⚖️Rule of law: MEPs warn of limited progress on Commission’s recommendations
➡️Judicial independence remains vulnerable
➡️Concerns about corruption, media freedom, civic space
➡️More credible enforcement, use of all available tools
📝 @kostarvanitis.bsky.social
📢 link.europa.eu/w8D7pN
Read the full letter here: buff.ly/mSjM1TN
Despite its strategic importance, the programme currently represents only 0.43% of the total EU budget — that doesn't match the scale of the challenges facing these sectors.
This is why the EU must reinforce AgoraEU in its next budget.
Together with 521 other organisations, we're calling on EU policymakers to defend a substantial budget increase for AgoraEU, the dedicated funding instrument for culture, independent media, and journalism, fundamental rights and civil society.
📝 Over 500 organisations call for increasing European democracy funding
From his career journey to lobbying strategies and the evolving challenges for NGOs, it was an insightful and interactive exchange.
Many thanks to Professor Pieter Bouwen for the invitation!
Last week, our director Nicholas Aiossa delivered a guest lecture to students in the Master of Advanced Studies in European Policies and Public Administration at KU Leuven. 🎓
🇭🇺 Hungary Orbánland
It has come to this: a renowned and highly trusted investigative Hungarian journalist is being accused of espionage simply for doing his job.
Please support @szabolcspanyi.bsky.social in every possible way and read his long message (1/3)
When will the leaders of the EPP stand up for EU citizens’ interests instead of going hand in hand with the those who want to silence them?
Once again, EPP leadership is choosing to side with the far right to block files when it suits them. They would rather vote with a party who'd be happy seeing civil society eliminated than promote fundamental rights. What does that say about the supposed centre-right?
The report included, among other points, important language on the role civil society plays in the EU and the need to maintain an open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.
EPP teams up with far right to vote down fundamental rights report
Today in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), EPP MEPs partnered with the far right to deliberately vote down a report on the implementation of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights within the EU legal framework.
As a result, the report has been voted down for the first time in its history. The EPP is allying with the far right to go after those who hold them accountable. Undermining this annual report makes European transparency and accountability suffer. No one wins.
These reports are usually non-controversial. But this time, the EPP and far-right chose to bulldoze it, by adding, among other things, needless wording attacking NGOs that has nothing to do with the report. It's another senseless assault on civil society organisations.
Every year, the European Parliament votes on a report highlighting the European Ombudsman's activities, shedding light on the important work this EU watchdog does in holding EU institutions and agencies to account and promoting good administration.
Far right and EPP derail important transparency vote by going after NGOs
Heard of Rachida Dati? She's just made the second round of the mayoral election in France. What you might not know is how much corruption she was accused of while she was an MEP.
With speakers from 👇
@fra.europa.eu @eesc.bsky.social
@liberties.eu @fidh-official.bsky.social @ec.europa.eu @transparency-eu.bsky.social & @civic-forum.eu
🔴Streaming: link.europa.eu/pK6mHj
Recent reports highlight how big lobby groups at the Antwerp Summit have exaggerated industry support to attack EU climate policy.
This is why a seat at the table for civil society is not just fair — it’s a democratic necessity.
Read the full letter here: buff.ly/N85hfgL
While industry leaders recently met with President Ursula von der Leyen in Antwerp to push for the deregulation of the EU’s health, environmental and social standards, civil society and trade unions have been left out of the conversation.
📢 270+ organisations are calling for a "Civil Society Antwerp Counter-Summit."
This is a step in the right direction. Now it’s time for Parliament – and the Commission – to deliver on these calls.
Importantly, Parliament recognised that it “should set a good example” for other institutions by increasing its own transparency, and proactively publish more documents (such as agendas and minutes of meetings).
With nearly unanimous support, the European Parliament has voted to demand the European Commission be more transparent, and review its access-to-document rules! It also stressed that all institutions should proactively publish trilogue documents.
Stand with the women who refuse to stay silent. Defend civic space. Protect whistleblowers.
Who would you add to this list? Write her name in the comments.
This is especially important for women, who are more likely to fear retaliation and often face gender bias within the justice system. This perception — and too often the reality — only deepens the hesitation to report wrongdoing.
If we care about the EU and its democracies, we must protect civic space — and the journalists and whistleblowers who defend it. That means real accountability, strong safeguards, and laws that genuinely protect those who speak truth to power.
Their names deserve to be said out loud — and they are not the only ones. Thousands of women like them, known and unknown, continue what they started.
But bravery should not come at the cost of safety.
Two European women with one thing in common: they refused to stay silent.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, we want to honour two women that exposed corruption, challenged police abuse, fought for minorities, and built movements from the ground up.
