A world in turmoil, a Europe that will not stand still
We are living in difficult times.
The outbreak of war between Iran, Israel and the United States has temporarily subsided, but the balance remains fragile. The war in Ukraine continues and Putin, despite months of aggression since January, has only managed to conquer 0.25% of Ukrainian territory, demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the weakness of Russia. But Europe’s resolve is being weakened by the Trump administration’s condescending policy towards Moscow. In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues, while negotiations between Europe and the United States on tariffs are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks, with no guarantee that Europe will emerge stronger.
But the democratic movements are not giving up. In Budapest, 200,000 people demonstrated at Pride against Orban for democracy and the rule of law. In Serbia, hundreds of thousands of students demanded the resignation of the illiberal and pro-Russian Vucic government and resisted intimidation and arrests. In Georgia, the squares are not empty despite government repression.
In the United States, democracy remains under pressure: the crisis in California between Governor Newsom and President Trump, a senator in handcuffs for trying to ask a question, two congressmen killed by political hatred in Minnesota. And a movement, No Kings, ready to take to the streets again on July 4 to demand a more democratic America, on this symbolic day of all days.
And Europe? It is reeling. It is suffering from the inflexibility of a weak Commission and the under-the-table deals between the People’s Party and the far-right in the European Parliament, who have betrayed the majority that elected von der Leyen.
As European democrats, we strongly reaffirmed at the last Renew Europe Leaders’ Summit in Brussels on June 26 that reforms and courage are needed for a Europe that is able to defend its values and count in the world.
What we have done in recent months
Democracy is not artificial
Our commercial created with artificial intelligence has sparked a debate in Europe: technology can support democracy, but it will never replace politics. Watch the commercial
EDP grows: Momentum Malta joins us
We have welcomed Momentum to our ranks, bringing new centrist and reformist energy to Malta. Our Secretary General Sandro Gozi was in Valletta on June 30 to meet the leaders of Momentum and common priorities discuss with them to strengthen the EDP’s centrist and reformist presence on the island and in Europe. Read more
Lead or be led: Courage is needed
On May 10, in Brussels, with Matteo Renzi and Maxime Prévot, we reaffirmed the need to defend democracy against populism. A few days later, on 15 May, in Paris we once again focused on common European defense, because if we do not build our own security, we will always be dependent on others. Brussels | Paris
Justice for the times and the rule of law in Greece
In Greece, justice is at a standstill over the Tempi tragedy and the agricultural funds scandal, and democracy is under pressure. We continue to demand truth for the victims of Tempi and reforms for a genuine rule of law. We reiterated this in June in Strasbourg with an event in the European Parliament and with the intervention of our Secretary General Sandro Gozi in the Plenary. Read more
Dialogue with the United States: a necessary bridge
Vice-President Engin Eroglu, German MEP for the EDP, was in Washington to strengthen the transatlantic dialog on the China dossier, while in Paris we hosted Will Marshall, President of the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington and a leading figure of democratic reformism in the US, to continue the dialog between European and American progressives. Washington Paris |
Other dossiers
We have also been following other important dossiers in recent months. In France, our Vice-President Engin Eroglu joined the debate on the proposal of our French President and Prime Minister François Bayrou for a referendum on a popular initiative at national level and emphasized that this opening is an important signal for direct democracy and European stability. Read more We have advocated the “European Drone Valley” project, which aims to build a common and innovative defense industry capable of strengthening European security without giving up technological independence and democratic values. Finally, in Italy, Paolo Micheli, Mayor of Segrate, an important municipality in the Milan hinterland, presented a manifesto for a new Europe, rooted in its values but also capable of facing future challenges with courage, and reaffirmed the role of European democrats in this path of political reform and renewal. Read here
Together, we remain convinced that a democratic, reformist and moderate Europe is the only way to avoid becoming hostage to extremism and immobility. Together, determined as ever, we are convinced that we will succeed.
