Brussels ridiculed over plans to start allowing influencers to cover summits - but only if they're Europhiles, with anyone anti-EU set to be banned

Published: 17:05, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 17:05, 25 June 2026 Brussels was ridiculed today over plans to start allowing influencers to cover summits - but only if they’re Europhiles. Eurocrats have issued guidance to EU capitals on which YouTubers, TikTokers and Instagramers should be allowed to shoot and post about the bloc’s unelected officials in action. But a leaked copy reveals anyone who has ‘published views against EU values’ should be banned. Critics said it was a blatant attempt to shut down free speech and prevent more countries from leaving the bloc - or entice Britain into rejoining - amid a rise in the popularity of Right-wing and euroskeptic parties across the Continent. There has been growing talk in recent years of a potential Frexit, Dexit or Italexit - slang for France, Germany and Italy’s version of Brexit - as euroskeptic parties are increasingly on the march. Tory MP and veteran Brexiteer Mark Francois said: ‘It’s typical of the EU that they are now encouraging the use of influencers - but only once they’ve influenced them first! ‘Given that it would cost us £28 billion a year - without the rebate- to rejoin the EU, it’s going to take a lot more than a couple of glitzy TikTok videos to persuade us to give up the right to run our own country.’ Dutch influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek would likely be banned under the plans, as she has used her platform to criticise the EU’s environment and immigration policies  Silvia Bernal is a Spanish influencer who has criticised the bloc’s Net Zero policies and red tape on the agricultural sector  Yanis Varoufakis, a former Greek politician, has become a prominent podcaster and has criticised the EU for being undemocratic   Under the plans, influencers would be allowed to start covering summits of EU leaders and officials from next month, something which until now has been limited to qualified and accredited journalists from bona fide media outlets. Nations among the EU’s 27 members, which are yet to sign off the plans, should recruit influencers whose social media accounts have a ‘significant audience’ relative to their country’s population, the leaked guidance adds. They should also have a track record of creating content about politics, specifically the EU. As well as being a Europhile, they must not have any ‘significant or long-standing commercial collaborations’ to avoid links with large brands. No names are mentioned, but it is likely that figures such as Dutch influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek would be banned. She has 1.2million followers on Instagram and has used her platform to promote British politicians such as Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe while criticising the EU’s environment and immigration policies and emphasising the importance of national sovereignty. Spanish influencer Silvia Bernal and Greek former politician Yanis Varoufakis would also likely face bans. The former has nearly 30,000 followers in Instagram and has used social media to criticise the bloc’s Net Zero policies and red tape on the agricultural sector. Following his career in politics, Mr Varoufakis has become a digital podcaster with a large following and uses his platform to rail against the EU for being anti-democratic. Chiara Gerngrosz, however, would likely be allowed. The German influencer was named by Brussels as one of the top ten EU influencers and has posted about the need to ‘strengthen our European identity’ at the expense of national identities. The European Union holds regular summits - known as meetings of the European Council - at least four times a year The European Union holds regular summits - known as meetings of the European Council - at least four times a year, chaired by the European Council and attended by the EU Commission  The European Union holds regular summits - known as meetings of the European Council - at least four times a year  It comes as politicians increasingly look at new ways in which they can reach voters amid the rise in popularity of social media and smartphone apps. UK ministers have thrown open the doors of Downing Street to influencers, podcasters and social media creators in recent months, in an attempt to reach voters who increasingly consume politics through TikTok clips and long-form podcasts rather than traditional news. Creators with audiences ranging from 500,000 to more than three million have been invited to budget briefings, overseas summits, one-to-one interviews with ministers and even press conferences. The approach was on display when Chancellor Rachel Reeves stepped out to warn of hard choices before last year’s Budget. Alongside the familiar ranks of political editors were Cameron Smith and Abi Foster, content creators better known for TikTok explainers and personal finance videos than Westminster briefings, but who between them command millions of followers. The International Press Association, which represents reporters covering European institutions, has condemned Brussels’ move. A spokesman said: ‘Clicks, views and impressions are great on TikTok and Instagram. But the basic fact remains: influencers in press conferences and at summits will not have to disclose who pays them. ‘By contrast, EU-accredited journalists are not expected to accept payment in return for writing nice stories. It’s sort of called journalistic ethics.’ An EU Council spokesman confirmed that influencers would be ‘accompanied at all times and will not be treated as media, including when it comes to accreditation or access to media opportunities.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. 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