Europe
The Europe Region (FNF Europe) of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is a pan-European region with offices in Belgrade, Brussels, Bucharest, Geneva, Istanbul, Kyiv, Prague, Sofia, Tbilisi, Vilnius, and Yerevan.
We connect experts, civil society actors, and decision-makers to foster open dialogue across Europe and develop liberal responses to key European challenges. Together with our partners, we create formats and campaigns on fundamental rights, the rule of law, geopolitics, and geoeconomics, while also coordinating EU co-funded projects in the areas of the single market, digitalisation, and innovation.
News
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Bulgaria’s Election: Results Clear, Conclusions Pending
A decisive election result ends Bulgaria’s political stalemate of 8 elections in 5 years, but leaves open key questions on governance, reforms, and its role in Europe.
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The Stakes in Hungary: The 2026 Parliamentary Election
Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary elections mark a historic turning point. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party have been decisively voted out of office. The following reflections, written in the days surrounding the election, capture the atmosphere on the ground in Budapest and the political dynamics behind an outcome few would have expected at this scale.
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Hungary's Election Campaign
Opposition candidate Peter Magyar is clearly ahead in all opinion polls. But Prime Minister Orbán still has a few cards up his sleeve: the complex electoral system, and the sympathies of the White House and the Kremlin.
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Cool Patriotism and the Renaissance in Eastern Europe
Why is Eastern Europe leading the fight for democracy? A look at resilience, “cool patriotism,” and the challenges shaping Europe’s future. A deep reflection by Matin Kothé, former Regional Director.
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TikTok-ization of Everything. Apply for FNF Video Bootcamp
Apply by 20 April for FNF’s Video Bootcamp “The TikTok-ization of Everything” (8–12.07, Istanbul). Learn to create short-form content, build on-camera skills, and master smartphone video production.
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Munich Security Conference: 3 Takeaways for Europe’s Future
There was consensus among Europeans in Munich: the international order has changed. Major powers threaten to monopolize power. How must Europe reshape its foreign and defense policy?
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The Dutch Liberal Gamble: D66 and VVD Revitalize Dutch Politics and European Cooperation
A bold minority government puts Dutch liberalism to the test. Can D66 and VVD deliver stability, security, European cooperation without a majority? Read how this could reshape Dutch and EU politics.
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Think Freedom Screenings in Bulgaria
Think Freedom screenings in Bulgaria show how films spark real dialogue in small towns, bringing debates on freedom, democracy, and civic engagement beyond the digital space.
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Geopolitics, Security, Economy
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War in Ukraine - Oleh Baturin on the Russian Terror
Beaten, interrogated and cut off from the outside world, Oleh Baturin describes how Russian forces turned occupied Kherson into a landscape of fear and repression. Detained without explanation in March 2022, he endured violence, psychological pressure and relentless propaganda designed to break prisoners before any charges were even fabricated. His account offers a stark insight into the system of terror imposed on civilians under Russian occupation.
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Alexei Navalny – A Fearless Democrat
Alexei Navalny, anti-corruption activist and leading Putin critic, died two years ago in Russian prison. He embodied democratic resistance—combining patriotism, political ambition and defiance.
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One Europe - FNF Restructuring
FNF Europe Merges with FNF East and Southeast Europe. From 1 February, we become ONE European region with the Head Office in Brussels, growing together to shape the future of freedom across our continent. We are delighted to welcome our FNF colleagues from Ukraine, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin this new chapter under the leadership of Jules Maaten!
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Cyprus’s EU Presidency
Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Cyprus has taken on the EU Council Presidency with an ambitious agenda centred on security, strategic autonomy, enlargement, and Mediterranean partnerships, while carrying unresolved internal questions into its European leadership role.
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Imagine Portugal: The Rise of Optimistic Institutionalism
As Europe grapples with the rise of populist rhetoric, Iniciativa Liberal is rewriting the political playbook through ‘Optimistic Institutionalism’, distilled in the forward-looking motto “Imagine Portugal.” By moving beyond technocratic messaging, Portuguese liberals reframed their appeal around culture, knowledge, and growth. The impact was historic. In the first round of the presidential elections, liberal support surged from 5% to 16%, tripling its previous share and delivering the strongest result ever for liberals in Portugal.
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The Digital Euro
Europe’s digital euro is no longer a theoretical debate. As key political decisions approach, the project is becoming a test case for how the EU understands digital sovereignty, competition, and the role of markets in the digital age.
Social Media
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NB‼️ From 1 Feb, FNF Europe has restructured our social media presence 🛑 We will stop maintaining this current channel, now renamed fnfbrussels, while we keep it open. 🆕 You are cordially invited to follow our NEW channel of FNF Europe ➡️ @fnf.europe - the new bigger ONE European region after the merger of 2 regional offices. 🎥 Meet our Innovation Policy Lab Experts! 📊 Demography & Migration: Europe’s defining challenge Meet Helga Pattart-Drexler, Managing Director at NEOS Lab, she shares her views on how Europe can respond to ageing societies, labour shortages, and migration pressures with smart, humane, and future-proof policies. 🌟 Helga joined the European Liberal Forum – Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Innovation Policy Lab to explore how demographic shifts and migration trends will shape Europe’s next decade. 👀 Stay tuned for our upcoming publications! Co-financed by the European Parliament. #InnovationPolicyLab #Demography #MigrationPolicy #ELF #FriedrichNaumannFoundationForFreedom #FutureOfEurope #PolicyInnovation #Innovation
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NB‼️ From 1 Feb, FNF Europe has restructured our social media presence 🛑 We will stop maintaining this current channel, now renamed fnfbrussels, while we keep it open. 🆕 You are cordially invited to follow our NEW channel of FNF Europe ➡️ FNF East and Southeast Europe (in process of being renamed now) - the new bigger ONE European region after the merger of 2 regional offices. ✨🇪🇺 “We cannot afford to waste women’s talent.” Joanna Burnos (LEADERIS) envisions a Europe where women’s leadership drives economic strength, security, and innovation — supported by real investment, mentoring, quotas, and community change. We rise when women rise. . #Europe2050 #VisionLab #WomenInLeadership #Equality #FNF
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NB‼️ From 1 Feb, FNF Europe has restructured our social media presence 🛑 We will stop maintaining this current channel, now renamed FNF Brussels, while we keep it open. 🆕 You are cordially invited to follow our NEW channel of FNF Europe ➡️ FNF East and Southeast Europe *@fnf.esee (in process of renaming)- the new bigger ONE European region after the merger of 2 regional offices. 🎥 Meet our Innovation Policy Lab Experts! 📊 Demography & Migration: Europe’s defining challenge Meet Jan-Christoph Oetjen, MEP, Renew Europe and President of ELF, he shares his views on how Europe can respond to ageing societies, labour shortages, and migration pressures with smart, humane, and future-proof policies. 🌟 Jan-Christoph joined the European Liberal Forum – Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Innovation Policy Lab to explore how demographic shifts and migration trends will shape Europe’s next decade. 👀 Stay tuned for our upcoming publications! Co-financed by the European Parliament. . #InnovationPolicyLab #Demography #MigrationPolicy #ELF #FriedrichNaumannFoundationForFreedom #FutureOfEurope #PolicyInnovation #Innovation
