Irena Joveva

This is what @avucic 's democracy looks like: accredited election observers being beaten up by thugs from his @SNSSerbia party outside local polling stations. Friends of the @EPP : is it acceptable for one of your member parties to behave in this way?

What is happening in Serbia today is not just alarming — it is unacceptable. Reports from across the country describe a systematic assault on democracy: alleged ballot fraud, duplicate voter lists, vote-buying, intimidation around polling stations, and even the presence of armed men near polling stations. Citizens have reportedly been attacked simply for documenting abuses. This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern of power defending itself through fear. As EDP Secretary General Sandro Gozi warned, this is not the picture of a normal democratic election, but of “a system under pressure, using pressure in return”. When fear replaces freedom, when intimidation replaces participation, the very foundation of democracy collapses. According to media reports, the minimum conditions for a credible vote are simply not there. Europe cannot afford ambiguity. A country that claims a European future cannot undermine the integrity of elections. Silence now would mean complicity. The Serbian people deserve real choice, real protection, real democracy.

🔴 Ageing population and declining birth rate behind policy to allow entry to 500,000 non-EU immigrants 🔗: telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

!!!! In 2026!!!

Victor Orban’s Hungary is poor, stagnant and repressive. The people have no reason to like the governement. So how can his party win? Only through a campaign of deepfake-propaganda and fear mongering about imagined enemies. Welcome to the future. theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/…

@EPPGroup S&D, Renew, ECR, and the Greens after EPP’s false accusations of derailing the extension. It was actually the EPP who obstructed the compromises needed to find a viable solution the Council could still adopt today in Coreper.

SOCIALISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEAVING CHILDREN UNPROTECTED The EPP Group condemns today’s move by Socialists, together with Renew, ECR and Greens, to table new amendments that have derailed the extension of EU rules against online child sexual abuse – just days before the current law expires on 3 April. This plays directly into the hands of online sex predators. From the outset, it was clear: any changes beyond the EPP Group’s single technical amendment – already backed by Member States – would kill the deal by forcing the file back into lengthy negotiations, leaving no time to avoid a protection gap. By taking this path, these groups have blocked the only workable solution to maintain detection and reporting of child sexual abuse online. “Despite EPP efforts, S&D failed to lead the process, preventing an agreement with EU Member States. This is completely irresponsible,” said Javier Zarzalejos MEP, EPP Group negotiator on the file. “Protecting children is not optional,” said Lena Düpont MEP, EPP Group spokeswoman on Legal and Home Affairs. “Stop hiding behind excuses and take responsibility. This leaves children exposed and offenders unchallenged.” What is illegal offline must also be illegal online. Reports of child sexual abuse have surged from 1 million in 2010 to over 20 million in 2024, while online grooming has increased twelvefold in just three years. Extending the current rules was not a final fix, but a necessary bridge. Forcing new negotiations now risks a legal vacuum, leaves children exposed, and weakens law enforcement across Europe. @zarzalejosj @LenaDuepontMdEP 📰epp.group/hnx8nb88

Victory in the social media trial in LA! As of today, we are in a new world: a new era in the fight to protect children from online harms. A jury sided with Kaley and therefore with millions of children: Big Tech is harming kids on an industrial scale. For years, parents were told these harms were exaggerated, anecdotal, or simply the unavoidable cost of growing up online. Today, a jury affirmed what parents have long known: Meta and YouTube were designed to exploit young people, with devastating consequences. For the first time, the law aligns with common sense: social media companies no longer have a special exemption to harm children with impunity. Their shield is gone. They will be treated like any industry that knowingly harms children and lies about it. History will judge them as harshly as the tobacco industry. This bellwether case tested a new legal theory: the harm is not just what algorithms show children, but rather that these products were designed to foster addiction. The companies knew they were harming children by the millions—and did it anyway. They were negligent and dishonest. This outcome belongs first and foremost to the families, especially the many parents who, in the face of unimaginable loss, chose to speak out, demand accountability, and endure a painful legal process so that other children might be spared. This is just the beginning. Thousands of cases will follow, bringing Meta, Snap, TikTok, and YouTube to court. Much work remains in courts, legislatures, schools, and communities. But for now, let us all just savor the long-awaited arrival of justice. nytimes.com/2026/03/25/tec…

