German city of Rostock buys old town properties for €650,000 to house punks
The city government of Rostock in Mecklenburg, Germany, has acquired two houses in the historic city centre to allow a group of punks to continue living there cheaply.
Democracy
Latest reporting and analysis on democracy.
US bigwig Miller vows dismantling of alleged ‘vast domestic terror network’ after Charlie Kirk shooting
Senior White House official Stephen Miller vowed that the administration of US President Donald Trump would dismantle an alleged "vast domestic terror movement"…
I was with Trump in the Oval Office when news came that Charlie Kirk died
In an astounding coincidence, as the news arrived that Charlie Kirk, founder and head of the enlightened traditionalist movement Turning Point USA, had been assassinated,…
Trump secures release of 52 political prisoners from Belarus
A total of 52 political prisoners have been freed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko following an intervention by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Unions slam state-owned France 2 for bias in “block everything” demonstration coverage
France's CGT union slammed state-owned France 2 and its news anchor Léa Salamé for a "pitiful newcast" covering widespread 10 September demonstrations across the…
European politicians and pundits react to fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk
The murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent US Republican activist and close ally of President Donald Trump, has shocked many in Europe and the US.
The Lisbon funicular disaster is further evidence that Europe is falling apart
Lisbon’s Elevador da Glória has long been one of the Portuguese capital’s most beloved landmarks. It has now become infamous.
Careers on the line as France braces for nationwide protests
French interior minister Bruno Retailleau has downplayed the likelihood of large-scale demonstrations during a nationwide strike planned for September 10, even as…
Polish judicial system in disarray after ‘destructive’ ECJ ruling
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the Supervisory Chamber of the Polish Supreme Court’s verdicts are invalid because that judicial body does not…
Looming budget crises means the Right needs more than just immigration policy
It is far from ground-breaking to say that the populist Right is surging across the West.
Crash of famous Lisbon funicular kills 17 people, injures 21
A famous Lisbon funicular has derailed, killing at least 17 people and injuring 21 in one of the Portuguese capital's most popular tourist spots, officials and media…
German Chancellor Merz ups pressure on Social Democrats in push for welfare cuts
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) is ramping up pressure on his coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to consent…
Czech ex-prime minister Babiš attacked during campaign rally
Former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš has been attacked during an election rally.
Finnish Air Force to remove swastikas from its flags
Finland's Air Force is to remove swastikas from its flags after they caused "awkward situations" with its western allies in NATO.
Terror attack on Magdeburg Christmas market was ‘preventable’, report finds
The deadly attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market in December 2024 could have been prevented if proper security measures had been in place, according to an expert…
Suppressing free speech and free votes: EU intent on crippling democratic resilience
The EU is justly proud of the liberal democracies it nurtured as it expanded beyond its original founding members.
France to sue Kick platform for ‘negligence’ after livestream death
France will sue the Australian streaming platform Kick for "negligence" after a user died during a livestream, a government minister said on Tuesday.
EU health risks from mosquito-borne diseases ‘unprecedented’
Tiger mosquitoes are spreading across Europe, bringing record levels of mosquito-borne disease — and Belgium shows how quickly the trend can strain public health.
Zelensky: Not much of a democrat, is he? Denies Ukraine vote, West does not care
Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s wartime president, claims to embody democracy, but governs as a solo act.
The melancholy of modernity leaves too many of us unmoored, disconnected
Western civilisation still has not satisfyingly answered a key question that arose as a consequence of modernity and industrialisation: How do we reconcile the promise…
Hundreds dead in Bangladesh as social media becomes the new executioner
This is not just a follow-up report on a country spiralling out of control into the abyss of violence.
German Greens politician demands social media ban for all under 16
A representative of Germany’s Greens party has come out in favour of a total ban on social media for children and youths.
France orders officials to drop foreign messaging apps over cybersecurity fears
France’s top officials and civil servants will ditch foreign‑owned messaging apps in favour of a home‑grown alternative.
Wannabe “revolutionaries” need a serious plan
In Europe’s summer heat, talk of civil war and regime change is spreading like wildfire and reaching new heights of intensity every week.
UK: Rotherham police allegedly sexually assaulted abused children
Five women who were sexually assaulted as children by Asian gangs in the UK have accused police officers in Rotherham of also allegedly abusing them during that…
Tension between ‘anti-democratic’ ECB and staff committee grows
Dialogue between the European Central Bank (ECB) senior managers and its staff committee has become tense, with the latter accusing the ECB leadership of being "anti-democratic"…
Co-leader of German Green Youth calls for armed struggle against AfD
Armed resistance against a possible right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) government might be needed, according to Jette Nietzard, co-leader of the youth wing…
German SPD politician steps down after drawing swastika on ballot beside AfD candidate’s name
The deputy speaker of Baden-Württemberg's parliament announced his resignation from that office after drawing a swastika on a ballot during an anonymous vote.
German public broadcaster under fire after protesters disrupt AfD interview
German State TV station ARD was facing criticism in Conservative circles after allowing protesters to drown out an open-air interview with Alice Weidel, leader of…
Never forget: the truth is the gallant Joe McCarthy was right
Myths survive not because they’re true but because they satisfy a social need.