Manuel Müller
@manuelmueller.foederalist.eu
Senior Research Fellow @fiia.fi | Blogger @foederalist.eu | EU integration & supranational democracy | Views my own, of course
I'm generally not a fan of the protectionist/autarkist rhetoric around many "Buy European" initiatives.
But there are some cases where it just makes a lot of sense to reduce dependencies - in particular when there are free open-source alternatives easily available.
But there are some cases where it just makes a lot of sense to reduce dependencies - in particular when there are free open-source alternatives easily available.
A cross-party group of lawmakers will urge the European Parliament to ditch internal use of Microsoft’s ubiquitous software in favor of a European alternative, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO.
Get us off Microsoft! Lawmakers press EU Parliament to change in-house IT.
“We cannot afford this level of dependence on foreign tech,” lawmakers say in letter obtained by POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 AM
I'm generally not a fan of the protectionist/autarkist rhetoric around many "Buy European" initiatives.
But there are some cases where it just makes a lot of sense to reduce dependencies - in particular when there are free open-source alternatives easily available.
But there are some cases where it just makes a lot of sense to reduce dependencies - in particular when there are free open-source alternatives easily available.
Reposted by Manuel Müller
CJEU, free movement law/LGBT rights
New judgment: Member States (in this case Poland) are obliged to recognise same sex marriages of EU citizens who have exercised free movement rights curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
New judgment: Member States (in this case Poland) are obliged to recognise same sex marriages of EU citizens who have exercised free movement rights curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
CJEU, free movement law/LGBT rights
New judgment: Member States (in this case Poland) are obliged to recognise same sex marriages of EU citizens who have exercised free movement rights curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
New judgment: Member States (in this case Poland) are obliged to recognise same sex marriages of EU citizens who have exercised free movement rights curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo...
Reposted by Manuel Müller
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Reposted by Manuel Müller
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:59 PM
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
In May, @sophiepornschlegel.bsky.social, @nhelwig.bsky.social, Julian Plottka, and I discussed on @foederalist.eu whether the US was becoming more authoritarian, less influential, or both.
Well, it's both.
Well, it's both.
November 23, 2025 at 4:45 AM
In May, @sophiepornschlegel.bsky.social, @nhelwig.bsky.social, Julian Plottka, and I discussed on @foederalist.eu whether the US was becoming more authoritarian, less influential, or both.
Well, it's both.
Well, it's both.
So Elon Musk's AI engages in Holocaust denial now, and there are still democratic governments with active X accounts.
Calling on the Irish government and state agencies to immediately close their X accounts. Continued use of a fascist agitator's social media site is both incompatible with democratic values and immoral.
November 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
So Elon Musk's AI engages in Holocaust denial now, and there are still democratic governments with active X accounts.
#OTD 50 years ago, the last Spanish dictator Francisco #Franco died.
In a survey published by @elpais.com today, 15% think his regime was good or very good, against 50% (very) bad.
But among voters of Vox (PfE), Spain's third-largest party, it's 42% "(very) good" vs 17% "(very) bad".
In a survey published by @elpais.com today, 15% think his regime was good or very good, against 50% (very) bad.
But among voters of Vox (PfE), Spain's third-largest party, it's 42% "(very) good" vs 17% "(very) bad".
Una cuarta parte de los jóvenes ve preferible en determinadas circunstancias un régimen autoritario
Casi la mitad desconocen cómo murió Lorca. En el electorado de Vox hay más simpatizantes que detractores del franquismo
elpais.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:17 AM
#OTD 50 years ago, the last Spanish dictator Francisco #Franco died.
In a survey published by @elpais.com today, 15% think his regime was good or very good, against 50% (very) bad.
But among voters of Vox (PfE), Spain's third-largest party, it's 42% "(very) good" vs 17% "(very) bad".
In a survey published by @elpais.com today, 15% think his regime was good or very good, against 50% (very) bad.
But among voters of Vox (PfE), Spain's third-largest party, it's 42% "(very) good" vs 17% "(very) bad".
Time to call it a year, I guess.
Helsinki zoo's bears turn in for the season
The bears began spending most of their time in their winter dens at the beginning of the month.
yle.fi
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Time to call it a year, I guess.
Reposted by Manuel Müller
Völlig unklar.
Hahahahahaha…warum wohl, liebe FAZ? Ich kann mir das auch so gar nicht erklären…
November 17, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Völlig unklar.
