Freedom of thought
Bulgaria ruling party defiant as protests turn violent
Bulgaria's ruling conservative party on Thursday (3 September) resisted calls for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's government to resign, after two months of protests against his perceived tolerance of corruption erupted into the most violent day yet.
Belarus opposition movement gains momentum as world watches
Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko faced mounting opposition on Friday (14 August) to his disputed re-election as factory workers joined popular protests and the European Union moved to impose new sanctions on his regime.
Thai PM appeals for unity amid almost daily protests
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha appealed for unity in a televised address to the nation on Thursday (13 August) amid almost daily student-led anti-government protests since mid-July.
Europe must not allow Lukashenko to continue his manipulations
The EU must shape at least two different policies towards Belarus - one for the regime that stole the elections and one for the civil society, writes Urmas Paet.
What is happening in Belarus cannot be called elections
After 9 August Belarus will have a totally illegitimate president, and the West must be prepared for the perspective of the illegitimate Lukashenko, writes Andrius Kubilius.
EU urged to ratchet up pressure on Poland in defence of LGBT+ rights
LGBT+ campaigners have praised an EU decision to withhold funds from six Polish municipalities that declared themselves "LGBT-free zones", urging Brussels to intensify pressure on the nationalist government over its increasingly homophobic stance.
Protests in Bulgaria are also about media freedom
Protests in Bulgaria are a genuine civil protest against the party-state and in favour of basic democratic rights such as media freedom, writes Maria Stoyanova.
Mass resignations at Hungary’s biggest news site as fallout from editor’s sacking continues
Nearly 60 journalists have resigned from the 90-member editorial team of Index, Hungary's leading independent media outlet, in what is being described as a devastating blow to the country's free press and media plurality.
The EU must stop funding illiberalism
Last week, we had the dubious pleasure of witnessing the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán team up with his Slovenian counterpart Janez Janša and the Serbian President Alexander Vučić. Their request? Asking to be “left alone”; apparently because they do not wish to be bothered by the European Union’s "cultural Marxism", writes Dacian Cioloș.
The Moment for Lies
The Hungarian government is trying to portray itself as the victim of politically motivated attacks. Wrong, and the state of emergency still exists, write Gábor Halmai and Kim Lane Scheppele.
The Moment of Truth
The Hungarian government has faced a barrage of criticism from some of the EU's leadership. Minister for Justice Judit Varga claims this should worry other member states, because they could be next.
Top Hungary news site says independence in ‘grave danger’
The editor of Hungary's most popular news website warned Sunday (21 June) that a planned overhaul would jeopardise its freedom to publish stories critical of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government.
We can’t fall for Viktor Orbán’s masquerade
We should not be fooled by the latest development in Hungary - ending one state of danger, while simultaneously declaring another - represents the actions of an increasingly autocratic state, writes Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield.
Macron marks de Gaulle’s wartime appeal with UK visit
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (18 June) made his first overseas trip since the coronavirus outbreak began, visiting London to mark the 80th anniversary of wartime resistance leader Charles de Gaulle's rallying cry against Nazi occupation from the British capital.
Top EU court strikes down Hungary’s NGO financing law
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) said on Thursday (18 June) that the restrictions imposed on the financing of civil organisations by foreigners in Hungary were "discriminatory and unjustified" and went against EU law.
Does the EU care about democracy at home?
While the whole world has been trying to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and looking for ways how to fine-tune the response to the virus and its consequences, one element is missing in the picture and it is the support to democracy and restoration of civil rights and fundamental freedoms, writes Pavel Havlicek.
Hungary set to end disputed emergency virus powers
Hungary is set to revoke Tuesday (16 June) anti-coronavirus emergency powers that triggered international criticism amid fears of a power grab by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
UN freedom of speech rapporteur must wear several hats, says Bulgarian candidate
Iveta Cherneva, a Bulgarian author who writes about security, politics, human rights, and sustainability, and a EURACTIV contributor, has been shortlisted for the position of the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of speech.
Hungarian detentions evidence of government intimidation, say critics
Two men have been detained since Tuesday (12 May) on suspicion of ‘scaremongering’ after sharing posts critical of the government on Facebook, local media reported.
COVID-19 crisis triggers EU racism against Asians, rights agency says
There has been a spike in recorded cases of racist abuse against people perceived to be of Chinese or Asian descent in the European Union amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the European Union's Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) said in a report published on Wednesday (8 April).
Greek PM preaches science to Orthodox Church on coronavirus
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, urged the Orthodox Church yesterday (12 March) to observe scientific recommendations when it comes to public gatherings as authorities step up measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Poland names new head of Jewish museum as tensions rise
Poland's government appointed a new director of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews on Thursday (27 February), as the ruling nationalists face accusations of politicising museums to reflect their view of history.
Belgian prime minister reacts to controversial Aalst Carnival
A year after sparking controversy and a wave of international protests over anti-Semitism, the Aalst Carnival organisers brought back anti-Semitic caricatures to the annual parade. For the first time, Belgium's prime minister stepped into the debate and asked legal institutions to determine if the laws had been broken.