Tomas Tobé: EU Democracy Shield must get much tougher on Russia and foreign interference
He stressed that troll farms in Saint Petersburg and bot networks are not protected free speech.
Democracy
Latest reporting and analysis on democracy.
Left-wing violence surges over 42 per cent in Germany
Attacks on police officers were also driven almost exclusively by left-wing perpetrators.
Hampshire police drafted statement portraying stabbed teen Henry Nowak as aggressor after his death
The force only abandoned this wording after strong objections from Nowak’s grieving family.
Dutch ‘Pelicot Case’ shocks Netherlands: Four men arrested for drugging and raping their wives
The arrests, announced today by Dutch police, are part of a major ongoing investigation.
UK PM says Elon Musk ‘trying to whip up division’ over student’s murder
Following anger over the police handling of the murder of a white student, Henry Nowak.
Croatia clears way for late-night alcohol bans to tackle drunk tourists
The change follows years of complaints from residents.
Jailed Gagauzia leader publishes prison letters as Moldova weighs her appeal
Prosecutors said she had funnelled undeclared money from Russia between 2019 and 2022 to finance the party.
EU extends Russia human rights sanctions until 2027
The measures include the freezing of assets and a ban on entering or transiting through EU territory for those on the list.
Pope Leo XIV urges ‘fast from AI’ in first encyclical
The first US pope presented ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ (‘Magnificent Humanity’) in person at the Vatican, alongside AI experts.
Italy and Spain demand EU sanctions on Israeli minister Ben-Gvir
Both requests have followed a video published by Ben-Gvir on Wednesday in which dozens of activists are seen forced to kneel on the ground.
Harsh Israeli treatment of flotilla activists causes global outrage
Several countries have joined calls for an independent investigation.
Merkel receives Order of Merit of the European Parliament, calls for more control of social media
The European Parliament has conferred its inaugural European Order of Merit on a group of high-profile figures, including former German chancellor Angela Merkel,…
German prosecutors charge paediatrician with 130 child sex abuse offences
Most of the offences are alleged to have been committed while the doctor was working at hospitals in Rathenow and Nauen.
German Green leader says soldiers can ‘desert’ under AfD defence minister
He stressed his political work was aimed at preventing any AfD role in power.
‘EU should consider social media ban for children,’ says EC chief
The European Union should explore limiting children's access to social media with possible new rules proposed within months, European Commission President Ursula…
‘Big Tech must be held accountable like traditional media,’ says German media minister
Germany’s Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media Wolfram Weimer has called for tighter oversight of how information is distributed online.
Why the European Right keeps rising
The four-and-a-half-hour interview that Björn Höcke, the AfD leader in Thuringia and enfant terrible of German domestic politics, gave to the German podcaster…
Think taxes are too high in the EU? You must be a conspiracy theorist, according to the EC
The European Commission is being ridiculed for a meme portraying people critical of the European Union’s development as conspiracy theorists.
Sweden plans electronic bracelets to monitor children at risk of gang recruitment
Criminal gangs in Sweden have increasingly recruited children and teenagers to carry out murders and other violent acts.
Greenland PM condemns ‘indecent’ US cash offer for annexation petition
Jens-Frederik Nielsen has condemned as "indecent" reported attempts by a US national to pay locals $200,000 (€186,000) each to sign a petition calling for Greenland…
Armenian activists accuse EU of “hypocrisy” over biased human rights stance favouring pro-EU allies
“It is hypocritical for the EU to support democracy, human rights, and a dignified life for Ukrainians in their own country, but not for Armenians.
Tech has broken our entire world model, but we are in denial
Geopolitics is in flux, history has “returned”, there is war, political upheaval and technological disruption everywhere: These matters command an overwhelming…
Polish world record fundraising stream highlights Tusk’s broken promises on health
Poland’s influencer Patryk “Łatwogang” Garkowski emerged after a nine day fundraiser for the Cancer Fighters foundation as the most successful charity streamer…
Neither bombs nor reformist illusions will deliver freedom in Iran
The Iranian situation is as dangerous as it is misunderstood. A fragile ceasefire hangs by a thread. The region remains volatile.
Italy’s Liberation Day marred by clashes over Israel and Ukraine
Italy’s Liberation Day celebrations were shaken by tensions as demonstrations marking April 25 — the anniversary of the country’s liberation from Fascist rule…
German Conservatives team up with hard left to change Saxony-Anhalt constitution ahead of AfD win
The State parliament of Saxony-Anhalt has approved a major reform of the eastern German state’s constitution — supposedly aimed at “strengthening democracy”…
Macron calls on Brussels to extend censorship to lock down 2027
On April 17, the press revealed that the Élysée Palace is pressing the European Commission to revise the guidelines of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in order…
Italian Senate President calls to honour fascist soldiers on Liberation Day
Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa said that, in the context of this year’s Liberation Day celebrations on April 25, it would be appropriate to also commemorate…
Spanish PM Sánchez launches global Left alliance in Barcelona, bypassing Brussels
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has used a two-day summit in Barcelona to launch a global Left alliance that turned its back on the European Union's main capitals,…
German survey finds Greens voters least tolerant of differing opinions
Supporters of Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens are the most likely among the country’s main political groups to say they become annoyed when confronted with…