Global democracy got a boost following progressive election victories in Brazil, Serbia and the United States. Over just the span of a week, Brazil's Lula narrowly beat Flávio Bolsonaro; the student-led protest movement in Serbia ousted long-standing leader Aleksandar Vučić from power following two years of demonstrations; while the 'Blue Tsunami' in the U.S. saw Democrats wrestle back control of Congress, scuppering Donald Trump's agenda for his remaining two years. Each of the victories was built on the back of activist and community-led initiatives, including ‘Lula’s Army’, which helped turn Brazil’s election around following polling that put Bolsonaro ahead only a few short weeks ago, as well as James Talarico's historic win in Texas, beating a Republican candidate bankrolled by Elon Musk and other oligarchs.

The strength of their democratic resistance provides much-needed inspiration for upcoming elections in 2027 taking place in France, Italy, Poland and Spain, which will test European resilience against authoritarianism (where one-in-three support authoritarian parties) and potentially have drastic consequences for the EU.

The spate of youth-led protests spreading across Europe, from France, Albania, Italy and Belgium (and due to reach Germany this weekend) is driven by Gen Z demanding a greater say in how their countries are run. And if, like the protestors, you are passionate about democracy, consider joining Liberties as an intern to support the production of our flagship Rule of Law Report.

Meanwhile, Liberties members flew into Berlin this week for our General Assembly and our Strategy 2027-2030 workshop.

Don’t miss our next research release: ‘Auditing Health AI: Money, Rules, and Patient Data in the EU.’ Scroll to the end for details.

Don’t miss our next research release: ‘Auditing Health AI: Money, Rules, and Patient Data in the EU.’ Scroll to the end for details.

In a nutshell

• Liberties’ Head of Tech and Rights Program Eva took part in the IMPACT mission to Hungary, organised by the European Federation of Journalists, which discussed how to rebuild democratic media institutions and the impact EMFA can make.
• Kersty McCourt, a Senior Advocacy Advisor at Liberties spoke at webinar hosted by the Human Rights Cities Network, exploring civil society’s role in shaping local decision-making
• Senior Advocacy Officer Jonathan Day led an AI workshop for Liberties’ member organisations, focused on AI governance and data protection.
• Following six months of online sessions led by Israel Butler, Head of Narrative and Framing, and Eleanor Brooks, Senior Communications Officer, participants from around Europe flew to Liberties office in Berlin for an intensive train-the-trainer workshop in persuasive messaging.

In Focus

The EU rule of law report: a tool that records rather than prevents?

Is the EU’s Rule of Law Report driving meaningful change or simply documenting democratic decline? Liberties’ 2026 Gap Analysis reveals that 96% of recommendations remain unimplemented, exposing the Commission’s failure to turn warnings into action. Our analysis calls for stronger accountability, earlier intervention and better support for democratic recovery. Read more about how we think the EU’s rule of law report falls short.

Hungary’s democratic renewal: why EU Rule of Law monitoring must evolve

Hungary’s change of government offers a historic opportunity to reverse 16 years of democratic backsliding. But is the EU’s Rule of Law Report equipped to support democratic recovery? Drawing on Hungary’s experience, Liberties identifies three ways the report must evolve: adapt to changing priorities, scrutinise new institutions and assess whether reforms deliver meaningful change in practice. Learn more about our recommendations to make the report an effective tool to protect democracy.

Want to help us produce next year’s report? Join Liberties as an Advocacy or Communications intern. Learn more about the application process.

In the news:

EU’s 2026 rule‑of‑law report doesn’t trigger real action, says human rights watchdog (EU Observer)

EU’s Rule of Law Report Risks Becoming Toothless, Says Liberties (Balkan Insight)

Lo stato di diritto: tutte le lacune del rapporto della Commissione Unione Europea (La Republica/Italian)

Exercise of the legislative powers delegated by the Romanian Government during the period 2004–2026 (Juridice/Romanian)

‘Too many lawyers’: the problem with Europe’s human rights NGOs (EU Observer/Gift Link)

One-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research reveals

Big Tech Will Be the Only Winner Under the Digital Omnibus, While We Pay the Price

The EU’s Digital Omnibus could hand Big Tech unprecedented access to our personal data, allowing AI companies to use sensitive information to train their models without our consent. Pushed through at breakneck speed under the guise of competitiveness, the proposed changes threaten to dismantle key privacy protections while benefiting the very tech giants Europe claims to be competing with. Read more about how the Digital Omnibus could put your privacy at risk and why Liberties is urging EU governments to act.

The EU is Pushing to Weaken Privacy Rules for AI

The EU is rushing to weaken privacy protections for AI companies, potentially allowing tech giants to exploit our personal data to train their systems. While Brussels claims the changes will boost European competitiveness, they could end up handing US and Chinese tech giants an even bigger advantage. Liberties is urging EU Member States to reject these dangerous proposals before they become law. Read more about why Liberties is sounding the alarm and how you can help protect your privacy.

Member’s corner

Meet Our Members: Why The Stories We Tell Matter

Whose stories get told, and whose voices go unheard? Meet Andrea Oleandri, Co-Executive Director of Liberties' Italian member CILD, journalist and human rights defender. From amplifying prisoners’ voices to challenging stereotypes about migrants, Andrea explains why storytelling is a powerful tool for changing perceptions and defending human rights, and reflects on how social media and disinformation are reshaping the way we understand the world. Meet Andrea and discover why the stories we tell matter for human rights.

Our French member VoxPublic has been busy tackling Big Tech’s impact on democracy and fundamental rights. Their latest analysis exposes violence and harassment targeting civil society organisations on social media. They’ve also launched a new four-part podcast exploring Big Tech and democracy, featuring Liberties’ own Eva, and Biblio’TECH, a collaborative online library bringing together resources on AI, digital rights, online discrimination and social media platforms, to enable users to find practical guidance to protect themselves. You can also submit resources that are relevant to the library’s mission.

Our Belgian member Ligue des Droits is joining civil society organisations in opposing the proposed Quintin law, which would allow the government to ban associations' activities without a court ruling. Critics warn that the law threatens freedom of association and fundamental democratic rights.

Take action: Sign the petition calling on Belgian lawmakers to reject the bill.

What we read, watch or sign up to

‘I’m 42 and I’ve spent my entire adult life held captive by Bibi’ – can Israel finally break free of Netanyahu, as Hungary did of Orbán? (EU Observer - Gift Article Link)

Can the EU survive with far-right leaders running major member states? The answer is worrying (EU Observer - Gift Article Link)

AI less regulated than milk, Microsoft president says in warning over safety (The Guardian)

In conversation with Amal Clooney: How responsible AI could bridge the justice gap (Harvey)

Leaked emails show AfD co-leader’s U-turn on ‘explosive’ nationalist colleague (Politico)

Justine McCarthy: A soldier explains his rationale for participating in genocide. ‘It’s so insanely fun’ (Irish Times)

One-in-three European voters now support an authoritarian or populist party, new research reveals (EU Observer - Gift Article Link)

SAVE THE DATE: re:publica 27 | 10-12 May 2027

What to expect in the cold November rain?

Drum roll…. Our new research into who controls the AI entering Europe's hospitals, what happens to patients' most sensitive data, and whether the laws meant to protect them actually work is dropping in a preferred comms channel soon. By the way, are you following us yet on our LinkedIn (where all our newest releases drop first)?

In the meantime, sign up for our free online curtain-raiser webinar on November 24th, 11.30 - 13.00 via Eventbrite.