Former EU commissioner Thierry Breton explains that the EU could annul the upcoming elections in Germany in case of suspicion of foreign influence.
– We did it in Romania and, if necessary, we will have to do it in Germany as well, he said.
The statement was made in an interview on the French news program Apolline Matin, focusing on Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) and its potential role in the German elections.
Breton, former Commissioner for the Internal Market from 2019 to 2024, referred to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), a law established in 2022 and whose purpose is nominally stated as protecting democracy by regulating digital platforms, fighting disinformation and preventing foreign influence on elections. He stressed that it was his staff who wrote the law, and that the EU is now “equipped” to apply it if necessary.
The law was recently used as a basis to investigate TikTok in the context of Romania’s presidential election, which was annulled following allegations of foreign interference. In recent days, large-scale demonstrations have broken out in Bucharest, with thousands of people protesting against the EU’s actions.
Germany’s elections, to be held next month, have already sparked discussions about the AfD’s success and Elon Musk’s open support for the party via X.
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The Swedish government wants to have more power to act quickly in serious crises during peacetime – without having to wait for approval from parliament.
The proposal has been met with strong criticism from several sides, with people warning that it paves the way for abuse of power and risks undermining democratic principles.
A new bill proposes constitutional amendments that would allow decisions on temporary measures in situations such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.
The proposed changes to the constitution are said to be aimed at enabling the government to act more quickly in crises, even in peacetime.
By delegating special powers from the Riksdag, the government will be able to issue temporary regulations that are valid for up to three months. However, these may not change or repeal the constitution.
– The government needs the right tools to govern the country, Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) states.
Spread of infection and cyber attacks
In particularly urgent cases, the government will be able to take a so-called activation decision – a form of state of emergency – to take immediate action without the prior approval of the Riksdag. This is said to be relevant in events such as:
• Nuclear accidents
• Natural disasters
• Extensive spread of infectious diseases
• Terrorist attacks
• Major financial crises
• Extensive IT disruptions or cyberattacks
The government itself claims that the reform is necessary to protect society and safeguard democratic governance in emergency situations where crucial decisions must be made very quickly.
“Ensures separation of powers”
However, several organizations, including LO, the Swedish Union of Journalists, and the Stockholm District Court, have sharply criticized the proposal. The Swedish Union of Journalists warns that a future authoritarian government could use these powers to implement changes without the support of the Riksdag, which in practice risks undermining democracy.
To limit the risks, the government claims that it will only be able to use these powers if it is clear that the Riksdag’s decision cannot be delayed.
An activation decision must also be approved retrospectively by a three-quarters majority in the Riksdag. If regulations are not submitted to parliament within a week or approved within a month, they cease to apply immediately, it is stated.
– This ensures the separation of powers and reduces the scope for a government with more despotic ambitions to take liberties, argues Gunnar Strömmer.
– In practice, the Riksdag always has the final say, he assures us.
Concerns about abuse
The bill also contains proposals to allow the Riksdag to meet in locations other than Stockholm in the event of serious crises. In addition, digital meetings will be made possible to ensure that the Riksdag can function even under extreme conditions.
The legislative changes, which are proposed to come into force on January 1, 2027, are based on a report supported by seven of the eight parties in parliament.
Despite broad political support, the proposal has raised concerns among critics. On social media, many warn that the changes could reduce the influence of the people even more than today and lead to abuse of power, as well as being misused to introduce various totalitarian and repressive measures.
A majority of EU member state leaders, including France and Germany, are calling on the European Commission to take action against Hungary over Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s plans to ban future Pride parades in Budapest.
A total of 16 countries are behind the call, which was coordinated by the Netherlands and demands that the Commission “expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox” to get Hungary to back down from the proposed ban, Politico reports.
Signatories include Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, and the three Baltic states, as well as major EU players such as Germany and France.
“We are highly alarmed by these developments”, the statement said, pointing to Hungarian laws that risk fines for organizers and participants in various LGBTQ events.
According to those in power, the Hungarian laws “run contrary to the fundamental values to human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union”.
Blocked Ukraine aid causes anger
Exactly what measures the Commission should take is not yet clear, but several EU diplomats mention so-called interim measures as an alternative – legal injunctions that would in practice override Hungarian law and force Budapest to allow Pride celebrations.
The EU is already withholding €18 billion in funds to Hungary due to disputes over the rule of law, but Brussels has so far chosen not to proceed with more extensive coercive measures.
