The EU just passed a historic EU declaration protecting artistic freedom that I helped negotiate. Censorship and budget cuts, culture is under attack. This shield protects artists from political interference. A big thx to @glennmicallefeu.bsky.social for his tireless work to get this done!

The first step in the handbook of #facism is ALWAYS to attack culture and its freedom of expression. We see this unfolding all across Europe. If we want to learn something from Slovakia, from the US and from Hungary, it’s that we need to get behind a European cultural freedom act now.

This week I visited @unileiden.bsky.social. What I learned is: competitiveness isn't built in Brussels but in ecosystems like this. As the US pulls back on science funding, Europe must step up as the global champion of research freedom and open science. Let’s give our innovators what they need. 🇪🇺🔬

At a time when national governments are defunding or misusing culture, I’m proud to stand with a progressive European alliance to counter this trend. Together with voices from the sector, we’re growing a strong counter-movement in the European Union. A thread 🧵

When governments pit culture against defense, pay attention. Under the guise of protection, they are dismantling our freedom. As the Chair of Culture in the @europarl.europa.eu , I am fighting for a unified European approach to protect our culture and democracy.