Albert Guasch Rafael
@albertguaschr.bsky.social
Comms & journalism on European affairs. Now Communications Coordinator at @democracyreporting.bsky.social
✍️ Bylines at @ForeignPolicy, @Euronews, @AreWeEurope, @LaVanguardia.
Ramblings on Spanish politics: https://guerrillapolitics.substack.com
✍️ Bylines at @ForeignPolicy, @Euronews, @AreWeEurope, @LaVanguardia.
Ramblings on Spanish politics: https://guerrillapolitics.substack.com
Headlines that write themselves
The cost of coffee is on the rise, thanks to tariffs. Congress has introduced a bill to scrap the tax—a move that could be popular as more Americans reach for a cup.
As Tariffs Send Coffee Prices Soaring, Some In Congress Are Brewing Up A Solution
The cost of coffee is on the rise, thanks to tariffs. Congress has introduced a bill to scrap the tax—a move that could be popular as more Americans reach for a cup.
www.forbes.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Headlines that write themselves
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
⚖️Our European #RuleofLaw Conference 2025 was a workshop for solutions! Participants discussed different ways democracy is under attack:
❌the quiet weaponisation of legislative tools to capture courts OR the increasing disconnect between govs & citizens OR the rising tide of disinformation! 👇
❌the quiet weaponisation of legislative tools to capture courts OR the increasing disconnect between govs & citizens OR the rising tide of disinformation! 👇
September 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
⚖️Our European #RuleofLaw Conference 2025 was a workshop for solutions! Participants discussed different ways democracy is under attack:
❌the quiet weaponisation of legislative tools to capture courts OR the increasing disconnect between govs & citizens OR the rising tide of disinformation! 👇
❌the quiet weaponisation of legislative tools to capture courts OR the increasing disconnect between govs & citizens OR the rising tide of disinformation! 👇
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
enshittification | noun | when a digital platform is made worse for users, in order to increase profits
September 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
enshittification | noun | when a digital platform is made worse for users, in order to increase profits
Feels like the only successful European export to the U.S. these days is Orbán’s autocratic model.
I'm preparing a workshop on autocratisation and I was struck to find that a Fidesz-backed think tank may have contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
I'm preparing a workshop on autocratisation and I was struck to find that a Fidesz-backed think tank may have contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement
As part of the new cooperation agreement between the two institutions, each year four researchers from the Heritage Foundation will visit Budapest and work with the Danube Institute as visiting resear...
www.hungarianconservative.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Feels like the only successful European export to the U.S. these days is Orbán’s autocratic model.
I'm preparing a workshop on autocratisation and I was struck to find that a Fidesz-backed think tank may have contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
I'm preparing a workshop on autocratisation and I was struck to find that a Fidesz-backed think tank may have contributed to the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.
Two reforms that would make a difference on corruption in #Spain:
1. Appointment of political advisors lack transparency and proper regulation. Make them more like civil servants (merit-based), and make their CVs public. (This way you may avoid a Koldo)
👇
1. Appointment of political advisors lack transparency and proper regulation. Make them more like civil servants (merit-based), and make their CVs public. (This way you may avoid a Koldo)
👇
August 4, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Two reforms that would make a difference on corruption in #Spain:
1. Appointment of political advisors lack transparency and proper regulation. Make them more like civil servants (merit-based), and make their CVs public. (This way you may avoid a Koldo)
👇
1. Appointment of political advisors lack transparency and proper regulation. Make them more like civil servants (merit-based), and make their CVs public. (This way you may avoid a Koldo)
👇
We are all talking about big corruption cases in Spain 🇪🇸 (important, no doubt), but behind all the noise, there's another relevant story: judicial reform.
It's not sitting well with judges, who are mobilising against it.
My colleague @ninotsereteli.bsky.social has the details 👇
It's not sitting well with judges, who are mobilising against it.