In a volatile world increasingly threatened by autocrats, protecting our freedom from those who thrive on division and resentment is paramount. 4 years ago, Slovenia rejected illiberal populism, and we will do it again this Sunday. Our future is, and must remain, democratic. 🇪🇺

The uncovering has begun. If only more EU governments showed the resolve of Slovenia. Forward and upward. #DecolonizeMultilateralism

Protecting the integrity of our elections is non-negotiable We are calling for an urgent, independent investigation into allegations of foreign interference in Slovenia’s elections European democracy is not for sale! @ValerieHayer & @HBrandstaetter reneweuropegroup.eu/news/2026-03-1…

EXCLUSIVE: Slovenia’s PM Robert Golob has urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to investigate accusations that Israeli spy firm Black Cube interfered in the country’s election campaign, according to a letter we obtained. politico.eu/article/robert…

There has been no rally-round-the-flag effect following Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran; the war itself is broadly unpopular, with the majority of Americans disapproving of his handling of the conflict. Discover more here: econ.st/4rH2KSR

wow -- Micheál Martin makes a case to Trump's face in favor of immigration

If it is confirmed, as it currently appears, that the EPP is not only voting with the far right but has also been working on legislative texts together with parties such as the AfD and PfE, this would constitute a serious political mistake. You do not build majorities in the democratic centre of the European Parliament with forces that seek to undermine Europe from within. Manfred Weber has in the past explicitly denied any structural cooperation with the far right. If there have now been chat groups, negotiation meetings, and the adoption of proposals from this camp, then this contradiction is unmistakable. Anyone who publicly invokes democratic cooperation while quietly signalling to the far right behind the scenes is causing serious damage to trust. For some time now, we have seen the EPP putting pressure on the democratic “platform” (working coalition) of EPP, S&D and Renew in Parliament, following the logic: either you follow our line, or we will seek a majority with the far right. Those who act in this way are, in effect, abandoning reliable cooperation among pro-European forces and putting the democratic functioning of this House at risk.

Meta appears to be reversing its strong stance on encryption. The first obvious casualty is that they’re abandoning and disabling end-to-end encryption in Instagram DMs.

Predsednica republike Nataša Pirc Musar in premier Robert Golob sta na voditelje evropskih institucij in držav članic EU naslovila skupno pismo v podporo Mednarodnemu kazenskemu sodišču (ICC). 🔗n1info.si/novice/sloveni… 👇

New polling in Italy shows 69.5% of Italians believe Italy should follow Spain’s lead and deny the use of U.S. military bases on its territory. Only 15.9% disagree. A major signal of growing friction within NATO’s southern public sentiment.

Goed om vandaag te spreken met de Sloveense minister-president Golob (@vladaRS). Nederland en Slovenië hebben een sterke band en denken over veel onderwerpen hetzelfde. Zo zijn we het eens over het belang van de rechtstaat en de duurzame energietransitie voor een sterk Europa. Ik kijk uit naar onze samenwerking.

It was good to speak with Slovenian Prime Minister Golob (@vladaRS) today. The Netherlands and Slovenia have strong ties and share similar views on many issues, such as the importance of the rule of law and the sustainable energy transition for a strong Europe. I look forward to our cooperation.

Renew Europe salue la prolongation des règles de lutte contre les abus sexuels sur mineurs. En ciblant les contenus illicites connus et en protégeant le chiffrement, nous défendons les enfants sans porter atteinte à la vie privée. @IJoveva @hildevautmans reneweuropegroup.eu/fr/news/2026-0…