Reposted by Manuel Müller
Imagine coming to a country after fleeing war, miserable and impoverished, possibly traumatised. All you have is some family jewellery, maybe your dead mother's necklace. And then they take it away. Cruelty beyond belief. What is the UK doing?!?!
Imagine having a thumping majority in parliament and deciding to use it for something as squalid as this.
November 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Imagine coming to a country after fleeing war, miserable and impoverished, possibly traumatised. All you have is some family jewellery, maybe your dead mother's necklace. And then they take it away. Cruelty beyond belief. What is the UK doing?!?!
Some personal news: Due to austerity measures, @fiia.fi is scaling back its research on EU institutions, and my contract will expire at the end of the year.
It has been an amazing time with many great experiences – a huge thank you to all my wonderful colleagues and friends!
⬇️
It has been an amazing time with many great experiences – a huge thank you to all my wonderful colleagues and friends!
⬇️
November 17, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Some personal news: Due to austerity measures, @fiia.fi is scaling back its research on EU institutions, and my contract will expire at the end of the year.
It has been an amazing time with many great experiences – a huge thank you to all my wonderful colleagues and friends!
⬇️
It has been an amazing time with many great experiences – a huge thank you to all my wonderful colleagues and friends!
⬇️
Warum um alles in der Welt sagt man als deutscher Kanzler so etwas?
Warum dieses völlig anlasslose Schlechtreden eines großen demokratischen Schwellenlands, um das man sich doch eher als Verbündeten bemühen sollte? Und das noch in einer Kontext, in dem es um "Debattenkultur" geht?
Warum dieses völlig anlasslose Schlechtreden eines großen demokratischen Schwellenlands, um das man sich doch eher als Verbündeten bemühen sollte? Und das noch in einer Kontext, in dem es um "Debattenkultur" geht?
![Screenshot eines Ausschnitts aus einer Rede von Friedrich Merz:
[...]Wir müssen aber auch dafür sorgen, dass die Debattenkultur in unserem Land nicht völlig entgleist. Ja, diese Bundesregierung verdient Kritik, keine Frage, und ich bin derjenige, der sie hinter verschlossenen Türen mit am deutlichsten und klarsten äußert. Aber wir wollen bitte auch im Umgang miteinander gemeinsam Maß und Mitte halten.
Meine Damen und Herren, wir leben in einem der schönsten Länder der Welt. Ich habe einige Journalisten, die mit mir in Brasilien waren, letzte Woche gefragt: Wer von euch würde denn gerne hierbleiben? Da hat keiner die Hand gehoben. Die waren alle froh, dass wir vor allem Dingen von diesem Ort, an dem wir da waren, in der Nacht von Freitag auf Samstag wieder nach Deutschland zurückgekehrt sind.
Wir leben in einem der freiheitlichsten Länder der Welt, und es lohnt sich, unser Land, unsere Demokratie, unsere Wirtschaftsordnung auch zu verteidigen. [...]
Quelle: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/rede-kanzler-handelskongress-2393818](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:smhmn66uti7pyavup3smk7w3/bafkreid4kkyxowcht62h2om4ikx67ww5u4vojovyfimdaft2tulgijowkq@jpeg)
November 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Warum um alles in der Welt sagt man als deutscher Kanzler so etwas?
Warum dieses völlig anlasslose Schlechtreden eines großen demokratischen Schwellenlands, um das man sich doch eher als Verbündeten bemühen sollte? Und das noch in einer Kontext, in dem es um "Debattenkultur" geht?
Warum dieses völlig anlasslose Schlechtreden eines großen demokratischen Schwellenlands, um das man sich doch eher als Verbündeten bemühen sollte? Und das noch in einer Kontext, in dem es um "Debattenkultur" geht?
This might be a good moment for Europeans to quickly start thinking about how much we care about international law banning offensive warfare when
it doesn't happen in our immediate neighbourhood, and the affected country is not a democracy.
it doesn't happen in our immediate neighbourhood, and the affected country is not a democracy.
Reading headlines about the US massing forces to Venezuela and ”what is Trump’s aim with the troops ?” reminds me of a certain other country that massed troops at a neighbour’s border 4 years ago and headlines were wondering what Putin’s aim could possibly be
November 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
This might be a good moment for Europeans to quickly start thinking about how much we care about international law banning offensive warfare when
it doesn't happen in our immediate neighbourhood, and the affected country is not a democracy.
it doesn't happen in our immediate neighbourhood, and the affected country is not a democracy.
