Thread by @AtlanticCouncil

THREAD

US and European politicians, led by Senators @MarkWarner and @MarcoRubio, came together to call for tough measures to fight foreign interference in our democratic elections.

Read their communiqué in full at atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atla…

#RussiaFactor @ACEurasia

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Signatories to the July 16 Communiqué—@MarkWarner @MarcoRubio @EmilioCarelli @Mcederfelt @DamianCollins @EileenDonahoe @beynate @HopkoHanna @n_jaresko @Ojars_E_Kalnins @JanLipavsky @IanCLucas @KeitPentus @bobzimmermp Anna Fotyga & Dr. Hryhoriy Nemyria. #RussiaFactor @ACEurasia 2/

The Communiqué’s first recommendation deals with how foreign election interference infringes citizens’ fundamental democratic right to representation. #RussiaFactor @ACEurasia 3/

Recommendation two of the Communiqué identifies the means by which foreign interference has impacted democratic elections: fake information, amplifying divisive news, leaking sensitive info, covert funding of candidates, and targeting voting systems.

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Recommendation three covers the roles governments, legislatures, social media companies, and civil society should play in raising awareness of foreign election interference.

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Recommendation four urges executive branches in the US, Canada, and European countries develop strategic to increase election security and combat electoral interference.

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The July 16 Communiqué welcomes national debates and votes on “non-partisan legislative initiatives to build resilience of electoral systems and to counter foreign interference” in its fifth recommendation.

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The July 16 Communiqué urges governments and legislatures to allocate funding to counter election interference and disinformation, including empowering civil society to monitor and report on such malign interference.

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In its seventh recommendation, the July 16 Communiqué urges technology companies to cooperate with governments and civil society organizations to combat the growing threat of interference and disinformation to democratic electoral processes.

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The July 16 Communiqué supports sustained Transatlantic cooperation to share information on risks, vulnerabilities, and best practices to counter foreign election interference.

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Finally, the July 16 Communiqué recommends imposing “heavy costs” on Russia if the Kremlin’s interference in elections continues.

The Council thanks Senators @MarkWarner and @MarcoRubio for their bi-partisan leadership of this effort.

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