Photo: Christophe Licoppe, © European Union, 2025 – source: EC Audiovisual Service
Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, has once again defended the usefulness of the 72-hour survival kit she presented just over a month ago, which drew widespread attention for the way it was communicated. The energy crisis that affected Spain and Portugal last week serves as a fresh example of how fear has become the primary political fuel for justifying whatever measures Brussels deems necessary in a ‘time of crisis.’ Lahbib described the blackout as “the most serious in Europe in the last two decades” and stressed the importance of citizens being prepared to act independently during the first hours of any crisis.
In an interview with El Mundo, Lahbib explained that the EU’s strategy not only seeks to prepare the population for blackouts or other natural disasters but also for risks such as cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, or technological threats. “These events are increasingly frequent and unpredictable. They can overwhelm emergency services in the first hours,” she noted.
The core of her message, however, focused on managing information during crises. The commissioner emphasized that one of the main challenges is the spread of rumors and false news, which, she explained, complicates the institutional response and generates social uncertainty. “Clear and inclusive communication is essential, both before a crisis and during it,” Lahbib stated. She added that the European Commission is developing awareness campaigns and will enable Member States to use the Galileo system to send direct alerts to the population.
This emphasis on combating disinformation is not new and aligns with the EU’s latest legislative initiatives on digital control. These include the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Critical Entities Resilience Directive, which strengthen the obligation of digital platforms to monitor, limit, and remove content considered false or potentially dangerous. Although the stated goal is to combat disinformation and protect public safety, these measures raise serious concerns of censorship and the curtailment of freedom of expression in the name of security.
Lahbib insisted on the need to strengthen community preparedness not only in material terms, but also in terms of communication. “Part of being prepared is, for example, knowing your neighbor so that if this person is vulnerable or has a disability, you think of them,” she stressed, calling for citizen solidarity.
The EU’s package of measures also foresees cooperation between Member States to share best practices and coordinate their efforts in times of crisis. However, experts warn that the increasing centralization of crisis management and the expansion of control over public information could lead to a scenario where the plurality of voices is restricted at critical moments.