Related news
The EDP in Belgrade for a European Serbia: legality, free media, fair elections
Mission of PDE Secretary General Sandro Gozi to Belgrade (18–19 September 2025): public debate with hundreds of young people, meetings with opposition parties and civil society, focus on the rule of law, political repression and delays in EU integrationGozi stresses that it is not citizens who endanger Serbia’s European path, but President Vučić and his government. By resorting to repression, false narratives and attacks on fundamental freedoms, they are undermining the credibility and the European future of the country.
Open Letter
To the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić
with a copy to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
President Vučić,
Your letter of 21 August addressed to President von der Leyen is a masterpiece of hypocrisy. But facts, numbers and images tell another story.
In recent months, hundreds of people have been arrested in Serbia, including students and peaceful citizens. Many of them remain in prison today, facing charges that are essentially political. In practice, this undermines their freedom of expression and discourages democratic participation. It is not the citizens who are destabilising the country: it is your government, repressing the right to protest.
In March, during a commemoration in Novi Sad, a sonic cannon (LRAD) was used against demonstrators, A weapon, capable of provoking harsh pain, panic and permanent hearing damage. A practice that has nothing to do with the european standards you claim to embrace.
On 15 August, a video showed fifteen young people forced to their knees against a wall, filmed by police officers. An act of public humiliation, in total contempt for human dignity and contrary to every democratic standard.
And this was not an isolated case: in those same days, other footage and testimonies clearly showed worrying heavy-handed arrests, with students dragged to the ground, women and even minors treated without regard for their rights.
While students are beaten and arrested, citizens have witnessed violent groups apparently close to your party moving about undisturbed.
This selective tolerance raises serious concerns of rule of law.
Equally serious is the attack on freedom of information. N1, a news channel belonging to United Media (United Group), has been the target of a campaign of intimidation and pressure documented in recordings published by OCCRP/KRIK. You know perfectly well that silencing the last independent broadcaster means suffocating truth and pluralism.
President Vučić, it is not the youth, it is not the citizens, it is not the demonstrators who are jeopardising the European path of Serbia: Serbia belongs to Europe. But it is you — with your policies, your denyal your statements — which are undermining the credibility and the european path of your country.
Your accusations against Nikolina Sindjelić are embarrassing . The evidence shows that threats, unlawful arrests and violence have indeed taken place: personal attacks do not erase reality.
Your letter must therefore be sent back to the sender.
Serbian citizens deserve much better and Europe is something else: freedom, dignity, democracy.
Serbia’s European Hour – Lost time or a new opportunity?
Public debate in Belgrade with Sandro Gozi and representatives of civil society Serbia’s European Hour – Lost time or a new opportunity?In his statement, Gozi denounces the hundreds of arrests of students and peaceful citizens, the use of a sonic cannon (LRAD) during the March protest in Novi Sad, the shocking video of students forced to their knees and filmed by police, the violent arrests of women and even minors, and the attack on press freedom with intimidation against N1, documented by OCCRP/KRIK.
Gozi stresses that it is not citizens who endanger Serbia’s European path, but President Vučić and his government. By resorting to repression, false narratives and attacks on fundamental freedoms, they are undermining the credibility and the European future of the country.
Open Letter
To the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić
with a copy to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
President Vučić,
Your letter of 21 August addressed to President von der Leyen is a masterpiece of hypocrisy. But facts, numbers and images tell another story.
In recent months, hundreds of people have been arrested in Serbia, including students and peaceful citizens. Many of them remain in prison today, facing charges that are essentially political. In practice, this undermines their freedom of expression and discourages democratic participation. It is not the citizens who are destabilising the country: it is your government, repressing the right to protest.
In March, during a commemoration in Novi Sad, a sonic cannon (LRAD) was used against demonstrators, A weapon, capable of provoking harsh pain, panic and permanent hearing damage. A practice that has nothing to do with the european standards you claim to embrace.
On 15 August, a video showed fifteen young people forced to their knees against a wall, filmed by police officers. An act of public humiliation, in total contempt for human dignity and contrary to every democratic standard.
