Brussels – The United States is reportedly willing and ready to influence elections in Europe. Whether leaks, rumours, or speculation, the spectre of a US threat — and of its president Donald Trump — in the EU's decision‑making process is circulating online, becoming a concern in the European Parliament. Fabio De Masi, a non-attached MEP, asks whether the European Commission is prepared to respond to threats from a former ally. While elections are Member States' competence, Commissioner Michael Mc Grath assures the Commission is intensifying support to enhance electoral integrity and minimise risks of foreign interference. Mc Grath never explicitly rules out the US as a problem, implying threats no longer relate solely to Russia and China but also to Trump's United States. The Commission will investigate potentially harmful US funding seeking to influence pre-election debate.

The risk of US intervention in EU member state elections is not remote. Elon Musk, owner of X and Tesla and former Trump adviser, campaigned for Germany's far-right AfD. US Vice-President J.D. Vance urged Hungarians to vote for Viktor Orbán. Trump attacked Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez. 2027 is crucial: German presidential election (30 January), Estonian parliament election (7 March), French presidential election (April) — with Emmanuel Macron unable to run and far-right RN poised to gain.