My colleague @ninotsereteli.bsky.social has the details 👇
Spanish judges have been making noise. The government's proposed judicial reform has sparked controversy—some view it as long overdue, while others perceive it as a threat to judicial independence. What's actually at stake? Who's right? Who's wrong? 🧵1/
July 3, 2025 at 2:31 PM
We are all talking about big corruption cases in Spain 🇪🇸 (important, no doubt), but behind all the noise, there's another relevant story: judicial reform.
It's not sitting well with judges, who are mobilising against it.
My colleague @ninotsereteli.bsky.social has the details 👇
It's not sitting well with judges, who are mobilising against it.
My colleague @ninotsereteli.bsky.social has the details 👇
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
Purpose, clarity and coffee ☕
That’s what fuelled our 2025 Annual Meeting!
For four days, 50+ democracy advocates, policy minds and comms pros gathered to discuss DRI.
We left with clearer plans, stronger bonds, and sharper strategies to boost our impact.
Catch the highlights 👉🏽 bit.ly/3HDgEEa
That’s what fuelled our 2025 Annual Meeting!
For four days, 50+ democracy advocates, policy minds and comms pros gathered to discuss DRI.
We left with clearer plans, stronger bonds, and sharper strategies to boost our impact.
Catch the highlights 👉🏽 bit.ly/3HDgEEa
June 16, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Purpose, clarity and coffee ☕
That’s what fuelled our 2025 Annual Meeting!
For four days, 50+ democracy advocates, policy minds and comms pros gathered to discuss DRI.
We left with clearer plans, stronger bonds, and sharper strategies to boost our impact.
Catch the highlights 👉🏽 bit.ly/3HDgEEa
That’s what fuelled our 2025 Annual Meeting!
For four days, 50+ democracy advocates, policy minds and comms pros gathered to discuss DRI.
We left with clearer plans, stronger bonds, and sharper strategies to boost our impact.
Catch the highlights 👉🏽 bit.ly/3HDgEEa
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
💭Think your chatbot has the answers? Think again.
As Sri Lanka returned to the polls for its first local elections after nearly 7 years, a new generation of voters is turning to AI-powered chatbots for answers.
What happens when these tools mislead more than they inform? ⬇️
As Sri Lanka returned to the polls for its first local elections after nearly 7 years, a new generation of voters is turning to AI-powered chatbots for answers.
What happens when these tools mislead more than they inform? ⬇️
May 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
💭Think your chatbot has the answers? Think again.
As Sri Lanka returned to the polls for its first local elections after nearly 7 years, a new generation of voters is turning to AI-powered chatbots for answers.
What happens when these tools mislead more than they inform? ⬇️
As Sri Lanka returned to the polls for its first local elections after nearly 7 years, a new generation of voters is turning to AI-powered chatbots for answers.
What happens when these tools mislead more than they inform? ⬇️
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
The proposed law is so contrary to EU law and values that it is practically the beginning of Huxit, say Hungarian political scientists
May 14, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The proposed law is so contrary to EU law and values that it is practically the beginning of Huxit, say Hungarian political scientists
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
#Poland ’s #EU Presidency: A breath of fresh air🌬️or a missed opportunity?
⚖️Judicial reforms & rights protection are on the table. But tackling democratic backsliding? Silence.
📺Watch the #RuleofLawWatch ep. 2. Our @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social explores promises & limits of Poland’s EU leadership:
⚖️Judicial reforms & rights protection are on the table. But tackling democratic backsliding? Silence.
📺Watch the #RuleofLawWatch ep. 2. Our @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social explores promises & limits of Poland’s EU leadership:
May 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#Poland ’s #EU Presidency: A breath of fresh air🌬️or a missed opportunity?
⚖️Judicial reforms & rights protection are on the table. But tackling democratic backsliding? Silence.
📺Watch the #RuleofLawWatch ep. 2. Our @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social explores promises & limits of Poland’s EU leadership:
⚖️Judicial reforms & rights protection are on the table. But tackling democratic backsliding? Silence.
