Welcome to Pulse, the newsletter of the European Democrats.
As autumn approaches, the world appears more fragmented, with new crises erupting and an increasingly clear contest between authoritarian shortcuts and the more arduous but necessary path of democratic processes. Over the last three months, this “new disorder” has taken shape in two powerful images: Donald Trump welcoming Vladimir Putin on a red carpet at a base in Alaska for an agreement on Ukraine that, two months later, has not materialised; and the celebration in Beijing of China’s supposed “victory” in World War II, with a parade of autocrats and the presence of some democratic leaders, partly due to Trump’s divisive choice of tariffs, which is causing great concern.
In Serbia, Turkey, Hungary and the United States, popular movements — often led by young people — are defending or demanding freedom and the rule of law. And, on another front, Generation Z is driving pro-democracy and anti-corruption initiatives in Nepal, Morocco, Indonesia and Madagascar, experiences that differ from one another and have sometimes, unfortunately, resulted in unacceptable violence.
Here we explain how the European Democrats support these energies and work to improve our European democracy.
Stop the bully — The EDP against blackmail. But Europe has given in
With the #StopTheBully campaign, we called for a united front and a firm response to the new US tariffs: fair trade, shared rules, a transatlantic partnership based on reciprocity. Unfortunately, the outcome confirms our fears: the EU has bowed to Washington’s unilateral decision. As our president François Bayrou said, it was “a dark day”. For us, the dossier remains open: we need a rebalancing of negotiations that protects European businesses and workers and a common European voice in global relations. In a word: a powerful Europe.
European Serbia — Students and civil society at the centre, the EDP at their side
The mission to Belgrade in September continued months of concrete support for Serbian students and civic movements calling for legality, free media and fair elections. The collapse of the Novi Sad station canopy on 1 November 2024 has become a symbol of protest against corruption, impunity and maladministration, but also against an increasingly illiberal regime. The 1st of November (the first anniversary) will remain a moment of remembrance and a call for truth and accountability. The EDP will continue to be there because, as our Secretary-General Sandro Gozi reminds us, their fight for democracy and the rule of law is the fight of the whole of Europe.
France and Italy — The comparisons that Europe needs
At the MoDem autumn conference in Provence (end of September), we brought European strategic autonomy, the defence of the rule of law and inclusive growth back to the forefront. The Europe Days organised by the EDP with French MEPs opened up opportunities for discussion with activists.
A few days later, at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence with Italia Viva, the EDP stand was a meeting point with the world of Italian reformism. In the debate “Leaders or followers, the European dilemma”, Sandro Gozi and Manuel Valls, moderated by Enrico Borghi, discussed what kind of Europe we want: one that is capable of leading, not following.
In Paris, the EDP’s annual seminar — Reforms and global challenges, agenda for 2026
On 4 September, at the MoDem headquarters in Paris, our MEPs held a seminar with François Bayrou, Sandro Gozi and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. In that setting, we set the priorities for the year ahead: making European governance more effective, responding to the high cost of living in a way that protects families and businesses, accelerating a competitive ecological transition that leaves no one behind, and strengthening the Union’s global role. A clear demand emerged: credible European leadership, capable of building alliances and defending threatened democracies.
Save the date — EDP Congress in Bilbao
We conclude with an announcement: the EDP Congress will be held in Bilbao (Basque Country) on 21 November. It will be a day entirely dedicated to the fight for democracies and for a stronger, fairer Europe that is closer to its people. We look forward to seeing you there.
See you next time!
