The European Union leaders’ summit took place in Brussels this week in response to US-Russian talks deciding Ukraine’s future. Following resistance from Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, plans to shore up Ukraine’s financial security by offering reparations against frozen Russian assets never came to fruition.

Meanwhile, in Strasbourg (and it is starting to feel like Groundhog Day as I write this), Von der Leyen survived two votes of no confidence in the Parliament at the beginning of October (on the tail of a previous vote of no confidence in July). The votes were by no means close to the two-thirds majority needed to oust her, which cements her authority as head of the Commission. But the slim majority who voted in her favour suggests a divided Parliament, which portends troubled waters when the Commission wants to pass legislation.

The Commission also released its 2026 work programme. From Liberties’ perspective, the New Media Resilience Programme, EU Anti-Corruption strategy and Digital Fairness Act are promising, whereas the deregulation of digital legislation, data protection and competition in media could be a cause for concern.

It has been a rocky month for European politics, with far-right populist Andrej Babiš and his ANO movement returning to power in Czechia, and political upheaval in France as Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu and his government resigned after 26 days in power.

On the international front, a shaky ceasefire was reached between Palestine and Israel. Although the EU played no role in brokering the deal, it responded by pausing plans to sanction Israel, triggering criticism that it is failing to respond to breaches of European and international law.

Liberties and its members at our annual General Assembly

In a nutshell

• Europe condemned for Flotilla response: Liberties signed a statement demanding EU Council action following repression on protests in solidarity with Flotilla and Palestinian people and silence about the unlawful interception of the boats.
• Check-in in Czechia: Our Head of Comms Valentin Toth delivered a messaging workshop in Prague to bolster civil society against inevitable pushback from a Babiš government
• Uphold the AI Act: Liberties joined a coalition of NGOs calling on the Commission to protect Pride participants by launching infringement proceedings against Hungary following its use of AI surveillance.
• Welcome to the team: Liberties is delighted to welcome Diego Naranjo to the team, as Liberties’ Brussels-based presence advocating for digital rights.

In Focus

Liberties’ Submission on the “Simplification – Digital Package and Omnibus” Call for Evidence

Liberties calls on the European Commission to prioritise fundamental rights over corporate convenience and resist deregulatory pressure. Read it here.

In the news

Privacy groups assail appointment of ex-tech lobbyist to Irish tech regulator

Campaigners, including Liberties, say the appointment of Niamh Sweeney undermines trust in the Data Protection Commission, which they say has an “abysmal” record in taking on big tech companies. (via The Irish Times - Ireland

The paradox of the new EU regulation on online political advertising. More protection or just a gag?

The paradox of the new EU regulation on online political advertising. More protection or just a gag? Digital freedom organisations, including European Digital Rights (EDRi) and Liberties, warn that too broad a definition of “political messaging” could end up subsuming civic or social campaigns (for example, on the environment or human rights), freezing public debate in the name of transparency. (via la mia finanza - Italian)

Meet our Members

A 24/7 activist, whose campaigning instincts come from the arts

Meet Simona Levi, founder of Barcelona-based digital rights NGO Xnet, who honed her instinct for creative and emotionally engaging campaigns through the arts. Read her fascinating interview here.

• Bleak news in Bulgaria: Political instability, an alarming backsliding in respect for citizens’ fundamental rights, and the lack of an active institutional stance and work to protect them – these are the main findings in the annual report ‘Human Rights in Bulgaria in 2024’ by our Bulgarian member, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee.

• 2025 Daphne Caruana Prize for Journalism: Congrats to Follow the Money, which was awarded the much-coveted prize, beating out nine other finalists shortlisted.
  
  • Meanwhile, a new report by The Daphne Foundation, Justice at Risk: The Impact of Delayed Legal Proceedings in Wilful Homicide Cases in Malta, reveals severe and systemic shortcomings within Malta’s judicial system. The report highlights how delays in homicide cases are denying victims and their families timely justice and calls for judicial reform, an increase in human resources, and better use of technology.

• Climate Justice Conference: Using funding granted by Liberties under the STRIVE initiative (Strengthening the Rule of Law through Innovative Voices in Europe), one of our Italian members CILD, hosted a session with experts, activists, and professionals from the sector to discuss the legal challenges and opportunities in climate litigation in Italy.

Read/Listen

• Meta and Google stop political ads, hurting research on EU (EU Observer)
• The 5 tribes giving von der Leyen the biggest headaches (Politico)
• European Investment Fund financed Israeli spyware company Paragon (Apache)
• Von der Leyen's 'democracy shield'? Practice what you preach first (EU Observer)
• Europe’s punitive welfare systems are fuelling the far-right (EU Observer)
• The EU was complicit in the war in Gaza. Trump’s plan can’t be an excuse to dodge responsibility now (The Guardian)
• How Orbán funnels Hungary’s assets to his allies (Follow the Money)

Coming up:

• Rule of Law Gap Analysis
• Launch Civic Space Tracker
• New T-shirts dropping soon — find them on our Donate Page!