And this was not an isolated case: in those same days, other footage and testimonies clearly showed worrying heavy-handed arrests, with students dragged to the ground, women and even minors treated without regard for their rights.
While students are beaten and arrested, citizens have witnessed violent groups apparently close to your party moving about undisturbed.
This selective tolerance raises serious concerns of rule of law.
Equally serious is the attack on freedom of information. N1, a news channel belonging to United Media (United Group), has been the target of a campaign of intimidation and pressure documented in recordings published by OCCRP/KRIK. You know perfectly well that silencing the last independent broadcaster means suffocating truth and pluralism.
President Vučić, it is not the youth, it is not the citizens, it is not the demonstrators who are jeopardising the European path of Serbia: Serbia belongs to Europe. But it is you — with your policies, your denyal your statements — which are undermining the credibility and the european path of your country.
Your accusations against Nikolina Sindjelić are embarrassing . The evidence shows that threats, unlawful arrests and violence have indeed taken place: personal attacks do not erase reality.
Your letter must therefore be sent back to the sender.
Serbian citizens deserve much better and Europe is something else: freedom, dignity, democracy.
PDE seminar in Paris: reforms, global challenges, and support for François Bayrou
EDP MEPs in Paris with Gozi, Bayrou and Barrot: priorities for Strasbourg, governance reform, the cost of living, ecological transition and Europe’s global roleThe initiative follows Vučić’s letter sent to Brussels on 21 August, in which he accused Serbian students and demonstrators of violence, reversing the truth and blaming the victims of repression.
In his statement, Gozi denounces the hundreds of arrests of students and peaceful citizens, the use of a sonic cannon (LRAD) during the March protest in Novi Sad, the shocking video of students forced to their knees and filmed by police, the violent arrests of women and even minors, and the attack on press freedom with intimidation against N1, documented by OCCRP/KRIK.
Gozi stresses that it is not citizens who endanger Serbia’s European path, but President Vučić and his government. By resorting to repression, false narratives and attacks on fundamental freedoms, they are undermining the credibility and the European future of the country.
Open Letter
To the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić
with a copy to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
President Vučić,
Your letter of 21 August addressed to President von der Leyen is a masterpiece of hypocrisy. But facts, numbers and images tell another story.
In recent months, hundreds of people have been arrested in Serbia, including students and peaceful citizens. Many of them remain in prison today, facing charges that are essentially political. In practice, this undermines their freedom of expression and discourages democratic participation. It is not the citizens who are destabilising the country: it is your government, repressing the right to protest.
In March, during a commemoration in Novi Sad, a sonic cannon (LRAD) was used against demonstrators, A weapon, capable of provoking harsh pain, panic and permanent hearing damage. A practice that has nothing to do with the european standards you claim to embrace.
On 15 August, a video showed fifteen young people forced to their knees against a wall, filmed by police officers. An act of public humiliation, in total contempt for human dignity and contrary to every democratic standard.
And this was not an isolated case: in those same days, other footage and testimonies clearly showed worrying heavy-handed arrests, with students dragged to the ground, women and even minors treated without regard for their rights.
While students are beaten and arrested, citizens have witnessed violent groups apparently close to your party moving about undisturbed.
This selective tolerance raises serious concerns of rule of law.
Equally serious is the attack on freedom of information. N1, a news channel belonging to United Media (United Group), has been the target of a campaign of intimidation and pressure documented in recordings published by OCCRP/KRIK. You know perfectly well that silencing the last independent broadcaster means suffocating truth and pluralism.
President Vučić, it is not the youth, it is not the citizens, it is not the demonstrators who are jeopardising the European path of Serbia: Serbia belongs to Europe. But it is you — with your policies, your denyal your statements — which are undermining the credibility and the european path of your country.
Your accusations against Nikolina Sindjelić are embarrassing . The evidence shows that threats, unlawful arrests and violence have indeed taken place: personal attacks do not erase reality.
Your letter must therefore be sent back to the sender.
Serbian citizens deserve much better and Europe is something else: freedom, dignity, democracy.
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