Sophie in't Veld
@sophieintveld.bsky.social
Former Member of the European Parliament - Chair Advisory Council @cdteu.org - Keynote speaker at Speakers Academy - Blogging on Substack.com
Language matters @politico.eu. They are not US "demands", it is "blackmail". The @ec.europa.eu has no mandate to negotiate away EU legislation, nor the right to soften enforcement. The Commission has to protect European citizens, not US broligarchs.
The EU’s push for the U.S. to scrap its tariffs on steel and aluminum has opened the door to an old demand from Washington: Loosen your digital rulebook, and we’ll meet you halfway.
US demands digital concessions in return for EU steel tariff relief
Washington argues U.S. companies would invest more in the EU if it rolls back its digital rulebook.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Language matters @politico.eu. They are not US "demands", it is "blackmail". The @ec.europa.eu has no mandate to negotiate away EU legislation, nor the right to soften enforcement. The Commission has to protect European citizens, not US broligarchs.
This 👇 . Ukraine betrayed by the West for the second time. #BudapestMemorandum #Trump-PutinDirtyDeal #1994 #2025
As we speak, the Western world is currently discussing whether to impose a cap on the army of a country that has been invaded, while sparing the country that launched the invasion from any such limit.
November 24, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This 👇 . Ukraine betrayed by the West for the second time. #BudapestMemorandum #Trump-PutinDirtyDeal #1994 #2025
The self-proclaimed “realists” are defending the status quo, even if that made Europe a spectator while others decide its future. Realpolitik is: a federal Europe that speaks with a single, mighty voice. My blog: sophieintveld.substack.com/p/federalist...
Federalist Realpolitiker, nationalist dreamers
In 2026 it will be exactly 250 years since British colonies in America declared independence from Great Britain.
sophieintveld.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The self-proclaimed “realists” are defending the status quo, even if that made Europe a spectator while others decide its future. Realpolitik is: a federal Europe that speaks with a single, mighty voice. My blog: sophieintveld.substack.com/p/federalist...
Fmr President of Estonia @ilvestoomas.bsky.social explaining in his key note speech why, after having retired from politics, he decided to become active again and join @volteuropa.org: “I had the feeling that unless we do something, Europe just may fail”.
November 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Fmr President of Estonia @ilvestoomas.bsky.social explaining in his key note speech why, after having retired from politics, he decided to become active again and join @volteuropa.org: “I had the feeling that unless we do something, Europe just may fail”.
So Europe will foot the bill, Trump gets the proceeds, and Putin can invade again any time? It is high time Europe steps in and takes responsibility, instead of being submissive to the US. European political leaders cannot fail this test.
Point 14 shows just how much Trump considers himself to be the "President of Europe" right now (as he put it).
According to the 🇷🇺🇺🇸 "peace plan", 🇪🇺 would give the €210bn frozen Russian assets (plus €100 extra!) to the US, which would invest it in 🇺🇦 and receive the profits.
According to the 🇷🇺🇺🇸 "peace plan", 🇪🇺 would give the €210bn frozen Russian assets (plus €100 extra!) to the US, which would invest it in 🇺🇦 and receive the profits.
Trump administration's 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan presented to Zelenskyy
The plan, which is still a draft and could change, was presented in Kyiv earlier Thursday.
abcnews.go.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
So Europe will foot the bill, Trump gets the proceeds, and Putin can invade again any time? It is high time Europe steps in and takes responsibility, instead of being submissive to the US. European political leaders cannot fail this test.
Europe remains silent, complicit even, as Trump is going after the International Criminal Court. So what about the rule of law now? @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu?
An absolute scandal compounded in this case by failure of French government and EU institutions to forcefully react and sanction in turn those who have sanctioned ICC judges and prosecutors. Makes a total mockery of FR/EU's repeated commitment to the rule of law/ICC
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Europe remains silent, complicit even, as Trump is going after the International Criminal Court. So what about the rule of law now? @michaelmcgratheu.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu?
Wonder why the EU, with 455 million citizens, can be sidelined by Trump&Putin: blame those who for decades rejected a strong EU speaking with a single voice in geopolitical matters. Their “sovereignty” reduced Europe to being a spectator instead of an actor.
European officials are scrambling to weigh in on a peace deal that Washington wants Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign in the coming days.
