From repression in Turkey and Serbia to the digital battle against propaganda and fake news: the first panel of the EDP Congress gives voice to the new generation defending democracy.
The first panel of the European Democratic Party Congress, held on 21 November at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in Bilbao, brought together some of the most courageous voices of the new generation committed to defending fundamental rights. “Youth on the Move: Protest, Voices and Digital Revolt”, moderated by Irish MEP Ciarán Mullooly (Renew Europe), focused on stories of activism that challenge authoritarian regimes and disinformation campaigns on a daily basis.
The meeting opened with a message from Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, read by his wife Dilek: a call for European solidarity with those who pay with their freedom for their opposition to the Erdoğan regime.
On stage, young activist Esila Ayık recounted her arrest during a peaceful protest: beatings, intimidation and pressure even in detention, treatment that was even harsher because she was a woman. ‘We did not take to the streets for a leader, but for democracy,’ she recalled.
From Serbia, Nikolina Sindelić and Pavel Cicvarić brought testimonies of student mobilisations repressed by the Vučić government: violence, threats, hate campaigns orchestrated by the regime-controlled media. Yet, they emphasise, the strength of the movement remains non-violence, the only response that unmasks authoritarian power.
Speaking from Ukraine, documentary filmmaker Caolan Robertson recounted his work on the front line: raw, unfiltered reporting to counter Russian disinformation polluting social media and European politics.
From the United States, Chris Mowrey described his daily battle against Trump’s online propaganda, explaining how digital manipulation is eroding the American rule of law and how crucial the role of credible and transparent creators is.
The common thread running through the panel was clear: democracy must be defended with courage, competence and truth. And the EDP will continue to give a voice and space to those in Europe and beyond who are fighting for freedom, rights and accurate information.
