A Polish prime minister saying he's ashamed of his Polish identity. A flood of migrants assaulting people on the streets of Bulgaria's capital. The grandmother of a top European official shaking hands with Adolf Hitler. All of these are fake stories; part of what European officials say is a surge in disinformation ahead of next month's European elections. Much of it comes from Russia, without love.
The goal is to confuse voters and sow distrust, doubt and division about the election process – and about democracy itself.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – the one whose grandmother never shook Hitler's hand – has promised to set up a "European Democracy Shield," if she's re-elected for a second term, in order to fight back against foreign meddling.
But is Europe's fight against fake stories like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon?
We discuss what's at stake with two MEPs.
Programme prepared by Isabelle Romero, Perrine Desplats, Anaïs Boucher and Sophie Samaille
