EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath, attended the first meeting of the Renew Europe Group in European Committee of the Regions (CoR) of the new 2025-2030 mandate on 19 February 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The Commissioner’s presence reinforces the growing partnership between subnational authorities and EU institutions.
Commissioner McGrath’s participation highlighted the critical role of local and regional governance in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the EU today. In a discussion with liberal and democrat members, he presented his portfolio and covered a broad range of issues, from democratic resilience and disinformation to consumer protection, security, and geopolitical threats.
Gillian Coughlan (Cork County Councillor, Ireland) welcomed the Commissioner, whom she has known for many years, and emphasized the importance of a “democratic shield” to safeguard citizens’ rights, particularly in combating disinformation and misinformation. She highlighted the need for stronger protections for younger generations and stressed that the social dimension of democracy must not be overlooked. In relation to this, Anne Rudisuhli (Departmental Councillor of Bouches-du-Rhône, France), Renew Europe’s Social Affairs Coordinator, raised concerns about destabilization attempts from global powers, including China and the United States, that seek to weaken the EU and undermine its values. She pointed to the rise of extremism, online hate and terrorism, asking whether the European Commission would consider creating a dedicated agency to combat these threats and protect children on social media. Mirja Vehkaperä (Mayor of Oulu, Finland) and Renew Europe Vice-President echoed these concerns, pointing out the link between disinformation and public fear of the future. She urged Commissioner McGrath to find ways to build trust at the local level, reinforcing the idea that democracy must be protected from the ground up.
In relation to geopolitical challenges, Urmas Klaas (Mayor of Tartu, Estonia) focused on the security risks posed by Chinese technology and social media platforms such as TikTok. He questioned the current lack of consumer protections against such threats and sought clarification on the timeframe for implementing EU-wide security measures. Clare Colleran Molloy (Clare County Councillor, Ireland) on the other hand, drew attention to the geopolitical landscape, citing concerns over a potential US-Russia deal that excludes Ukraine and the EU, as well as broader implications of recent political shifts in the United States. She warned of threats to the rule of law in Europe and the importance of defending European democratic values. Karīna Miķelsone (Adazi Municipality Councillor, Latvia), Renew Europe First Vice-President representing the Baltic perspective, spoke about the alarming security threats at the EU’s outer borders, particularly in proximity to Russia. She asked what further measures could be taken to enhance protection in these vulnerable regions, where fear of the war in Ukraine escalating beyond its border is a daily worry for European citizens.
The discussion with Commissioner McGrath featured several other interventions, such as by Ivan Gulam (Mayor of Pirovac, Croatia) who highlighted the importance of a robust anti-corruption framework. He brought up the recent demonstrations in Serbia and questioned how Commissioner McGrath’s office could assist in ensuring transparency in the use of public funds across the EU and its enlargement process. François-Xavier Priollaud (Mayor of Louviers, France) turned the discussion to drug trafficking and inquired about potential EU-led initiatives to curb organized crime while upholding European values.
Commissioner McGrath’s engagement with the Renew Europe Group at the European Committee of the Regions was a powerful demonstration of the EU’s commitment to closer cooperation with local and regional authorities. His participation in this milestone meeting reinforced the idea that democracy and security are not just top-down initiatives but must be shaped collectively by all levels of governance. As the EU navigates an increasingly complex global landscape, the collaboration between EU Institutions and local leaders will be more crucial than ever in ensuring a secure, democratic, and resilient Europe for all citizens.
