The reportage describes the pro-Palestinian protest in Berlin, which took place the day after the ceasefire in Gaza was declared. Despite the German chancellor's statement that there was no longer any reason to demonstrate, protesters expressed skepticism about the ceasefire agreement. The text also reflects the division of the German left on the issue of Palestine, with decolonial criticism leading to the emergence of new activist groups.
by Lucia Rončíková
first published by Kapitál under the title „Are we all terrorists?“ Reportáž z berlínskeho protestu United for Gaza
At around the age of 25, Mikuláš Minář found himself at the centre of political events by chance – until then, he had hardly been interested in politics. Nevertheless, he became one of the most recognisable faces of civil society protest in the post-communist era in the Czech Republic. How does it feel to carry the hopes and expectations of hundreds of thousands of people on your shoulders? And is it possible to maintain your own integrity while doing so?
by Ester Dobiášová
first published by Jádu under the title „Člověk si sám na záda nevidí“
The text deals with the growing power of the far right in Poland. It emphasizes that young voters, tired of traditional political parties, are looking for change and finding it in Konfederacja, which promises simple solutions and order. It draws attention to democratic erosion and warns that if the ruling coalition does not change course, Poland risks electing more radical politicians in future elections who question the very foundations of liberal democracy.
by Aneta Lakomá
first published by Kapitál under the title Krajní pravice v Polsku sílí, naneštěstí jí v tom napomáhá i současná vláda
An in-depth conversation with journalist and writer Ziemowit Szczerek, who reflects on why Serbia’s student movement gives hope for democratic change in Central Europe—and why their strategy has made them a true political force.
by Łukasz Słowiński with Ziemowit Szczerek
first published by KulturaLiberalna under the title Za studentami stanęli ludzie. Teraz trzeba się z nimi liczyć
For over eight months, students have protested daily in Serbia's major cities and reached out to rural communities, building solidarity and challenging a corrupt regime. These are the longest-running protests in the country's history—and a sign that a new generation refuses to accept authoritarianism.
by Łukasz Słowiński
first published by KulturaLiberalna under the title Młodzi Serbowie walczą z dyktaturą
In a time of information chaos and declining trust in media, high-quality regional journalism won’t save democracy—but it can reclaim ground from disinformation. This essay, written from the Czech perspective, explores why local reporting matters now more than ever. By returning to overlooked communities and local stories, journalists can rebuild trust, reach those left out of the national conversation, and help defend democracy where it’s most vulnerable: at home.
by Jan Žabka
first published by Kultura Liberalna under the title Recepta na dziennikarstwo w kryzysie? Powrót do domu
Europe can no longer rely on illusions of safety while Russia wages war next door and the U.S. retreats from its global role. Written from an Estonian perspective, this essay argues that Europe must urgently adapt—militarily, politically, and socially. Without bold reforms in defense, energy, and democratic legitimacy, the continent risks becoming irrelevant in a new global order. Change isn’t optional—it’s existential.
by Ivan Polynin
first published by Kultura Liberalna under the title Europa musi się zmienić albo przestanie istnieć
In a world shaken by Trump's isolationism and Putin's contempt for international law, the European Union has a chance to redefine global order—not through bureaucracy, but through values. This vision, rooted not in technocracy but in the moral imagination of thinkers like Czesław Miłosz and Altiero Spinelli, calls for a truly democratic, pluralistic Europe: one built on solidarity, not self-interest; on cooperation, not control. Will the EU choose principle over power?
by Oliver Cipov
first published by Kultura Liberalna under the title Europa Miłosza a nie brukselskich biurokratów
AI writes poetry while the planet burns. Millionaires dream of Mars, the poor dream of air conditioning. And we all feel that the future has become a luxury. This crisis is not technological. It is civilisational. Before machines replace us, perhaps we should ask ourselves why we built them in the first place. What if AI is not the problem, but merely a mirror of where we have ended up?
by Stanislav Biler
first published by JÁDU under the title Make člověk great again
Conspiracy stories are nothing new. However, in today's climate of political crisis, they seem to have become a battleground between those who believe in them and those who see them as a sign of the decline of liberal democracy. But alarmism and stigmatisation won't solve the problem, says Dominik Želinský, head of the ‘Pantruth’ (Pandemic Truths) project on conspiracy theories in the Visegrad Group countries.
by Dominik Želinský
first published in Jádu under the title Od konšpiračných teórií k teórii antikonšpirativizmu
A premature victory speech and overconfidence in shaky poll data reveal deeper flaws within Poland’s centrist political elite. As the ruling coalition shows signs of strain, young voters and shifting alliances hint at the unravelling of the country’s long-dominant political duopoly.
by Ben Stanley
first published in Kultura Liberalna under the title Koalicja rządząca – małżeństwo z rozsądku na zakręcie
The opinions of politicians with disabilities tend to be overlooked, even on issues that directly affect them. Furthermore, there are very few politicians with disabilities working in Slovak politics, from the municipal to the parliamentary level. Petra Eller spoke with six of them about the current situation in Slovakia and the importance of political representation.
by Petra Eller
first published by JÁDU under the title „O nás bez nás“ oslabuje demokraciu
Petr Uram shines a light on the connection between US Vice President J. D. Vance and technocratic billionaire Peter Thiel, the ideological direction of the American tech industry, and the "new theology" that often secretly rules the political scene.
by Petr Uram
first published by revue Prostor under the title Staronová americká teologie
From Ukraine to global conflicts, words alone fail without enforcement. As power shifts, can diplomacy still ensure peace, or must it be backed by strength to hold real value in today's world?