The deal requires Ukraine to make significant concessions — but Kyiv is running short on cards.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
The deal requires Ukraine to make significant concessions — but Kyiv is running short on cards.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Kyiv under pressure as EU slams Trump plan
Presented by Amazon By NICHOLAS VINOCUR with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser GOOD FRID…
www.politico.eu
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Wonder why the EU, with 455 million citizens, can be sidelined by Trump&Putin: blame those who for decades rejected a strong EU speaking with a single voice in geopolitical matters. Their “sovereignty” reduced Europe to being a spectator instead of an actor.
Volstrekt juist! Daarom mag NL niet akkoord gaan met de schandalige “Digitale Omnibus” die de rode loper nog verder uitrolt voor Amerikaanse Techbros. De mooie beloftes dat die Omnibus de Europese tech sector gaat helpen zijn vals.
Big tech is volgens Nederlandse media “een ernstige bedreiging voor de democratische weerbaarheid, de strategische autonomie en daarmee de veiligheid van Nederland”.
Noodkreet Nederlandse media over ‘ernstige bedreiging’ door grote techbedrijven
Big tech: De Nederlandse nieuwsbedrijven doen een beroep op de informateur om de veiligheid van de informatievoorziening tot urgent thema te maken in de formatiebesprekingen. Niet eerder zijn alle gro...
www.nrc.nl
November 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Volstrekt juist! Daarom mag NL niet akkoord gaan met de schandalige “Digitale Omnibus” die de rode loper nog verder uitrolt voor Amerikaanse Techbros. De mooie beloftes dat die Omnibus de Europese tech sector gaat helpen zijn vals.
Reposted by Sophie in't Veld
We're told by 🇪🇺President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's @eppgroup.bsky.social & @reneweurope.bsky.social that the #AIact is an unacceptable burden on businesses.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
EU bends to US pressure again by changing AI Act
As Macron gave a speech in Berlin calling for European digital sovereignty, in Brussels von der Leyen yesterday proposed weakening the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act in response to US demands.
davekeating.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:59 AM
We're told by 🇪🇺President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu's @eppgroup.bsky.social & @reneweurope.bsky.social that the #AIact is an unacceptable burden on businesses.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
So then why did these same lawmakers design and vote for this law *just last year*? What changed since then? 🤔
We know what changed.
So if even the most ardent MAGA personalities now dare to say No to Trump, maybe Europe could show some backbone too?
November 18, 2025 at 10:47 PM
So if even the most ardent MAGA personalities now dare to say No to Trump, maybe Europe could show some backbone too?
Better proposal: an EU budget of 5% GDP. The Frugals jubilated about 5% for NATO, they should be equally determined to bolster the EU. The increase can be covered by the €500 billion gains from the completion of the Single Market (calculation of IMF).
They’re back.
Europe’s so-called frugal countries are once again joining forces to try to limit the size of the EU’s estimated €2 trillion long-term budget as negotiations heat up.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Europe’s so-called frugal countries are once again joining forces to try to limit the size of the EU’s estimated €2 trillion long-term budget as negotiations heat up.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
The Frugal Empire strikes back
Presented by Amazon By NICHOLAS VINOCUR with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser GREETINGS…
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Better proposal: an EU budget of 5% GDP. The Frugals jubilated about 5% for NATO, they should be equally determined to bolster the EU. The increase can be covered by the €500 billion gains from the completion of the Single Market (calculation of IMF).
How sloppy: 🇬🇷 secret service EYP cannot locate the 2020 documents ordering the surveillance of journalist @nasoskoukakis.bsky.social (also targeted with spyware). Just as sloppy as an "accidentally" destroyed CD ROM with evidence of contacts between a murdered journalist, the EYP chief & PM's nephew
🇬🇷Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) informed the country’s top court that it could not locate its own internal documents from 2020 ordering the surveillance of @nasoskoukakis.bsky.social.
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/new...
Greek Council of State Probes Missing Surveillance Files in Expanding Surveillance Scandal - Dnews
EYP informed the court that it could not locate the agency’s 2020 surveillance requests. A few months after Greece’s Council of State issued a landmark ruling in favor of PASOK leader Nikos Androulaki...
www.dnews.gr
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
How sloppy: 🇬🇷 secret service EYP cannot locate the 2020 documents ordering the surveillance of journalist @nasoskoukakis.bsky.social (also targeted with spyware). Just as sloppy as an "accidentally" destroyed CD ROM with evidence of contacts between a murdered journalist, the EYP chief & PM's nephew
New migration policy guaranteed (meant?) to fail: keeping people in limbo for twenty years is the absolutely best way to make sure they cannot integrate and become part of society. It will also fail to appease the insatiable far-right.
