DiEM25

In a quiet vote last Tuesday, EU lawmakers brought in new rules for public spending… which could have a profound effect on millions in Europe. The supposed goal of this overhaul was to make the rules clearer and more investment-friendly, with supporters calling them a necessary step towards economic stability. But critics say the change will force big budget cuts in many EU member states, meaning less money for vital social services and climate action. And, they fear, it will lead Europe back to the dark days of austerity in the 2010s… that decimated living standards for a generation. DiEM25 is running in the European Elections this June, with a very different idea of how EU economic policy should look. In this live discussion, join our own Yanis Varoufakis with our lead candidates and others, to unpack this vital topic… and have your say!

The long repression of pro-Palestinian voices in Germany reached a peak last Friday. German police shut down the Palestine Congress, a vital event to unite activists around a ceasefire for Gaza. They detained participants, including Jewish activists; they deported a Palestinian speaker. And then they banned our own Yanis Varoufakis, not only from making political speeches in Germany, but also from doing so over Zoom (!). These authoritarian moves make it clear: Germany is intent on silencing anyone who speaks out against its complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. So for our livestream this week, Yanis Varoufakis and colleagues who attended the Palestine Congress will be dissecting this brazen act of state repression against Palestinian solidarity. What lessons can we draw? How has the reaction been? And what could all this mean for the future of free speech and pro-Palestine activism in Germany, and around the world?

As Israel’s genocide in Gaza rages on, Germany is leading efforts to silence criticism of Israel's actions. The German government and its institutions have cancelled a stream of cultural events that show solidarity with Palestine, smearing prominent artists and intellectuals – many of them Jewish – as anti-semitic. They’ve intimidated activists and searched their homes. They’ve even made cultural grants – and in the case of one German state, citizenship – contingent on support for Israel. And now, German politicians are trying to ban the Palestine Congress, a vital event planned for the 12-14 April in Berlin, to unite activists for a ceasefire in Gaza. How successful have these clampdowns been in hindering activism for Palestine? What are the underlying factors propelling the authoritarian stance of German politicians, and how does this relate to the country’s Nazi history? And as we move into the European elections, what might this repression mean for Germany, for other countries in Europe, and for the plight of the Palestinian people? Our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, and Karin De Rigo and Lucas Febraro from Berlin, investigate.

The proxy war in Ukraine between NATO and Russia has come into sharp focus in recent weeks. French President Macron refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine, provoking a wide backlash. The German leader, Scholz, claimed that British soldiers are already fighting on the battlefield. Putin warned of nuclear war if NATO troops were sent to Ukraine; his leading critic, Navalny, died in a Russian jail. And a report in The New York Times revealed the CIA's decade-long operation of spy bases along Russia’s border. As the US government is poised to deliver its largest military ‘aid’ package yet to support the Ukrainian war effort, and with European nations ramping up their assistance against the backdrop of an impending European election, the implications for Europe and the world loom large. What do these latest developments mean? Is a direct confrontation between nuclear powers unavoidable, or does the possibility for a negotiated peace still exist? Our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Erik Edman and Federico Dolce, investigates.

This week, we’ll have the final ruling on whether Julian Assange can be extradited to the US, to face a 175-year prison sentence for revealing the secrets of power. The case casts a long shadow over press freedom, signaling what many see as the ultimate demise of journalistic independence. At the same time, the media’s historical role in supporting (selling) conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and its imbalanced coverage of the situation in Gaza, raises pressing questions about the impartiality and integrity of our news sources. While accusations of ‘disinformation’ have become increasingly weaponised to discredit dissent. As we stand on the brink of global conflict, what does all this mean for the future of journalism, democratic discourse, and our understanding of world events? How do these dynamics affect our ability to confront power and make informed decisions as a society? Our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Karin De Rigo and Federico Dolce, investigates.

Farmers’ protests have erupted across the EU. In Germany, Greece, Italy and other countries, they’re blocking city centres with tractors, spraying manure on government buildings and pelting officials with eggs. Why? Inadequate compensation, high taxes, red tape and the impact of climate regulations. Establishment media have dismissed the protests as the grumblings of a coddled group over unfair competition, and suggested that the rallies are driven by the far-right. But others point out that far-right parties are co-opting farmers’ legitimate concerns: those of ordinary people whose needs are being ignored by elites. What’s really behind these protests? And with the European elections on the horizon, and far-right parties on the rise, what might it all mean? Our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Karin De Rigo and Federico Dolce, investigates. Join us live and have your say!