The text begins as the author's journey to documentary filmmaking, but culminates in an expression of concern for the future of Slovak culture, and specifically documentary film, in the context of the current political situation in Slovakia and the limitations on funding for independent institutions. The author stresses the need to preserve the memories of the filmmakers and their works as a basis for the future.
by Apolena Rychlíková
first published in Kapitál under the title Nemůžu víc než proti svévoli moci bojovat vzpomínkami
Mal is a researcher at the Department of Sociology, Tallinn University. Her work examines how the migration experiences of migrant women influence their participation in feminist activism and the impact on society
by Viktorija Savitseva
first published by NARVAMUS
Formerly a forced labour camp, later an abandoned ruin, then occupied by a group of punks who needed a shelter in the 1990s - today Exil e.V. is one of the last bulwarks against right-wing agitation in Eberswalde (Brandenburg). But time is working against the organisation.
by Mareike Hoeck
first published by JÁDU under the title Vom alten KZ-Außenlager zum Punk-Klub - „Wenn wir den Ort nicht nutzen, wer dann?“
There have been protests in Serbia for more than 100 days. The collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station, which tragically killed 15 people, sparked mass demonstrations across the country. The signatories of Students in Blockade shared their letter—written in December 2024—outlining the background of their protests.
by Student in a blockade
first published by revue Prostor under the title How long does it take for a wound to heal?
Third month of anti-government protests in Sakartvelo. The resistance is lasting longer than ever before, taking forms never seen in the past and has no single leader. At the same time, the protests are part of a process that has been going on for thirty years, a vicious circle of civil war, revolution, constantly disputed election results, disillusionment with loved leaders, the struggle against the oligarchy, and poorly met social needs. And Russia, which is exacerbating everything.
by Denis Vėjas and Sigita Vegytė
First published in NARA under the title Dar vienas protestas Sakartvele, dar vienas nusivylimas valdžia
Following a very close referendum and the re-election of pro-European President Maia Sandu, the Republic of Moldova is on a shaky course towards the EU. A new cycle path in Chișinău shows just how bumpy the road to Europe can be in everyday life.
by Christian-Zsolt Varga, Ramin Mazur
first published by Jádu under the title Stop and go: Chișinăus holpriger (Fahrrad)Weg nach Europa
Since the Georgian parliamentary elections in October 2024, which were overshadowed by accusations of manipulation, thousands of people have regularly taken to the streets, especially in the capital Tbilisi. In some cases, there has been massive police violence against demonstrators and journalists. Who are the protesters and what will help them not to give up? We talked to the activist Ana Sikhashvili, the journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili and the trans woman Sani Morizstein.
by Sitara Thalia Ambrosio
first published in JÁDU under the title Kampf um die Demokratie in Georgien: „Das ist die letzte Chance“
On 20 January, Donald Trump was sworn in and officially became the 47th President of the United States of America. Unlike in 2016, Trump won the election by a majority vote. He became the first US President to be convicted – for falsifying documents and bribing porn star Stormy Daniels to avoid damaging his 2016 election campaign. How?
by Audra Skuodaitė
first published in NARA under the title Kodėl amerikiečiai išrinko Trumpą – ir kaip jaučiasi tie, kurie už jį nebalsavo
The article reports on the ongoing student protests and blockades of faculties in Serbia. These actions were initiated by students in response to the tragic collapse of the shelter in Novi Sad and the long-standing dissatisfaction with the political situation under President Vucic.
by Vladimíra Dorčová Valtnerová
first published by Kapitál under the title Blokády fakúlt v Srbsku
The text describes the massive protests in Georgia after the parliamentary elections in October 2024, which the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party won. The text also includes the testimony of lawyer Gvantsy Danelia on the widespread fraud and violations of electoral rules.
by Salome Berdzenišvili
first published by Kapitál under the title Na ceste do Ruska: Zmanipulované voľby a zmarené sny
Lithuania's foreign minister, who finished his term in December 2024 – and, at least for now, his political career – became a surprise star on Twitter, relentlessly advocating for Ukraine's defense. We talked with a former DJ, an immigrant, “the least diplomatic person in Lithuania, ” who penned the minister's tweets for Lithuania's public diplomacy effort.
by Karolis Vyšniauskas
first published in NARA under the title Mark Adam Harold, the Ghostwriter Behind Gabrielius Landsbergis's Tweets
A group of students report on the protests in Georgia that erupted after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a halt to the country's accession negotiations to join the EU by 2028.
by Robo Mihály, Michal Vasiľ, Virág Emma Csuport
first published in Kapitál under the title Policajná brutalita, ale aj nevšedné prejavy solidarity. Zápisky z demonštrácií v Gruzínsku