📺Watch the #RuleofLawWatch ep. 2. Our @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social explores promises & limits of Poland’s EU leadership:
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
"I'm going to govern in econometrics" is a winning campaign slogan for the ages.
April 29, 2025 at 2:59 AM
"I'm going to govern in econometrics" is a winning campaign slogan for the ages.
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
This is a very good example of excellent journalism. Work to get information, work to verify it, tell a story with the verified information.
While investigating Nike’s claims about sustainability, I started collecting paystubs from its suppliers. It’s been almost 27 years since Phil Knight acknowledged that Nike products had become synonymous with “slave wages.” I wanted to know what people in Asia earned producing Nike apparel. (thread)
April 25, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This is a very good example of excellent journalism. Work to get information, work to verify it, tell a story with the verified information.
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
⚠️Democracy in #Romania is going through a turbulent period!
The Constitutional Court👩⚖️annulled the first round of the election last year, now they’ve barred #far-right candidate #CalinGeorgescu.
Fair play or power play?⁉️
📺Watch @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social breaking down these exceptional rulings🔽
The Constitutional Court👩⚖️annulled the first round of the election last year, now they’ve barred #far-right candidate #CalinGeorgescu.
Fair play or power play?⁉️
📺Watch @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social breaking down these exceptional rulings🔽
April 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
⚠️Democracy in #Romania is going through a turbulent period!
The Constitutional Court👩⚖️annulled the first round of the election last year, now they’ve barred #far-right candidate #CalinGeorgescu.
Fair play or power play?⁉️
📺Watch @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social breaking down these exceptional rulings🔽
The Constitutional Court👩⚖️annulled the first round of the election last year, now they’ve barred #far-right candidate #CalinGeorgescu.
Fair play or power play?⁉️
📺Watch @jakubjaraczewski.bsky.social breaking down these exceptional rulings🔽
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
No, the meeting did not go badly for Ukraine. It exposed in the most undeniable, unequivocal way possible the pro-Putin commitments of the president and vice president. That was information Americans and allies needed to have clear before them.
February 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
No, the meeting did not go badly for Ukraine. It exposed in the most undeniable, unequivocal way possible the pro-Putin commitments of the president and vice president. That was information Americans and allies needed to have clear before them.
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
🔑Amidst a surge of #IlliberalTrends, #DemocraticBacksliding, and rapid #GeopoliticalDevelopments, what can be done to safeguard the #RuleOfLaw in Europe?
We explored this question over the past two days during the Rule of Law Community Meeting—together with Civil Society from all over Europe.
We explored this question over the past two days during the Rule of Law Community Meeting—together with Civil Society from all over Europe.
February 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM
🔑Amidst a surge of #IlliberalTrends, #DemocraticBacksliding, and rapid #GeopoliticalDevelopments, what can be done to safeguard the #RuleOfLaw in Europe?
We explored this question over the past two days during the Rule of Law Community Meeting—together with Civil Society from all over Europe.
We explored this question over the past two days during the Rule of Law Community Meeting—together with Civil Society from all over Europe.
Truth hurts.
February 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Truth hurts.
February 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
En España es donde más decae el interés por las noticias. Para mí tiene que ver:
- Políticos con declaraciones insustanciales o muy agresivas, que los medios solo replican.
- Noticiarios 'editorializados'
- Medios adaptados a la polarización (+bronca, - sustancia)
via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
- Políticos con declaraciones insustanciales o muy agresivas, que los medios solo replican.
- Noticiarios 'editorializados'
- Medios adaptados a la polarización (+bronca, - sustancia)
via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
February 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
En España es donde más decae el interés por las noticias. Para mí tiene que ver:
- Políticos con declaraciones insustanciales o muy agresivas, que los medios solo replican.
