The European Union has begun shaping its own statute aimed at foreign agents. Policy reports indicate that the proposal would compel public bodies to disclose funding sources from outside the bloc, a move framed as transparency in the face of foreign influence. The legislation remains in early development, with officials signaling that it will draw inspiration from foreign agent regimes already in force abroad, including models in the United States and Australia.
In the United States, the Foreign Agents Registration Act requires lobbyists and intermediaries working on behalf of foreign governments to register with the federal government. This regime, established in 1938, seeks to illuminate who is advocating for foreign interests within American politics and public life. EU negotiators are weighing how closely to mirror this framework while adapting it to European institutions and civil society. (Politico)
Analysts cited by policy observers suggest the EU version is unlikely to target individual citizens directly. Instead, the approach appears to aim at organizations, including both for profit firms and non profit groups, that participate in outreach, lobbying, or public campaigns on behalf of foreign actors. The goal is to ensure ownership of funding streams and reduce covert influence within public decision making. (Policy review)
The discussion follows a broader pattern seen in other regions where nations seek greater scrutiny over who pays for policy advocacy. In this context, the EU plan would require clear reporting from entities that receive or route funds tied to foreign sources, helping authorities map influence networks and assess risk exposure for policy integrity. The draft has sparked debates about civil liberties, the scope of permissible information sharing, and the balance between transparency and privacy. (EU briefing)
Earlier reporting highlighted regional dynamics, including similar debates in neighboring Georgia where parliament considered a foreign agents law. When the Georgian chamber voted against the measure, large demonstrations erupted in Tbilisi, illustrating how such proposals can provoke robust public response. The EU proposal is watching these outcomes closely as it moves through its own legislative process. (Georgian Parliament coverage)