Foreign interference in domestic politics and elections has become one of the most contentious issues facing contemporary democracies. This plenary session brings together leading international experts to critically examine the scale, forms, and consequences of cross-border political influence.
The topic has triggered official investigations by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. It has generated political controversy in countries ranging from the United States and the United Kingdom to France, Germany, Moldova, Canada, and across Scandinavia. While Russia, China, and the United States are frequently cited as major actors, the panel will challenge simplified narratives and explore a wider and more complex landscape of influence.
Key Themes
- Many channels of foreign political influence beyond illegal campaign financing, including media ownership, think tanks, academia, lawfare, and post-office incentives
- Legal grey areas in election law and political finance regulation, and oversight difficulties
- Role of smaller neighbouring states, diaspora communities, religious networks, and ideological alliances
- Cases where external engagement contributed positively to democratic change
- Assessment of whether social media and digital technologies have fundamentally increased foreign political interference
Invited Speakers
- Nigel Baker — Chargé d’Affaires a.i., British Embassy Ljubljana; former ambassador to Bolivia, The Vatican, and Slovakia
- Gordan Akrap — Vice rector Franjo Tudman Defense and Security University, Zagreb; associate fellow Bonn University CASSIS programme; president Hybrid Warfare Research Institute; member Croatian Parliament’s council for civilian oversight of security and intelligence agencies
- Paul Father — Retired fellow Corpus Christi College and Mansfield College, University of Oxford; founding CEO Central European University; founding general secretary The Europaeum; awarded 2020 ‘Jan Masaryk Silver Medal’
- Marcin Walecki — Former senior advisor political finance, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (Washington); head democratization OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (Warsaw); senior resident country director Ukraine, National Democratic Institute (NDI, Washington); visiting fellow St Antony’s College, University of Oxford
- Michael Pinto-Duschinsky — Retired research fellow Merton College and Pembroke College, University of Oxford and Brunel University of London