(Off & for the press) We need a ‘Democracy Commissioner’: defining for EU coalition-building

3 themes will help define the next political coalition, and its priorities:

• the Green Deal (possibly adjusted: long discussions coming up)
• Security & Defense (stronger, but how?)
• last but not least – Democracy (not just rule of law principles). This is the focus of the OpEd below.

The 3 potential priorities are related:

• all about protecting Europeans: an overall narrative?
• likely consensual between democratic parties of left and right, including member parties of EPP, PES, Greens, Renew. And also many governments (not quite all…)
• Based on Sunday’s election results, can help bridge differences on other points. For example, PES, Greens and Renew are unlikely to join a coalition without Green Deal and Democracy.

Plus, Europe needs a healthy and sovereign press:

• not just platforms and AI, boosting disinformation…
• Hence a media industrial policy. Bundling policies and resources
• the future Democracy Commissioner should be supported by ‘DG DEM’ (Commission directorate general for democracy and media). Unlike the current duo: Thierry Breton & Vera Jourova…

EN: Europe Needs a Democracy Commissioner

FR: L’Europe a besoin d’un Commissaire à la Démocratie

DE: Europa braucht ein Kommissar(in) für Demokratie

Two possible next steps for you?

Deeper? You wish to influence negotiations? More details available, notably from me, on ‘Why, What and How’. The three versions above, via © Project Syndicate, aim for the national press. They are quite high level & ‘grand public’.

Acting? We, at Europe MédiaLab, also act for democracy. In addition to initiating @Stars4media programmes, we launch the Maison du MédiaLab, to help triple the number of Eastern European correspondents. This is in line with your values? Please tell your friends about these openings: a) Programmes & Fundraising Director b) Programme coordinator trainee