regulations can lead to substantial fines, highlighting the potential consequences. For example, last December, X faced an astonishing €120 million fine from Brussels.
What topics do you think were off-limits in the discussion? Interestingly, Europar didn’t even get a chance to vote on considering the House committee’s findings.
The committee believes that since the DSA took effect in 2023, the EU has tried to suppress free speech during every European election. They express worry about similar situations arising in the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Romania, Slovakia, and even Moldova—although the latter is not actually an EU member. It seems Brussels feels entitled to comment on “disinformation risks” there, just as they might with their neighbors.
The House of Commons committee asserts that the European Commission has sought to stifle truthful information on key policy debates, including matters such as the pandemic and immigration. If that holds water, the repercussions could be quite serious. Shouldn’t we at least be allowed to address these issues? If the EU is blocking such conversations, one might wonder what they are trying to conceal.
My political party, the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV), which often criticizes the EU’s stance on various matters, cannot stand idly by while unelected bureaucrats manipulate discussions that should reflect the wishes of voters.
Considering that the pro-EU D66 party narrowly defeated the PVV by a mere 0.2% in the October 2025 elections, it’s possible that without the EU’s interference, the outcome might have been different. I could be the Prime Minister now instead of the current mainstream candidate.
Indeed, the prospect of an unelected European Commission meddling in democratic elections presents a more significant threat to democracy than the political climate in the U.S. It reminds me of a comment by Vice President J.D. Vance from last year in Munich, noting that European elites seem uncomfortable with divergent opinions or electoral outcomes.
It’s essential to put an end to the speech suppression and regulations imposed by the EU’s authorities. The DSA is essentially about controlling the narrative within our societies. If the U.S. could shield American tech companies from the DSA’s pressure, it would indeed bolster free speech across Europe. Much like eight decades ago, America has the potential to liberate us from oppression.
As a European patriot, I truly appreciate how America has historically protected our freedom of expression and upheld our rights to fair elections, free from the grasp of Brussels.
