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As the continent battles a deadly heatwave, Europeans are experimenting with creative ways to cool down and stay safe during record-breaking temperatures. But perhaps something good will come of the heat stress. With media coverage (finally) connecting the sweltering heat to climate change, the summer of 2026 could mark a turning point in our willingness to take the climate crisis seriously. For decades, Europe has been spared the worst consequences of its contributions to global warming, but this year, the chickens have come home to roost.
Turning to Brussels, the European Parliament has taken a worrying step towards weakening a decade of digital rights protections by approving the first Digital Omnibus on 16 June. The trend toward legislative simplification is hardly an auspicious sign ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency, beginning in July. Even before its commencement, the Irish Presidency has been swirling in controversy as critics suggest the concentration of tech companies operating in the country amounts to a conflict of interest that precludes Ireland from being a fair broker on important tech files.
Meanwhile, in Germany, following 13 months of research by eight experts. Liberties’ German member GFF has declared the AfD party unconstitutional. But with Merz’s CDU saying they would rather challenge the right-wing extremist party in the polls rather than the courts, it doesn’t look like the AfD will be gone anytime soon.
In a nutshell
- Meet Our New Grantees: We are thrilled to announce the member organisations and projects awarded re-grants under the CERV STRIVE 2026 project.
- Liberties Joins AI Act Advisory Forum: Eva Simon, Head of Liberties’ Tech & Rights Programme, has been selected for the EU’s new AI Act Advisory Forum. Eva’s expertise is a strong guarantee that the enforcement of the AI Act will be carried out fairly across the EU — with people ahead of profit at its core. Congratulations to all the other selected experts, and we wish everyone great success in their work!
- “Fight for Us, Not for Them”: Participants came together in Brussels to discuss a public-interest vision for tech policy in response to mounting pressure for deregulation. Our own Jonathan Day was among those who opened the event.
- Rebuilding Rule of Law in Hungary: Liberties’ Kersty McCourt took part in the CEU Democracy Institute Rule of Law Clinic seminar, “Rebuilding the EU Values – Methods and Limitations”, in Budapest, sharing insights from Liberties’ Rule of Law Report and the findings of our Rule of Law Report Gap Analysis.
In Focus
The AI Omnibus: Fast-Tracking Deregulation, Weakening Digital Rights
By approving the first Digital Omnibus on 16 June, the European Parliament has taken a worrying step towards weakening a decade of digital rights protections.
Safe AI For Patients: Building Accountability in Digital Healthcare
A new project launched by the Liberties network aims to bring transparency, accountability and better practices to the use of personal data in the development and deployment of clinical AI systems.
Liberties In The News
Op-ed: Budapest free to celebrate Pride again, but Orbán-surveillance machine still in place
The new Hungarian government’s public support for Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community is a positive step. However, the previous restrictive laws remain in effect. Their repeal is a priority for democratic restoration. (EUObserver)
- Press freedom is under attack and the EU needs to do more (PubAffairs Bruxelles)
- Latvia’s Justice Minister loves Liberties (but only because we called her country a “Hard Worker” for their efforts to improve the rule of law) (TV Net, in Latvian)
- Greece registers the lowest trust rate (22%) in the media, in Europe (To BHMA, in Greek)
Members’ Corner
GFF: Evidence proves the AfD is unconstitutional
GFF’s latest AfD report is the most rigorous examination of the party ever undertaken, and it gives politicians and the public the clarity they have been waiting for: A case to ban the AfD would, in all likelihood, succeed.
HFHR: Poland has passed a landmark Anti-SLAPP Act, creating a strong legal framework to protect journalists, activists, and others participating in public debate from abusive lawsuits. The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), Liberties’ Polish member, has played an important role in supporting those targeted by SLAPPs.
VoxPublic: New Democratic Guide
As a result of a two-day workshop held in Paris in February, which Liberties’ own Eva Simon attended, Liberties’ French member VoxPublic produced a guide on 'Democracy and the rule of law in the face of the far right: the role and responsibility of Big Tech'. VoxPublic has also been busy coordinating a campaign about the appointment of the new Defender of Rights in France, fearing that Emmanuel Macron’s choice for the position will not be fundamental rights friendly.
Meet Our Members
Making Democracy Work for Everyone I Nyt Europa
Meet Rukiatu Sheriff, a Rights Advisor at Nyt Europa from Denmark and her bold view on work with civil society and the future of democracy. Learn more.
In Our Heads (What We Read)
The unbalanced sheet: What it costs to be a woman
Germany’s far right is finally poised for power
Inside Slovakia’s escalating war on NGOs
Cate Blanchett launches free tool to help people protect identity from AI
Test Your Hidden Lawn Mowing (Efficiency) Strategies with this Game
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