An interview with Udi Raz from Jewish Voice for Peace in the Middle East on how the Holocaust impacted the societies and politics of both Germany and Israel January 27 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a date of enormous symbolic importance in Europe, marking one of the darkest chapters in human history. It's a day of particular significance in Germany, of course. The so-called remembrance culture, Germany's reckoning with the legacy of the Nazi periods, and the industrial scale genocides perpetrated by the Nazi regime, have been much lauded internationally. But today, parts of this culture are increasingly coming into question by many, with charges of antisemitism being used by German institutions to silence voices speaking up for the rights of Palestinians in particular. The targets of these charges are, disproportionately, the Palestinians themselves, Arabs, more broadly, and Jews. On the international stage, meanwhile, Germany's long steadfast support for the State of Israel, which remains unshaken even as the civilian toll in Gaza continues to climb to ever more obscene numbers, has raised the ire of many. The support, of course, is again justified by the legacy of the Holocaust and the German state's resulting sense of responsibility towards the security of the Jewish state. What about Israel itself? How has the memory of the Holocaust shaped Israeli society and how does it influence the Israeli government's words and actions? To discuss all this, DiEM25 Communications Director Lucas Febraro sat down with Udi Raz, a doctoral fellow at the Berlin Graduate School for Muslim Cultures and Societies and a board member of Jewish Voice for Peace in the Middle East, in Germany.

A new front has opened on Israel-Palestine: South Africa confronted Israel with accusations of genocide at the UN’s top court. The submission also called on the court to order the Jewish state to stop its military operations against Palestinians, which have killed more than 23,350 civilians since October 7. The case has already exposed divisions in Europe, with Germany’s unwavering support for Israel standing in stark contrast to statements from officials in Spain, Ireland and Belgium. Could this court case really change the reality for the people of Gaza, or is it just a sideshow as Israel continues its murderous campaign? And what might its outcome mean for Israel’s credibility, for European governments, and for us all? Join Yanis Varoufakis and our team of activists and thinkers as we dive into this topic. Tune in live and share your thoughts and questions with us! SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official

In this interview Mehran Khalili talks with Lucas Febraro, DiEM25 Communications Director, about the situation in the Middle east and the information war that's running in parallel with it. #Gaza #Israel #Palestine

It’s that time of year! So in this holiday livestream, we’re switching things up a bit. Join us as we look back on the pivotal moments of 2023. We’ll be predicting what lies ahead, and discussing the implications for anti-establishment activism. It’s not all serious though. We’ll also be sharing our personal holiday season recommendations – and we'd love to hear yours too. Drop your thoughts in the chat and we’ll discuss them live. So pour yourself a favorite beverage and spend some time with Yanis Varoufakis, Karin De Rigo, Lucas Febraro, and the rest of our team as we wind down the old and welcome the new. SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate  Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official

As the dust settles on COP28, it's time to reflect: did this conference mark a turning point in the global fight against climate change, or was it another chapter in a long story of missed opportunities and unfulfilled promises? In a world where the effects of climate change are disproportionately borne by those least responsible, Europe's role extends beyond its borders, with debates raging over Europe's role and responsibilities in the climate crisis. With new commitments made and old ones scrutinised, we ask the question: Can Europe lead the way towards a sustainable future with climate justice? And, if so, how? Join Yanis Varoufakis and our team of activists and thinkers as we dissect the outcomes of COP28. Tune in live and share your thoughts and questions with us! SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official

In this interview, recorded on November 22, Mehran Khalili talks with Lucille Cornelius, DiEM25 member and activist living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, about the real meaning behind the Dutch election results, rising far-right and what we can do to tackle this political trend across Europe. SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate  Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official 

Several latent conflicts have resurfaced. In Gaza, Israel’s relentless bombardment of innocent civilians in Palestine is entering its seventh week. In Ukraine, the fight against Russia is slipping towards a violent, bloody stalemate. These conflicts are testing traditional geopolitical alliances, and bringing about new ones. Meanwhile, this century has seen major shifts in world power. The US is no longer dominant, while China, Russia, and India have grown stronger and more influential. With these power shifts and global instability, how can we work towards peace? And what role should Europe play in this new global order? Our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita and Amir Kiyaei, will be tackling these issues and more. Join us and put your questions to them live! SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join  Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official 

Mainstream media and politicians are decrying a surge in antisemitic incidents in Europe, as Israel continues its indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in retaliation for the Hamas attack of October 7. But these pronouncements have also sparked accusations of Islamophobia. Some politicians and commentators have implied that antisemitism is intrinsic to Muslim communities. Meanwhile, European leaders and institutions are intensifying their crackdown on public solidarity with the Palestinian cause, banning protests, cancelling events, and creating a climate that challenges Europe’s commitment to free speech. What’s the reality behind these disturbing dynamics? What repercussions might there be for the wider Middle Eastern context? And, of course, what can we all do about it? That’s what our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Erik Edman and Julijana Zita, will discuss. Join us and put your questions to them live! End the siege on Gaza!  End Israeli apartheid!: Sign the petition: https://diem25.org/end-the-siege-gaza-end-israeli-apartheid  SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join​  Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official

