Disinformation Surrounding the European Elections: An Overview of Trends in the SEE Region

FreePik

By: Maida Salkanović

Before and during the European Union (EU)’s latest electoral process, the spread of disinformation became a critical concern, including in Southeastern Europe (SEE). In an area marked by historical tensions and political sensitivities, false narratives surrounding the 2024 European Elections have not only misled citizens but also reflected deeper issues of mistrust and manipulation within the region’s media landscape. This trend underscores the urgent need for cross-border collaboration in combating disinformation, as the region’s future within the EU remains in a delicate balance.

The European Elections, held between June 6 and 9, 2024, were a pivotal moment for the European Union (EU). Over 450 million citizens from 27 member states participated in electing 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), marking a significant event in the continent’s political landscape. The European People’s Party (EPP), led by Ursula von der Leyen, emerged as the leading force, while centrist, liberal, social democrat, and environmentalist parties suffered losses. In contrast, anti-EU right-wing populist parties gained ground, reflecting shifting political dynamics within the EU.

However, alongside the information about the election, disinformation spread across the continent, highlighting various issues rooted in national and regional contexts. According to data from the Elections24Check project by European fact-checking standards networks (EFCSN), which monitors and debunks electoral disinformation across the EU, the most frequent disinformation topics included Ukraine war (403), climate change (380), national or regional context issues (340 entries), EU-related politics (260).

Other common subjects were migration (232), Covid-19 (212), and the Israel-Gaza conflict (201).

SEE Check members—Fake News Tragač, Faktograf, Raskrinkavanje.ba, Raskrinkavanje.me, and Razkrinkavanje.si—are collaborating in the Elections24Check project to tackle these disinformation challenges, working together to provide citizens with accurate and verified information. Their collective efforts are crucial in maintaining the integrity of information in the region, particularly as the SEE countries navigate their relationships with the EU, with Croatia and Slovenia as current members and several others as candidate countries.

In SEE countries, disinformation took on local flavors, often mirroring broader geopolitical narratives. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, for instance, disinformation centered around claims that the European Parliament was unfamiliar with the electoral process and involved misleading narratives about Croatian elections. Additionally, disinformation spread by regional leaders, such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s distorted remarks about historical resolutions and genocide, further fueled regional tensions.

Serbia faced significant disinformation challenges during the European Elections, particularly surrounding sensitive political topics that resonate deeply with its national identity and geopolitical stance. One prominent false claim circulated was that the European Parliament had passed a resolution demanding sanctions against Russia and the formal recognition of Kosovo. This narrative was designed to exploit Serbia’s historical ties with Russia and its ongoing refusal to recognize Kosovo’s independence, which remains a contentious issue within the country. The disinformation aimed to stir public sentiment against the EU by suggesting that Serbia was being pressured to abandon its traditional allies and accept political decisions that contradict its national interests.

In Albania, disinformation also played on local political dynamics and ethnic sensitivities, notably through misleading reports about the candidacy of Albanian-origin individuals in the European Parliament. One such instance involved false claims regarding the candidacy of Muharrem Salihu, an entrepreneur living in Italy, who was inaccurately presented in the media as the first Albanian-origin candidate for MEP. This disinformation ignored the fact that Arba Kokalari, an Albanian-Swedish politician, had already been elected as an MEP in 2019. Such narratives were likely intended to influence the Albanian diaspora’s perception of their representation within the EU, playing into broader themes of national pride and ethnic identity.

These examples illustrate how disinformation in the SEE region often taps into deep-seated historical, political, and ethnic issues, exploiting them to create divisions and influence public opinion. The spread of such narratives not only misinforms citizens but also has the potential to disrupt regional stability and the countries’ paths towards European integration.

In both Croatia and Slovenia, disinformation during the European Elections was strategically focused on national issues, often involving migration policies and the relationship between these countries and the European Union. This disinformation was designed to exploit public fears and political sensitivities.

In Croatia, false claims centered on the idea that the country would be forced to accept tens of thousands of migrants under EU directives. This narrative tapped into existing concerns about national sovereignty and immigration, exacerbating public anxiety about losing control over Croatia’s borders and demographic composition. Additionally, there were misleading reports about the inefficient use of EU funds and various domestic political controversies, all intended to undermine trust in the government and its ability to manage Croatia’s role within the EU.

In Slovenia, disinformation also prominently featured migration issues, alongside false claims about EU policies and domestic governance. For example, one significant piece of disinformation was spread by SDS parliament member Branko Grims, who claimed that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had ruled that Spain could legally reject all migrants crossing its borders en masse without individual assessments. Grims argued that this precedent implied that migrants involved in group border crossings lost their right to individual legal consideration. This narrative was aimed at fueling skepticism and resistance toward EU migration policies, portraying them as inconsistent and unfairly punitive towards Slovenia.

Disinformation campaigns also targeted EU agricultural policies, falsely claiming that the vast majority of EU funds intended for Slovenian agriculture were being siphoned off by large, foreign-owned farms at the expense of local, small-scale farmers. This narrative was crafted to fuel discontent among the rural population and to challenge the Slovenian government’s alignment with EU agricultural reforms. Another prominent piece of disinformation suggested that the European Parliament had condemned the Slovenian government, implying that Slovenia was being singled out and penalized by the EU for its domestic policies. 

These disinformation trends in Croatia and Slovenia highlight the complex interplay between national politics and EU membership, where local issues are often framed within the broader context of European integration. As the SEE region continues to navigate its complex relationship with the EU, the proliferation of disinformation serves as both a symptom and a challenge. It underscores the importance of fostering a well-informed electorate capable of discerning fact from fiction in an era of heightened political polarization and digital disinformation.

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