Well done, Sister Suffragette!
November 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Well done, Sister Suffragette!
I agree.
In fact, the EPP line in the EP2024 campaign was that it would only cooperate with parties that were "pro-EU, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law".
EPP campaigners at that time clearly implied that the important line was between ECR and ID (~today's PfE), not between PfE and further beyond.
In fact, the EPP line in the EP2024 campaign was that it would only cooperate with parties that were "pro-EU, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law".
EPP campaigners at that time clearly implied that the important line was between ECR and ID (~today's PfE), not between PfE and further beyond.
To me, this is not a convincing argument, though. For one, this would mean for him cooperation with the Patriots for Europe are okay (which includes quite a few strongly far right parties).
November 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
I agree.
In fact, the EPP line in the EP2024 campaign was that it would only cooperate with parties that were "pro-EU, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law".
EPP campaigners at that time clearly implied that the important line was between ECR and ID (~today's PfE), not between PfE and further beyond.
In fact, the EPP line in the EP2024 campaign was that it would only cooperate with parties that were "pro-EU, pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law".
EPP campaigners at that time clearly implied that the important line was between ECR and ID (~today's PfE), not between PfE and further beyond.
I have serious doubts whether a national coalition agreement is the right way to try to influence the voting behaviour of MEPs.
But if a party signs something like this, it should actually mean something.
But if a party signs something like this, it should actually mean something.
Watch Manfred Weber and other CDU/CSU MEPs flush the German coalition agreement down the toilet tomorrow - with no reaction from the SPD at national level.
All of this just to free some companies from reporting human rights abuses.
All of this just to free some companies from reporting human rights abuses.
November 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I have serious doubts whether a national coalition agreement is the right way to try to influence the voting behaviour of MEPs.
But if a party signs something like this, it should actually mean something.
But if a party signs something like this, it should actually mean something.
"Modern humans cannot make [most] quality judgments [] using only our own direct experience. Instead, we mostly trust what others tell us. The difference [] is whether we trust the right people at the right times. And this is where social identity comes in."
Important read about #misinformation 👇
Important read about #misinformation 👇
Misinformation *is* central to democratic problems today, but the solution is *not* to correct such epistemic failures directly. Instead, we must address them at their roots, in social identity.
Or so I argue in a new post for @apaphilosophy.bsky.social.
blog.apaonline.org/2025/11/12/t...
Or so I argue in a new post for @apaphilosophy.bsky.social.
blog.apaonline.org/2025/11/12/t...
The Problem is Epistemic. The Solution is Not. | Blog of the APA
Doubts about the wisdom of the masses are as old as philosophy itself. Yet interest in democracy’s “epistemic” merits has surged in the last decade—and it is no mystery why. Democracy is collapsing ar...
blog.apaonline.org
November 14, 2025 at 4:04 AM
"Modern humans cannot make [most] quality judgments [] using only our own direct experience. Instead, we mostly trust what others tell us. The difference [] is whether we trust the right people at the right times. And this is where social identity comes in."
Important read about #misinformation 👇
Important read about #misinformation 👇
Quite a picture.
It doesn't happen often (or at least it hasn't happened often so far) that you see the European Parliament so clearly divided along left-right lines, and certainly not on a legislative matter.
It doesn't happen often (or at least it hasn't happened often so far) that you see the European Parliament so clearly divided along left-right lines, and certainly not on a legislative matter.
This is what it looks like when the firewall is torn down for good. EPP, under the leadership of Manfred Weber, using the entire extreme and far right (including German AFD, French RN) for trashing sustainability and due diligence requirements for big business. The masks are off for good.
November 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Quite a picture.
It doesn't happen often (or at least it hasn't happened often so far) that you see the European Parliament so clearly divided along left-right lines, and certainly not on a legislative matter.
It doesn't happen often (or at least it hasn't happened often so far) that you see the European Parliament so clearly divided along left-right lines, and certainly not on a legislative matter.
Reposted by Manuel Müller
Almost certain now EPP will rely on far-right groups, including Germany’s AfD, to push through amendments on #csddd #csrd, despite Manfred Weber’s promise never to collaborate with them. Will anybody in Berlin notice?
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
Will centrist EPP join forces with ‘rightwing extremists’?
