President Donald Trump’s administration plans to spend at least $25m on civil society groups working on conservative causes in Europe, including $4m to bolster right-wing media.

Another $3m is earmarked for a program to document and analyze democratic backsliding in Europe in connection with mass and illegal migration, the independent media landscape and legislation by supranational entities.

A further $1m would fund a consortium of independent journalists covering issues including national sovereignty, natural rights and religious freedom.

The plans risk deepening tensions between Washington and European governments, some of which have accused the US of interfering in their domestic politics. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said in July that France and Europe would not tolerate foreign interference in their electoral processes.

The State Department said it does not fund political parties and remains committed to defending democracy and human rights. Reuters could not determine which organizations or journalists are likely to receive the grants.

(Reuters, max)