European Policy Centre

🚢 Russia’s shadow fleet is now a full-spectrum security threat.

Aging tankers fund the Kremlin’s war, dodge inspections, gather intel & move through EU waters with near-total impunity.

Europe needs coordinated lawfare, NATO alignment & an EU Maritime Security Centre 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🔴Democracy is under attack — but how do we defend it without becoming what we’re fighting?

In his latest To the Point, Fabian Zuleeg argues that democracies must become resilient while staying true to their values.

Read here 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🌍 Climate action and gender equality are facing a powerful political backlash across Europe — and liberal democracy is feeling the strain.

Annual Conference breakout session spotlight — Fighting the backlash: Defending climate and equality 👇

www.epc.eu/events/liber...

🇺🇸 Trump’s ‘peace plan’ isn’t diplomacy — it’s appeasement. And Europe’s trade concessions only make things worse.

If the EU wants real influence on Ukraine’s future, it needs leverage, not flattery.

Read the Flash Analysis by Georg Riekeles 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇪🇺 Is Europe really secure if its democracies are weakening — from within and at its borders?

Corina Stratulat and Johannes Greubel argue that enlargement and democratic resilience are now the same test.

Europe can’t afford to fail either one 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇪🇺 Europe’s democratic future is on the line.

On 2 December, @epc-official.bsky.social opens and closes its Annual Conference with reflections from out President and Chief Executive — framing a day of debate and direction.

Find out more about our Annual Conference 👇
www.epc.eu/events/liber...

🏥 #Cyberattacks on EU #healthcare are now part of hybrid warfare — and AI-driven #disinformation is making the panic worse.

If health systems fail, #democracy’s resilience fails with them.

Read the full Policy Brief by Samuel Goodger & Elizabeth Kuiper 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇪🇺 Europe’s democracy problem isn’t denial — it’s hesitation.

Leaders know what must be done but call it “politically impossible.”

Fabian Zuleeg warns: act now, not only in crisis 👇
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🔴 The cordon sanitaire holds in form, but not in substance.
Europe risks a Parliament that excludes extremists procedurally while absorbing parts of their worldview.

This commentary is part of a series leading up to the #EPCannualconference: www.epc.eu/events/liber...

4/ But here’s the twist: the firewall is stronger, yet the centre has moved.
On migration, the EPP and Renew have hardened positions.
The gap with the ECR has almost closed.
The far right shapes the debate without formal cooperation.

3/ Amendment co-sponsorship has nearly vanished.
Where far-right amendments once gained occasional mainstream backing, support now sits at 1% (ECR) or zero (ID/ESN).
The far right sits fully isolated in the EP’s network map.

2/ New Eulytix data show cooperation between mainstream groups (EPP, S&D, RE, Greens/EFA) and the far right has collapsed.
In the last term, most ECR & many ID MEPs had links to the mainstream.
Today: 24% for ECR — and 0% for Patriots/ESN.

🇪🇺 The far right is larger, louder and more confident in the new European Parliament. But the surprising finding? The EP’s cordon sanitaire has rarely been stronger. The mainstream stays put — it’s the political gravity beneath it that is sliding right.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

3/ Amendment co-sponsorship has nearly vanished.
Where far-right amendments once gained occasional mainstream backing, support now sits at 1% (ECR) or zero (ID/ESN).
The far right sits fully isolated in the EP’s network map.

2/ New Eulytix data show cooperation between mainstream groups (EPP, S&D, RE, Greens/EFA) and the far right has collapsed.
In the last term, most ECR & many ID MEPs had links to the mainstream.
Today: 24% for ECR — and 0% for Patriots/ESN.

Europe is boosting defence spending — but ignoring its biggest vulnerability.

If democracies erode from within, Moscow won’t need to fire a shot.

New @epc-official.bsky.social Commentary by Demir Murat Seyrek on why defending democracy means defending Europe.

Read here 👇
epc.eu/publication/...

The EU’s plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund a Ukraine loan is legally sound — but Belgium bears the litigation risk.

EPC's Juraj Majcin says the fix is clear: EU guarantees and shared liability are needed.

Read more 👇
epc.eu/publication/...

Everywhere you look, democracy feels more fragile.
The US. Europe. Even long-stable systems.

In the latest Language of Power episode, Paul Taylor, Amanda Sloat & Richard Youngs break down what’s driving the global slide — and where real resilience might still come from.

www.epc.eu/podcast/the-...

🛡️ The European Commission unveils its new #DemocracyShield today – a plan to protect the EU from foreign interference and manipulation. But can the EU defend democracy without turning it into a security project?

@carlosdolan.bsky.social weighs in.

🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

✈️ Russia’s #GNSS interference is testing Europe’s defences below the threshold of war. With 40% of Europe's air traffic already affected, Maria Martisiute warns the risk of a major disaster is rising.

Read her 17 proposals for a coordinated defence here:
www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇪🇺 Rising living costs, precarious work and shrinking access to quality public services are driving disillusionment.

Valentina Caimi argues that Europe’s best defence of #democracy is to invest in inclusive and resilient societies.

Ahead of 2025 #EPCAnnualConference.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇷🇸 The EU changed its tone on Serbia's accession progress in the 2025 Enlargement Package – now, it needs to change its strategy.

Read the latest by Berta López Domènech:
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...
#Serbia #enlargement

🌍 #COP30 in Brazil: Ambition → Action NOW!
EU at crossroads: 📉 2040 target = walk-back? bit.ly/4p1hJWJ 🌱 Energy-food-nature fix: bit.ly/3WFqbip 🌐 Europe '25 realism: lnkd.in/eBtC5_Qg
Join us post-COP debrief: lnkd.in/eGw7DZJi
#EUClimatePolicy

Liberal Democracy Under Threat: Shaping a renewed vision for liberal democracy in As liberal democracy faces an urgent crisis and EUrope stands at a turning point, the EPC brings together leading voices to confront the forces undermining democracy, from rising authoritarianism and disinformation to economic, social, and digital disruption.

This commentary forms part of a series leading up to the 2025 #EPCAnnualConference. Learn more here: www.epc.eu/events/liber...

💬 Facts keep meeting feelings — and losing. Corina Stratulat explains why #EU debates misfire, from #enlargement to #climate. It's time to rethink how Europe talks to its citizens, aspirants and self.

Leading up to EPC Annual Conference 2025.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

💶 Is cost-of-living now the defining political issue? @javiercarbonell.bsky.social on #Mamdani win – and why #affordability now shapes the future of European politics.

🔗https://www.epc.eu/publication/its-the-affordability-stupid-what-mamdanis-victory-means-for-europe/

🇪🇺 As #Ukraine moves closer to the #EU and the #UK reconsiders its post-Brexit path, Europe faces an east-west enlargement dilemma.

@andrewduffeu.bsky.social argues for fast-tracking Ukraine’s accession — and reigniting debate on the UK’s future in Europe.

🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

#Democracy in #Europe stands at a crossroads

Can we preserve #liberal democracy — or are we drifting towards #illiberalism?

In his latest To the Point, Fabian Zuleeg calls for courage, unity & resistance against self-censorship and #authoritarian pressure.

🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇪🇺 Brussels still mistakes procedure for purpose

In her latest To the Point, Corina Stratulat argues the EU can’t spreadsheet its way into strategic relevance.

🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...

🇷🇸 One year after Serbia’s student-led protests have started, repression of activists, media and civil society has intensified.

Join our Policy Dialogue on 5 November to examine what’s next for democratisation and EU engagement.

Register 👇
www.epc.eu/events/serbi...