Liza Saris

🔥 Excited to share my policy brief on a topic close to my heart: Europe's shrinking civic space 🇪🇺

I analyse how the upcoming MFF negotiations could be a game-changer for European democracy and the relevance of the CERV for EU democracy

lnkd.in/eBeFXjdXJ

#CivicSpace #MFF #DemocraticResilience

What would Europeans want a European defence union to look like? This working paper explores public support for European defence union, revealing preferred policy features and the impact of political feasibility.

1. I keep listening to people saying that they are OK with military spending going up BUT ONLY as a part of a European plan/army.
A kindergarten dad, two office mates, a aunt. Educated and smart people.

This is *fully aligned* with our 2022 experimental results.
www.bruegel.org/working-pape...

A bridge-builder, a consensus seeker, and a true believer in Europe, Herman Van Rompuy leadership as the first permanent President of the European Council helped steer the EU through one of its most challenging periods.

It was a pleasure to meet this European friend at @epc-official.bsky.social, a place where European integration is promoted through analysis and debate.

📢STARTING NOW
Europe: Strength through crisis with António Costa, President of the European Council

EPC's Thought Leadership Forum kicks off at 14.00
With opening remarks by Herman Van Rompuy and followed by a Q&A with Brigid Laffan

Follow the livestream:
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/live/1

Great panel this morning: The upcoming #CSO strategy will only be useful if it includes and connects to the #anti-racism plan. We need more solidarity within CSOs, with anti-racism and migration groups as they protect our fundamental rights. @enareurope.bsky.social @eucivicforum.bsky.social

Guarding the Foundations: EU civil society in a changing geopolitical Guarding the Foundations: EU civil society in a changing geopolitical landscape

📢 Guarding the Foundations: EU civil society in a changing geopolitical landscape

🖋️ This commentary by @lizasaris.bsky.social looks at the challenges facing civil society organisations and how the EU can provide support through short-term relief and long-term strategy.

www.epc.eu/en/Publicati...

Apropos of nothing; ❤️ @bsky.app 📈 but it's incredibly US centric still, see Top 500 list: vqv.app

A few European starter packs:

European Union Politics: go.bsky.app/Bg7sPSp
European Think tanks: go.bsky.app/8Ra8RjU
EU/UK tech policy: go.bsky.app/TJ2xTce
Digital democracy: bsky.app/starter-pack...

Guarding the Foundations: EU civil society in a changing geopolitical Guarding the Foundations: EU civil society in a changing geopolitical landscape

Read my commentary for the @epc-official.bsky.social
on the path forward to protect democracy:

epc.eu/en/Publicati...

Guarding the foundations:

Rising illiberalism and far-right movement leads to systemic political demonisation, a funding gap, and increasing administrative obstacles. #CSOs operate in a hostile environment.
The EU needs to answer this call and protect the guardians of #European #democracy

“We’ve got to be very clear here: we cannot oppose social investment … with the cost in defence,” she says. The other approach is to fall into the dialogue of the far right, and there the far right wins.” #farright #EUdefence #costoflivingcrisis

‘If you fall into the dialogue of the far right, the far right wins’: Spain’s deputy PM on the need for workers’ rights Yolanda Díaz Pérez’s leftwing government has championed employment reform similar to Labour’s proposals – and she tells British business there is nothing to fear

'She argues that boosting workers’ rights, and their living standards, has been positive for growth and productivity – and that raising living standards is the key to combating the growing threat from the far right.'

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

For now, Guardian will do but I would love to hear more tips!

‘Watershed moment’: EU leaders agree plan for huge rise in defence spending Leaders endorse Ursula von der Leyen proposal as French president calls Vladimir Putin ‘an imperialist who seeks to rewrite history’

I'm looking for a high-quality news outlet to update me on all happening in the EU.
Politico has again been disappointing, coining yesterday's agreement as a 'disunity' while it has been an incredible step to not let Orban derail an agreement and move forward.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Fact-Checking Trump’s Address to Congress The president repeated familiar exaggerations and falsehoods about the economy, the Department of Government Efficiency and tariffs.

False
Misleading
Lacking evidence
Out of context

Factchecking rarely reaches everyone who saw/ heard/ read the original falsehoods.

But it is so important!

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...

It seems to me that many have still not fully understood that Trump simply does not want to play the role that Europeans want him to play. He does not want to provide security guarantees for 🇺🇦, neither in the first nor in the second line. No 'strong US backing' will materialize.

Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the European Policy Center (EPC) Thought Leadership Forum on defence and security - Multimedia Centre The multimedia platform of the European Parliament is the official public available repository of the media production of the Secretariat of the European Parliament, managed by the Directorate-General...

EUP President Roberta Metsola speaking at the @epc-official.bsky.social this morning on defence and security..

multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstream...

🔑Amidst a surge of #IlliberalTrends, #DemocraticBacksliding, and rapid #GeopoliticalDevelopments, what can be done to safeguard the #RuleOfLaw in Europe?

We explored this question over the past two days during the Rule of Law Community Meeting—together with Civil Society from all over Europe.

🚀 Today we kicked off the #RuleofLaw Community Meeting in Brussels!

The fight for democracy and the rule of law is more urgent than ever! During today's meetings we gathered experts, advocates & policymakers in focus groups to map out key priorities & build roadmaps for real impact in 2025 on 🔽

Democracy stands on the #RuleOfLaw - when it weakens, we all pay the price.

At @epc-official.bsky.social conference, I joined #CSOs & policymakers to defend fundamental rights, in a shifting geopolitical context.

#CivilSociety is not just a watchdog - it’s a force for action in the 🇪🇺 & beyond!

Thank you for making the time to join us during the Rule of Law Community meeting and providing the group of CSOs with your insights from the EP!

Not much going right in the world at the moment, when you care about protecting liberal democracy

Knowing that rule of law defenders like @michalwawrykiewicz.bsky.social sit in the EP & will continue pushing for the issue to remain top of mind within the EU should give all European citizens hope

Hard at work or hardly working?🫢 Looking forward to reading the final notes of your session. 👀

Thank you @eesc-president.bsky.social for bringing your insights on the role of civil society in defending fundamental rights, the Rule of Law and how in turn to support those CSOs.

Looking forward to future connections!

🔔Starting now

⚖️Guarding the Foundations: EU Rule of Law in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape

We are kicking off our #RuleofLaw Community Meeting —a 2-day workshop of leading CSOs working on defending democracy & the RoL across Europe.

@democracyreporting.bsky.social @stiftungmercator.bsky.social

⚡️Flash Analysis | Mapping Trump's far-right inauguration guest list

✍️ @javiercarbonell.bsky.social & Tabea Schaumann

Trump’s inauguration guest list reveals deepening ties with Europe’s far-right. What does this mean for the EU?

Read here 👉 epc.eu/en/Publicati...

a cartoon penguin wearing a blue jacket and sunglasses Alt: a cartoon penguin wearing a blue jacket and sunglasses

Today the European Commission published its 2025 Workprogramme.

Not only can we look forward to the #DemocracyShield, but also will they work on a #CivilSocietyStrategy this year.
A crucial step in reinforcing the foundations of democracies in Europe.

🕶️Stay tuned to watch CSO's save democray🕶️