According to Politico, Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib opposed further measures during a meeting last week, citing a lack of support from the heavily criticized Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
At the same time, pressure on von der Leyen to take tougher action against Orbán’s government is said to be growing – not only because of the Pride ban, but also because of Hungary’s continued blocking of EU aid to Ukraine. Several diplomats say that EU leaders’ patience is now running out.
“Frustration toward Hungary has been building massively. If there’s an existential threat at our borders, how long are you going to put up with that?” commented one official.
Sweden wants to take “the next step”
Ahead of the EU General Affairs Council, Sweden’s EU Minister Jessica Rosencrantz also made it clear that she wants to force Hungary to change its policy:
– After seven years and seven hearings, we are at a crossroads. Unless we see a completely new Hungarian approach at tomorrow’s meeting, I see no point in continuing these hearings. It’s high time we get serious about next steps.
One of the most far-reaching options currently being discussed is to activate Article 7 of the EU Treaty – the so-called “nuclear option” – which could ultimately result in Hungary being stripped of its voting rights in the European Council. At least 19 member states are said to support this, three fewer than the qualified majority required to move forward with the process.
We see it time and again: when the ideas of globalism are challenged by the will of the people, voters' voices are met with surveillance, censorship, and threats of bans. In reality, you only have the freedom to choose as long as you choose "correctly".
This is an opinion piece. The author is responsible for the views expressed in the article.
After the German security service BfV decided to classify the party Alternative for Germany (AfD) as “right-wing extremist” – which allows the regime to infiltrate, mass-surveil, and sabotage the popular opposition party – the German left-wing bloc has moved forward with attempts to completely ban the party, which is Germany’s second-largest party in the Bundestag and, in recent polls, has been the country’s largest party.
As expected, this has passed without objection from the Swedish establishment, which is exactly the same trash as its German counterpart.
However, US Vice President JD Vance is not holding back on his criticism and is drawing attention to the move on X.
“The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it. The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt – not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment”.
The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.
The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt—not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment. https://t.co/Un6suHtSNJ
Throughout Europe, those in power are vigorously and, unfortunately, effectively opposing the growing parties that embrace nationalism instead of globalism, which runs counter to the established politically correct view that has been allowed to dominate for so long without any significant opposition.
Bans and increased repression against dissenting voices are now spreading – the hope lies with the peoples of the rest of Europe to take up the fight against the ruling elite and stand up for their values and true democracy.
The well-indoctrinated population of Sweden will certainly not be a contributing factor – on the contrary, we immediately side with the oppressors, ready to point the finger.
Jenny Piper
All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.
The decision by Germany’s domestic intelligence service to classify the Alternative for Germany party as “right-wing extremist” has led to strained relations between the US and Germany.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls the actions of those in power “tyranny in disguise” and points out that it is Germany’s boundless mass immigration policy that is “extremist” – not the nationalist party that the authorities now intend to spy on.
Recently, The Nordic Times drew attention to how the German constitutional protection agency decided to classify the entire AfD as a “right-wing extremist” organization – because of its immigration-critical rhetoric and nationalist ideology. In practice, this means that the state is given expanded powers to monitor the party, for example through wiretapping and the use of infiltrators.
Although the German establishment has a long tradition of combating or criminalizing political dissent, the latest announcement comes as a shock to many – not least because the AfD is now the second largest party in the country and the largest in some eastern German states.
One person who has reacted strongly to the fact that the party, despite its popularity, has now been labeled an enemy of the German state is US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who argues that it is rather the establishment parties that should be considered “extremists”.
“Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy – it’s tyranny in disguise. What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD – which took second in the recent election – but rather the establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes. Germany should reverse course”, he writes on X.
This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped.
Germany: “Right-wing extremism needs to be stopped”
Vice President JD Vance shares this view, pointing out that the Berlin Wall has been rebuilt—but this time not by a foreign occupying power, but by Germany’s own politicians.
“The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it. The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt – not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishmentt”.
The AfD is the most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.
The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt—not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment. https://t.co/Un6suHtSNJ
However, the German Foreign Ministry defends the AfD’s extremist label, arguing that “this is democracy”.
“This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our Constitution & the rule of law. It is independent courts that will have the final say. We have learnt from our history that rightwing extremism needs to be stopped”, they stated.
“European courts cancelling elections”
The Nordic Times has previously highlighted how JD Vance has already condemned the European establishment and accused it of undermining democracy and citizens’ freedom of expression.
– When we see European courts cancelling elections and senior officials threatening to cancel others, we ought to ask whether we’re holding ourselves to an appropriately high standard? asked the US Vice President during the security conference in Munich in February, continuing:
– If your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.
