DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY
Fighting hate with hope

Democracy in Europe is under pressure. Across the continent, far-right movements are gaining ground by spreading fear, disinformation and division. They question the rule of law, attack independent courts and journalists and try to silence civil society. At the same time, many people feel left behind by years of political and economic decisions that did not deliver security, dignity or fairness.

Yet this moment is not only about danger. It is also about choice. Europe is a historic project built from the ashes of war, rooted in democracy, human rights and solidarity. For 75 years, it has helped secure peace, freedom of movement, social progress and shared prosperity. That legacy belongs to all of us, and it is worth defending.

How democracy shapes our everyday lives

Democracy is not an abstract idea, it shapes our daily life. It means courts that protect your rights when power is abused. It means free media that can expose corruption. It means the freedom to protest, to organise, to speak, to love, to believe, and to live without fear.

When the rule of law is weakened, ordinary people pay the price. We see it when governments attack judges who do not follow political orders, when journalists are threatened, or when NGOs are portrayed as enemies simply for defending nature, human rights or social justice. These are not isolated incidents. They are warning signs of authoritarian politics spreading in Europe. The Greens/EFA will not stand by while our democracy is weakened.

The far right’s strategy of fear and division

Far-right parties across Europe follow a familiar playbook. They blame migrants, minorities, journalists or civil society for problems they did not create. They promise simple answers to complex challenges, while offering no real solutions for low wages, rising rents or failing public services.

We, the Greens/EFA, have seen where this leads and we know there’s another way forward. From attacks on political campaigners in Germany and Spain, to harassment of elected representatives in Belgium and Sweden, violence and intimidation are becoming tools of far-right politics. At the same time, disinformation campaigns, often linked to Russian propaganda networks, aim to undermine trust in democracy itself.

This is not patriotism. It is fear politics, designed to divide societies so power can be concentrated in fewer hands.

Civil society and NGOs are pillars of our European democracy

A strong democracy needs a strong civil society. NGOs, grassroots movements, trade unions and community groups give people a voice. They defend clean air and water, women’s rights, minority rights, workers’ rights and digital freedoms. They hold corporations and governments accountable when no one else will.

That is precisely why they are under attack. An unholy alliance of far-right forces and conservative allies, backed by powerful corporate interests, is trying to discredit NGOs by questioning their funding and legitimacy. The goal is simple: silence criticism, weaken public oversight, and clear the way for unchecked corporate power.

We, the Greens/EFA, work to strengthen and sustain a vibrant civil society in Europe. Funding for civil society exists for a reason. Big tech, energy, chemical and financial lobbies spend millions every year to influence laws. NGO funding is an attempt to balance that power and ensure democracy works for people, not just profits.

Real people, real resistance across Europe

Across Europe, citizens are standing up. Millions have marched against far-right extremism in cities large and small. Volunteers support refugees, protect forests, defend local journalism and organise for fair housing. These actions may not always make headlines, but they are the beating heart of European democracy. We, the Greens/EFA, will always defend the freedom to protest, the right to assemble, and strong support for civil society.

Look at Ukraine, where people are fighting not only for their territory, but for the right to choose their future freely. Ukraine’s struggle reminds us that democracy and peace are inseparable. Supporting Ukraine is not only a geopolitical duty. It is a moral one. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security.

Ukraine’s fight is Europe’s fight for democracy

Ukraine’s fight is a fight for democracy in Europe. For three years, Ukrainians have been resisting Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion not only with weapons, but with courage, solidarity and an unbreakable belief in their right to decide their own future. People continue to vote, organise, report, teach and care for one another under the most extreme conditions.

We, the Greens/EFA have been the strongest political voice supporting Ukraine’s right to self-determination. We have cut reliance on Russian gas and fossil fuels and we recognise that Ukraine is defending freedom across Europe, for all of us.

This is what democracy looks like when it is under attack. Supporting Ukraine is not an act of charity or distant geopolitics. It is a responsibility rooted in our shared European values of freedom, self-determination and the rule of law. Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security, and a just and lasting peace can only be built if Ukraine enters negotiations strong, sovereign and free.

Taking back democracy from big tech

Big tech has become one of the most powerful forces shaping our democracies, yet it operates with too little democratic control. A handful of giant platforms and tech bros influence what we see, what we buy and how we debate, while ignoring national and European rules meant to protect citizens. Their business models reward outrage, spread disinformation and weaken independent media, all while extracting wealth from local economies.

This is why the Greens/EFA lead in promoting Europe’s tech sovereignty and strict EU rules to protect our citizens and democratic values. We backed the DSA, DMA, GDPR, and AI Act to guard against misuse of personal data, digital violence and the unchecked power of big tech.

Stopping big tech is therefore a democratic necessity. Europe must enforce strong digital rules like the GDPR and the AI Act, not water them down under corporate pressure. Democracy cannot survive if a few companies are allowed to set the rules of our public space. Bringing big tech under democratic control means protecting free speech, privacy and fair competition for everyone.

What does defending democracy look like?

We believe defending democracy also means addressing the real concerns people have about their lives. When wages stagnate, public services fail and inequality grows, trust in politics erodes. The far right exploits this anger without fixing its causes.

Our answer is different. We fight for well-paid quality jobs, strong public services, affordable housing and social security. We fight to bring big tech under democratic control, so digital platforms serve society instead of undermining it. Protecting democracy means protecting people from exploitation, corruption and abuse of power.

Defending democracy is not just about speeches. It is about action at European level and beyond.

Unity vs authoritarianism - you have the choice

The world is changing fast. As the United States become less predictable as an ally and authoritarian forces grow bolder, Europe must take responsibility for its future. That means defending democracy at home and supporting it abroad. It means standing firm against Russian aggression and standing on the side of Ukraine.

Europe was never meant to be a fortress of fear. It was built as a union of hope, cooperation and shared values.

Despite the threats we face, there is reason for hope. Democracy is resilient when people believe in it and participate in it. Every time citizens organise, speak out or stand up for others, democracy grows stronger.

The Greens/EFA stand shoulder-to-shoulder with civil society, activists, journalists and all those who refuse to be silenced. We believe in a Europe where everyone, regardless of background, can live with dignity, freedom and equality.

Democracy is not something we inherit once and for all. It is something we build together, every day. And together, we will defend it.

Did you know:

HOW WE FIGHT FOR A DEMOCRATIC EUROPE:

The rule of law everywhere in the EU -Independent courts, free media and equal application of the law in every member state
Strong civil society and free civic space – Guaranteed funding, protection and freedom for NGOs, trade unions and activists
Freedom from fear, hate and discrimination – A Europe where everyone can live, speak, love, organise and protest safely
Democracy protected from disinformation and foreign interference – Strong action against online manipulation, propaganda networks and attacks on our democratic processes
Democratic control over big tech and corporate power – Enforced EU rules to protect privacy, free speech, fair competition and independent media
Social justice as the foundation of democracy – Decent jobs, strong public services, affordable housing so people can trust democracy
A Europe that stands up for democracy beyond its borders –
Firm support for those fighting for freedom and self-determination, including Ukraine

DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY Fighting hate with hope