As German kids trudge back to school, it reminds me how every September, the new term always felt like a second chance at a new beginning. So dust off your new year’s resolutions and have a second whack at them.

What you need to know from the German elections: The Left Party won Berlin, and AfD took the lead in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It was a disastrous election for the CDU, which failed to make the 5% threshold to enter parliament in MWP, but Merz has managed to hold onto power by the skin of his teeth.

In Brussels, the EU’s self-proclaimed reputation as a leader in global AI protection risks being dealt another blow. If passed, the Data Omnibus will strip back safeguards in the interest of creating a more business-friendly environment. Expect more from Liberties on this in the coming weeks, just as we’ll be sharing more on this year’s Rule of Law Gap Analysis

In a nutshell

• Liberties hosted a rule of law webinar featuring Sára Mirabell Hátlová from the European Commission focusing on how to address Slovakia’s classification as a ‘Dismantler’ in the Liberties Rule of Law Report 2026.
• Liberties colleagues joined a vigil held outside the Maltese embassy in Berlin to stand in solidarity with Daphne Caruana Galizia, where speakers, including our executive director Ilina Neshikj condemned Malta's culture of impunity, corruption and the trampling of the rule of law.
• Congrats to Balazs Denes, Liberties' former executive director, who has been appointed as Policy Officer on Civic Space at European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. We look forward to working with him in his new role.
• Liberties head of Narrative and Framing, Israel Butler, delivered training to Amnesty International Netherlands. Want a taster? Try our free online course on Knowledge Hub. Interested in training? Get in touch.

In Focus

Civic space in the EU has become increasingly restricted. And pushing back against those restrictions starts with tracking them. Aimed at a wide range of individuals and organisations, from policymakers, to civil society, academics and lawyers,

Liberties’ Civic Space Tracker is a new online database that monitors laws, policies, and legal actions that may restrict civic space across the EU. At its September 2026 launch, the tracker contained nearly 70 documents covering 21 EU Member States. Users can compare developments between countries and see how governments, institutions, courts, and civil-society organisations have responded. Liberties intends to update it continuously as new legal developments emerge. Take a look. 

Who Decides When an AI System is High-Risk?

A key concern under the EU AI Act is that AI systems with serious effects on people’s rights may escape “high-risk” classification because of how their purpose is described. This could affect tools used in recruitment, workplace monitoring, elections or criminal justice, even when they influence consequential decisions. Here are Liberties’ thoughts on how to close this loophole.

The EU is Pushing to Weaken Privacy Rules for AI

Time is running out: the EU’s Data Omnibus could give AI companies easier access to our personal data—at the expense of privacy. Before it finalises its position, Liberties is calling on the Council to move away from the current draft of the proposed text, which would benefit Big Tech. Learn more. 

In the news

Elections aren't enough to be considered democracy. How is "government by the people" doing around the world? Spoiler: Not good (Quotidiano/Italian)

Member Corner

Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation still seeking justice: Yorgen Fenech was acquitted of charges of complicity and criminal association in Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination on 2 September, despite his own admission in his formal police statement that he OK'd the execution of the plan to kill Daphne, and despite his having asked for a pardon five times. The 8-1 verdict prompted public outrage and raised questions. A number of jurors have since been arrested and are under investigation in relation to the oath they took at the start of the trial. The prosecution has now appealed the verdict.

ECtHR Designates BHC Case on SANS Oversight as a Key Case: Bulgaria is now required to reform oversight of its security services after the European Court of Human Rights designated the Kanev and Bulgarian Helsinki Committee v. Bulgaria judgment as a key case. The ruling calls for effective and independent oversight where national security bodies can refuse to disclose whether individuals or organisations have been subject to secret surveillance. Learn more.

Ireland's first-ever class action: ICCL is using the new EU Collective Redress Directive to take action in court for everyone affected by Microsoft's dangerous broadcast of peoples' movements, interests, and characteristics to countless entities. Get the full story.

What We Read, Watch Listen

Germany's far-right AfD celebrates another state election win (Le Monde)

Maltese tycoon found not guilty of involvement in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder (The Guardian)

Video: The Life of Death and the Ensh*ttificator (Norwegien Data Authority)

Podcast: Inside the Hugging Face Incident: "This might be the clearest warning shot we ever get" (Dwarkesh)

How a 17th-century Irish law is shielding Big Tech from class actions in Europe (Politico)

Events

Skeptival 2026 (German)

The annual knowledge festival of Skeptix, the association for critical thinking, from 10 to 11 October in Berlin.

The Skeptival is the annual knowledge festival organised by Skeptix, the association for critical thinking. Over two days, it offers talks on sceptical topics and science communication. The focus is on exchange, curiosity and critical thinking: the festival is aimed at everyone who wants to better understand the world around them and connect with the community.

More information here

Image credit: 

Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash

MJ Duford on Unsplash