DISINFO: The EU suffers from regression, both democratically and economically
SUMMARY
We hope that the constant regression the European space is currently experiencing, both in terms of democracy, human rights, and the economy, will be halted. We want to become a member of a better EU, not the EU we see today, stated Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
According to the head of government, the echoes of the current tragic situation in the EU are the problems the EU itself has created today, both economically and politically.
The result of the European Union’s loss of sovereignty, according to the head of government, was that the EU economy, which made up 30% of the global economy, fell to 17.5%, a share that continues to decline year after year.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU's imminent collapse, part of what some experts have labelled Russia’s economic war propaganda, which aims to convince audiences about Russia’s economic superiority and the futility of sanctions while ignoring actual data and facts about the EU’s massive economic capabilities.
The claim that the EU is experiencing a constant regression in democracy, human rights, and economy is not supported by evidence. The EU remains a global leader in democracy and human rights, with robust institutions and mechanisms to uphold these values.
The European Union is a democratic block. The EU’s democratic essence is guaranteed through several means, including political representatives at the European Parliament being elected by citizens through direct voting at the European elections, the existence of several institutions and bodies that ensure a full separation of powers, and the establishment of mechanisms for popular legislation through the European Citizens Initiative.
The ‘imminent collapse’ is a much-used disinformation, as detailed in our earlier analysis.
Claims about Europe regression are a massive exaggeration aimed to magnify its alleged economic difficulties and present an apocalyptic image of the situation, while advancing a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about an imminent collapse. While Europe’s economic growth has slowed down compared to the early years of the decade, with the EU’s GDP growth falling from 6.01% in 2021 to 3.48% in 2022 to 0.45% in 2023, it started to slowly grow again in 2024 to 0.9% and is projected to reach 1.1% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026. If the current trajectory remains, the EU will end 2025 being the second biggest economic powerhouse in the world with a combined GDP of 19.99 thousand billion dollars, above China and only behind the US.
The claim that the EU's policies have destroyed the sovereignty of countries is unfounded. The EU's policies aim to create a sustainable future and promote economic growth, and member states retain significant sovereignty while benefiting from collective action.
Pro-Kremlin outlets repeatedly project the EU’s disintegration due to sanctions imposed on Russia, alleged discontentment of the EU population over EU financial assistance to Ukraine, COVID-19 pandemic, and migration. They also claimed that the EU will collapse following the 2024 European Parliament election.
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