- Noticiarios 'editorializados'
- Medios adaptados a la polarización (+bronca, - sustancia)
via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
- Políticos con declaraciones insustanciales o muy agresivas, que los medios solo replican.
- Noticiarios 'editorializados'
- Medios adaptados a la polarización (+bronca, - sustancia)
via @reutersinstitute.bsky.social
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
An important ruling not only for the specifics of this case - but also more generally, as it shows the possibility of *private* enforcement of the Digital Services Act. So no need to wait for the EU Commission to challenge X, which it seems unwilling to do so far.
We took X to court. And we won! ⚖️
The courts ruled that X must urgently grant us access to their publicly available data via their API. This access is critical for our analysis of online public discourse ahead of the upcoming German elections.
Read: bit.ly/4gBWGp4
Here's what's happened 1/3 👇
The courts ruled that X must urgently grant us access to their publicly available data via their API. This access is critical for our analysis of online public discourse ahead of the upcoming German elections.
Read: bit.ly/4gBWGp4
Here's what's happened 1/3 👇
February 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
An important ruling not only for the specifics of this case - but also more generally, as it shows the possibility of *private* enforcement of the Digital Services Act. So no need to wait for the EU Commission to challenge X, which it seems unwilling to do so far.
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
Doing a report on AfD campaigning on Facebook and it really is striking the sheer level of AI images and videos. Smiling white (often blonde) Germans contrasted against glowering dark skinned men. Shameless stuff, but perhaps I shouldn't be surprised
February 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Doing a report on AfD campaigning on Facebook and it really is striking the sheer level of AI images and videos. Smiling white (often blonde) Germans contrasted against glowering dark skinned men. Shameless stuff, but perhaps I shouldn't be surprised
A court ordered X to provide @democracyreporting.bsky.social with access to its data to analyse online public discourse during the German elections.
My colleagues are conducting important research on online toxicity (hate speech, disinformation) and systemic risks in the election.
Will X comply?
My colleagues are conducting important research on online toxicity (hate speech, disinformation) and systemic risks in the election.
Will X comply?
We took X to court. And we won! ⚖️
The courts ruled that X must urgently grant us access to their publicly available data via their API. This access is critical for our analysis of online public discourse ahead of the upcoming German elections.
Read: bit.ly/4gBWGp4
Here's what's happened 1/3 👇
The courts ruled that X must urgently grant us access to their publicly available data via their API. This access is critical for our analysis of online public discourse ahead of the upcoming German elections.
Read: bit.ly/4gBWGp4
Here's what's happened 1/3 👇
February 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
A court ordered X to provide @democracyreporting.bsky.social with access to its data to analyse online public discourse during the German elections.
My colleagues are conducting important research on online toxicity (hate speech, disinformation) and systemic risks in the election.
Will X comply?
My colleagues are conducting important research on online toxicity (hate speech, disinformation) and systemic risks in the election.
Will X comply?
Reposted by Albert Guasch Rafael
#Germany at a crossroad - what’s at stake?
With the Bundestag elections 🗳️ approaching the future of Germany’s #democracy is on the line. Will constitutional safeguards hold strong, or are we seeing the start of a deeper shift in the #ruleoflaw?
Join the panel discussion! 🔽
With the Bundestag elections 🗳️ approaching the future of Germany’s #democracy is on the line. Will constitutional safeguards hold strong, or are we seeing the start of a deeper shift in the #ruleoflaw?
Join the panel discussion! 🔽
February 5, 2025 at 8:59 AM
#Germany at a crossroad - what’s at stake?
With the Bundestag elections 🗳️ approaching the future of Germany’s #democracy is on the line. Will constitutional safeguards hold strong, or are we seeing the start of a deeper shift in the #ruleoflaw?
Join the panel discussion! 🔽
With the Bundestag elections 🗳️ approaching the future of Germany’s #democracy is on the line. Will constitutional safeguards hold strong, or are we seeing the start of a deeper shift in the #ruleoflaw?
Join the panel discussion! 🔽