Defend Democracy

EU needs more courage in enforcing its digital laws — Defend Democracy We need more courage and robust enforcement of European laws. The world is watching — and so is Defend Democracy.

Background reading:

defenddemocracy.eu/eu-needs-mor...

The world is watching. And so is Defend Democracy.

#HandsOff #DefendDemocracy #PeopleVsBigTech

Last week, #DefendDemocracy organised the 3rd 'cross-party lunch on democracy, security & tech', a new initiative under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program.

This time with @EP_Democracy & @EP_Justice advisor.

Thanks FNF, HBF & FES for your support!

defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

Does the EU have the courage to take and enforce adequate structural measures to defend democracy against the weaponisation of digital platforms?

@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu
@hennavirkkunen.bsky.social
@michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social

U.S. to Curtail Practice of Assessing Fairness of Foreign Elections The order says the U.S. will only comment if “there is a clear and compelling U.S. foreign policy interest to do so.”

There was a time when the US would stand tall in the defense of freedom and democracy. No more. We will now congratulate the winner but “avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process, its legitimacy.” Putin will love it!
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Digital engineering creates not just far-right voters; it manufactures far-right candidates.

Does the EU have the courage to take and enforce adequate structural measures to defend democracy against the weaponisation of digital platforms?

New analysis:

defenddemocracy.eu/poland-2025-...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's July newsletter!

📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...

✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/

✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

A new era calls for a new strategy.

#DefendDemocracy Board & Director meet to discuss the future of democracy.

Where else than in Brussels, the heart of EUrope, leader of the Free World? 🇪🇺💫

(But how long can the EU hold the line if we obey the US in advance & don’t invest in democratic security?)

Paraphrasing Winston Churchill:

“You are given the choice between dishonour and trade war. Chose dishonour, and you will have a trade war anyway.”

#HandsOff #DefendDemocracy

The most amazing place to discuss 'Security, Safety and Resilience':

Białowieża Forest, which during WW2 was a refuge for Polish and Soviet partisans (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

#DefendDemocracy spoke about 'Security and new technologies: facing AI and disinformation'.

Honoured to exchange with EU Commissioner @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social to provide input for the European Democracy Shield.

One of #DefendDemocracy's recommendations: align EU's MFF budget with the agreed 1.5% NATO defence spending to invest in tech sovereignty & societal resilience to hybrid war.

Thrilled to announce a bold ally of #DefendDemocracy!

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs @glandsbergis.bsky.social
joins our Advisory Board.

"Freedom runs in my family. The survival of our freedoms relies on strong defence of our values & borders."

defenddemocracy.eu/about/adviso...

While EU leaders meet, #DefendDemocracy held its own EU summit:

@epc-official.bsky.social Chief Executive @FabianZuleeg joined our monthly @democracydrinks.bsky.social to discuss how Europe can defend its liberal democracy by taking decisive action asap.

www.epc.eu/publication/...

Here is #DefendDemocracy 's June newsletter!

📰 Read this edition: crm.defenddemocracy.eu/civicrm/?civ...

✏️ Sign up for future editions: defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/

✅ Join our democracy defenders & stay tuned!

Democracy organisations call on Europe to put democracy at the heart of its new security agenda Democracy is not a competing priority to security, but one of its core components.

Defend Democracy joins call urging Europe to put democracy at the heart of its new security agenda.

#NATOsummit #EUpol #security

www.kofiannanfoundation.org/news/democra...

Very proud of #DefendDemocracy and the entire team to pull off this high-level conference with the Polish EU Presidency on defending democracy!

Here's a thread with pictures & impressions.

Sign up to our newsletter to stay tuned for more:

defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/

#Poland25EU #EUsky #NATO

Last but not least, our @stollmeyer.bsky.social connected the dots between European #DemocracyShield and #EUpreparedness Union:

defenddemocracy.eu/defending-ou...

Thx @fnfeurope.bsky.social & @boelleu.bsky.social!

Stay tuned for more events under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program!

Great to have a rich exchange between representatives of EU, NATO, countries and NGOs on how to build preparedness and resilience against hybrid threats.

This is exactly what the 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' is for: we can learn from each other!

defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

On the second panel, MEP @alexandrageese.bsky.social, NATO expert Khan Jahier & Dr Vira Ratsiborynska discussed how to accelerate building the EU's societal preparedness & resilience against hybrid threats to democracy.

Our @stollmeyer.bsky.social moderated.

defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

Key note speaker Katarzyna Szaran of @polandmfa.bsky.social presented the Polish concept of a 'FIMI Resilience Council'.

Something to consider creating also at the EU level?

www.gov.pl/web/diplomac...

On the first panel, 3 @ec.europa.eu speakers discussed European Democracy Shield, Internal Security Strategy and Preparedness Union Strategy. Connecting dots is key.

The panel was expertly moderated by Torben Fell, hybrid threats expert @eudiplomacy.bsky.social

defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

We were honoured to be joined by Barbara Gallo, Head of Division Hybrid Threats & Cyber, @eudiplomacy.bsky.social.

In her key note, she highlighted a.o. the importance of whole-of-society preparedness and resilience to hybrid threats.

defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

Inspiring opening words by Ambassador (ret.) @jzk55.bsky.social Chair of #DefendDemocracy, highlighting the urgent need for collaboration - for example in our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' - in this new geopolitical era.

defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

The conference 'Defending Democracy in the New Geopolitical Landscape' was kicked off by Katarzyna Ananicz, Head of Common Security and Defence Policy Division, @poland25eu.bsky.social

Read about the Polish Presidency priorities here:

polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/programme...

Honoured to co-organise a conference with @poland25eu.bsky.social:

Defending Democracy in the New Geopolitical Landscape: How to accelerate EU’s Preparedness against Hybrid Threats?

Great collaboration & thanks for security & resilience as #Poland25EU priority!

defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

And thank you for your support @fnfeurope.bsky.social and @boelleu.bsky.social

defenddemocracy.eu/events/13-ju...

Thanks to our co-organiser @poland25eu.bsky.social and partner @eudiplomacy.bsky.social for an inspiring conference:

“Defending Democracy in the new geopolitical landscape. How to accelerate EU’s preparedness against hybrid threats”.

Sign up & stay tuned for more:

defenddemocracy.eu/newsletters/

Last week, #DefendDemocracy organised the 2nd 'cross-party lunches on democracy, security and tech', a new initiative under our 'Coalition for Democratic Resilience' program.

This time with a @EP_Defence & @EP_SingleMarket advisor. Thanks to all for joining!

defenddemocracy.eu/projects/coa...

Honoured to join @ec.europa.eu @danishmfa.bsky.social & others for @eesc.bsky.social expert hearing "Enhancing EU´s ability to protect European democracies".

#DefendDemocracy message: invest in civil preparedness & societal resilience against hybrid & tech threats NOW.

ec.europa.eu/info/law/bet...

Greetings from Poland, where we discussed how the European #DemocracyShield can truly support democratic resilience.

#DefendDemocracy was honoured to join this important foresight session.

📸 (c) Michał Kisiel; thank you @visegradinsight.bsky.social