BRUSSELS, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Europe is looking to online

platforms and influencers to help fight disinformation and

promote democracy according to a European Commission strategy

presented on Wednesday amid concerns over interference by

foreign governments in national elections.

Alphabet's Google, Microsoft ( MSFT ), Meta

Platforms ( META ), Elon Musk's X, TikTok and other online

platforms already have to do more to tackle illegal and harmful

content under the EU's Digital Services Act in force since 2022.

The European Democracy Shield strategy expects them to go

the extra mile, with the EU executive setting up a DSA incidents

and crisis protocol to facilitate coordination between

authorities and react swiftly to large-scale operations.

Signatories to a voluntary Code of Conduct on

disinformation, among them Google, Microsoft ( MSFT ), Meta and TikTok,

may be required to make a greater effort to detect and label

AI-generated and manipulated content on their platforms.

"The Democracy Shield connects the dots, making sure

Europe's tools and actors work together effectively in defence

of our shared values. The challenge is clear and let us make no

mistake, the stakes are indeed very high," EU Justice

Commissioner Michael McGrath told a news conference.

The Commission also singled out influencers' role in online

political campaigns, saying it would set up a voluntary network

of influencers to raise awareness of relevant EU rules.

A newly set-up European Centre for Democratic Resilience

will coordinate EU countries' expertise and resources and

facilitate information sharing.