The inaugural meeting of the European Parliament's new special committee, the European Democracy Shield (EUDS), faced criticism from independent and right-wing lawmakers excluded from appointments due to a 'cordon sanitaire'. MEP Nathalie Loiseau was elected chair, while far-right factions were sidelined. Patriots for Europe, the third-largest group, expressed outrage over their exclusion, calling the process undemocratic. The committee aims to address foreign and domestic interference in democratic processes. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)