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
euobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The new #EPseatprojection is out!
The European Liberals scored a victory in the Dutch parliamentary elections in October. But this isn't a democratic turnaround yet: In the new #EPseatprojection, the democratic camp is stalling, while the far right is becoming even more radicalised.
By MANUEL MÜLLER
By MANUEL MÜLLER
European Parliament seat projection (November 2025): Liberal recovery, far-right radicalisation
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
November 13, 2025 at 7:40 AM
The new #EPseatprojection is out!
Die neue #EPsitzprojektion ist da!
Bei der niederländischen Parlamentswahl im Oktober konnten die europäischen Liberalen einen Erfolg verbuchen. Doch eine demokratische Trendwende ist das noch nicht, wie die neue #Europawahlprojektion zeigt. Im Rechtsaußenlager kommt es zu einer weiteren Radikalisierung.
Von MANUEL MÜLLER
Von MANUEL MÜLLER
Wenn an diesem Sonntag Europawahl wäre (November 2025): Liberale Erholung, rechte Radikalisierung
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Die neue #EPsitzprojektion ist da!
"When #omnibus legislation is employed to systematically avoid impact assessments, bypass consultation periods, and skip the evidentiary requirements increasingly required to satisfy the principle of proportionality, it ceases to be a neutral procedural tool."
Good read from @alemanno.bsky.social 👇
Good read from @alemanno.bsky.social 👇
The EU is turning increasingly to omnibus legislation — a tool promising speed and simplicity.
But at what constitutional cost?
ALBERTO ALEMANNO (@alemanno.bsky.social) warns that this tool risks eroding transparency, evidence, and participation in lawmaking.
verfassungsblog.de/omnibus-legi...
But at what constitutional cost?
ALBERTO ALEMANNO (@alemanno.bsky.social) warns that this tool risks eroding transparency, evidence, and participation in lawmaking.
verfassungsblog.de/omnibus-legi...
November 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"When #omnibus legislation is employed to systematically avoid impact assessments, bypass consultation periods, and skip the evidentiary requirements increasingly required to satisfy the principle of proportionality, it ceases to be a neutral procedural tool."
Good read from @alemanno.bsky.social 👇
Good read from @alemanno.bsky.social 👇
Nun ja, der Algorithmus hat offenbar verstanden, mit welchem Argument es die Bundeswehr bei User:innen wie mir am besten versuchen sollte. 😉
November 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Nun ja, der Algorithmus hat offenbar verstanden, mit welchem Argument es die Bundeswehr bei User:innen wie mir am besten versuchen sollte. 😉
The Polish president belonging, of course, to ECR, the "moderate" one among the European far-right parties.
This is the march the Polish president chose to grace with his presence today.
November 11, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Polish president belonging, of course, to ECR, the "moderate" one among the European far-right parties.
Lustige 🇪🇺 Öffentlichkeit: Der #EuGH hat in der #Mindestlohn -Entscheidung heute Teile der Richtlinie gekippt, andere bestätigt.
🇩🇪 dpa meldete daraufhin: "EuGH kippt zentrale Vorgaben der EU-Mindestlohnrichtlinie"
🇦🇹 APA dagegen: "EuGH bestätigt EU-Zuständigkeit bei Mindestlöhnen"
Und die Medien?
⬇️
🇩🇪 dpa meldete daraufhin: "EuGH kippt zentrale Vorgaben der EU-Mindestlohnrichtlinie"
🇦🇹 APA dagegen: "EuGH bestätigt EU-Zuständigkeit bei Mindestlöhnen"
Und die Medien?
⬇️
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Lustige 🇪🇺 Öffentlichkeit: Der #EuGH hat in der #Mindestlohn -Entscheidung heute Teile der Richtlinie gekippt, andere bestätigt.
🇩🇪 dpa meldete daraufhin: "EuGH kippt zentrale Vorgaben der EU-Mindestlohnrichtlinie"
🇦🇹 APA dagegen: "EuGH bestätigt EU-Zuständigkeit bei Mindestlöhnen"
Und die Medien?
⬇️
🇩🇪 dpa meldete daraufhin: "EuGH kippt zentrale Vorgaben der EU-Mindestlohnrichtlinie"
🇦🇹 APA dagegen: "EuGH bestätigt EU-Zuständigkeit bei Mindestlöhnen"
Und die Medien?
⬇️