We’re more than two weeks into the implacable collective punishment of the Palestinian people by Israel. Thousands of civilians have been killed, most of them children, in a campaign that has Palestinians and Western activists and academics ringing the alarm bells of genocide. And yet our European leaders seem incapable to see anything but Israel exercising its “right to self-defence”. Unelected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered her unqualified support to Israel, with not a word about respect for the rights of Palestinians. French leader Emmanuel Macron criminalised pro-Palestine protests, as did German chancellor Olaf Scholz—who has also called for less refugees coming into Germany, and even for mass deportations. How independent can Europe be, when it falls so nakedly in line with the US’ position on the conflict? What’s really behind these cowardly moves of our 'leaders'? And what can all of us, watching the horrors unfold on our screens, do about it? Sign the petition: https://diem25.org/end-the-siege-gaza-end-israeli-apartheid/

For over half a century, the enduring occupation of Palestine has led to indescribable suffering being inflicted upon the Palestinian population. Leading Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights groups have said that the totality and severity of the human rights violations against the Palestinian population amount to the crime against humanity of apartheid. Living under the shadow of apartheid, individuals are left with a grim choice: silent suffering or resistance. Days ago, Hamas—the Islamist organisation that governs the blockaded and densely populated Gaza Strip—launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, with fighting raging well inside Israeli territory. Hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians have already been killed, many of them civilians. How can we bring a stop to the loss of innocent lives, and prevent a possibly catastrophic response from the far-right Israel government? How does this conflict relate to others around the world, including the war currently raging in Ukraine? And, most importantly, how can we achieve a lasting, just peace, in Palestine and beyond? That’s what our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Erik Edman and Julijana Zita, will discuss. Join us live and be part of this vital conversation.

When is infringing on civil liberties fair game against political opponents? 2023 has seen a depressing uptick in attacks on civil liberties in the name of political disagreement, from across the ideological spectrum. Jeremy Corbyn was a victim of a frivolous lawsuit to silence him. Nigel Farage claimed his bank account was closed due to his controversial ‘values’. And across both sides of the Atlantic, prominent activists, journalists and influencers have been deplatformed or experienced financial repercussions as a consequence of their political stances. The list goes on. In this live discussion, we’ll be asking: Is it ever justifiable to curtail civil liberties, like freedom of speech and financial access, when the individuals involved hold polarising views? Or does this set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of democratic norms? Our diverse panel — including our own Yanis Varoufakis — will bring various perspectives to the table on the vital issue.

Major events in Africa have taken place in recent weeks. In Niger and Gabon, coups d’état removed historical European allies from power, adding to a growing list of such events in the Western part of the continent since 2020. New governments in countries like Burkina Faso, backed by broad popular support, are reassessing their deep neocolonial ties with Europe, particularly France. While Paris and its remaining West African allies reject the authority of these governments, and even threaten war. Meanwhile, a landmark summit of the BRICS group of major emerging economies happened in Johannesburg. The bloc’s leaders stated their intention to shape the global economic order, reduce dependency on the US dollar, expand its membership, and promote green growth. Could this wave of upheaval in Africa lead to an end to European exploitation? Or will it only result in despotism and corruption? Can the emboldened BRICS really lead the world into a fairer international order? And what should Europe’s place be in all of this? That’s what we’ll debate with our panel, including Yanis Varoufakis, Nomazulu Thata and Amir Kiyaei. Join us live and send us your comments and questions!

Anger is palpable in the streets of France today, as the recent killing of 17-year-old Nahel by police during a traffic stop ignited countrywide protests. Such large-scale unrest hadn’t been seen since the Gilet Jaunes movement took off five years ago. As a result of this, and of his extremely unpopular pension reform – which also saw widespread protests – Emmanuel Macron's popularity has hit rock bottom, with support surging for both the far-right and the Left. What does all of this mean for people in France, and what lessons can be learned by those elsewhere in Europe? Join us for this vital conversation featuring Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita, Erik Edman and the rest of our team, as well as our special guest, Stathis Kouvelakis. And remember to send us your comments and questions live!

This month saw one of the worst shipwrecks in Europe in a decade. Up to 700 people drowned, including at least 100 children, when a refugee boat sank off the Greek coast on June 14. It’s another tragic milestone resulting from the anti-migrant policies of governments like Greece, and of the EU itself. Inhumane policies that were given voice last year by the EU’s foreign affairs chief: Europe is “beautiful garden”, he said, that must be protected from the surrounding “jungle” that’s ready to “invade it”. Similar tragedies have failed to bring enough public attention to the plight of migrants in the Mediterranean. This time, though, could be different. Survivors and NGOs have accused Greek authorities of playing a role in the deaths. The Hellenic Coast Guard, they say, watched the boat drift for hours without making any attempt to rescue people — and may have then contributed to its capsizing. What are the latest developments in this crisis? Who should be held accountable? And what needs to change to prevent further tragedies? Join us for this vital conversation featuring our special guest, Miguel Duarte, a tireless migrants’ rights activist who has already aided in the rescue of 14,000 people. And send us your comments and questions live.