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
https://www.newsbeep.com/250732/
People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in a…
https://www.newsbeep.com/250732/
People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in a…
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays - News Beep
People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in a major change of policy to be announced by the home secretary on
www.newsbeep.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:36 AM
New migration policy guaranteed (meant?) to fail: keeping people in limbo for twenty years is the absolutely best way to make sure they cannot integrate and become part of society. It will also fail to appease the insatiable far-right.
Reposted by Sophie in't Veld
Grote bedrijven hebben een grote rol in de strijd voor klimaat en tegen kinderarbeid.
Wat doen de Europese conservatieven, (incl. CDA en BBB)? Diezelfde grote bedrijven een vrijbrief geven om te cashen over de rug van kinderen en klimaat.
Europa verdient beter.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Wat doen de Europese conservatieven, (incl. CDA en BBB)? Diezelfde grote bedrijven een vrijbrief geven om te cashen over de rug van kinderen en klimaat.
Europa verdient beter.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Europees Parlement stemt in met minder maatschappelijk verantwoord en duurzaam ondernemen
Donderdag bereikte het Europees Parlement na een lange politieke strijd een compromisakkoord over de ‘antiwegkijkwet’ CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) en de Europese rapportage...
www.nrc.nl
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Grote bedrijven hebben een grote rol in de strijd voor klimaat en tegen kinderarbeid.
Wat doen de Europese conservatieven, (incl. CDA en BBB)? Diezelfde grote bedrijven een vrijbrief geven om te cashen over de rug van kinderen en klimaat.
Europa verdient beter.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Wat doen de Europese conservatieven, (incl. CDA en BBB)? Diezelfde grote bedrijven een vrijbrief geven om te cashen over de rug van kinderen en klimaat.
Europa verdient beter.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Sophie in't Veld
🎧What is the impact of Trump on reproductive rights worldwide?
In the final episode of our #podcast, @sophieintveld.bsky.social talks with Neil Datta about how #Trump 2.0 is threatens #SRHR globally and whether #Europe could lead the fight for the right to decide.
🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lv4...
In the final episode of our #podcast, @sophieintveld.bsky.social talks with Neil Datta about how #Trump 2.0 is threatens #SRHR globally and whether #Europe could lead the fight for the right to decide.
🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lv4...
"Beyond the Chaos" Episode 6 - The Right to Decide
YouTube video by European Parliamentary Forum
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
🎧What is the impact of Trump on reproductive rights worldwide?
In the final episode of our #podcast, @sophieintveld.bsky.social talks with Neil Datta about how #Trump 2.0 is threatens #SRHR globally and whether #Europe could lead the fight for the right to decide.
🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lv4...
In the final episode of our #podcast, @sophieintveld.bsky.social talks with Neil Datta about how #Trump 2.0 is threatens #SRHR globally and whether #Europe could lead the fight for the right to decide.
🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lv4...
Reposted by Sophie in't Veld
If today’s vote on Omnibus I passes with EPP+ECR+Patriots support, it establishes the operational majority for the rest of von der Leyen's term
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
The EU Far-Right Tracker: Exposing when the EPP sides with the Far Right | The Good Lobby
Despite repeated reassurances from Commission the EPP continues to rely on the far right to pass legislation or secure political wins.
thegoodlobby.eu
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 AM
If today’s vote on Omnibus I passes with EPP+ECR+Patriots support, it establishes the operational majority for the rest of von der Leyen's term
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
This will have major economic and societal consequences at the time these groups chose Trump over the EU
thegoodlobby.eu/the-eu-far-r...
This 👇. The Shield is a Sham. It does not protect Europe’s democracy from attacks from the inside, ao by Trump’s Trojan Horses and Putin’s Poodles. Meanwhile EU leaders themselves are demolishing vital checks and balances at lightning speed. It is up to all of us to stand up and defend democracy
A Commission official has admitted to Euractiv that President von der Leyen's office "softened" the #DemocracyShield text published today "so as not to upset the US".
Our leaders only want to talk about Russia. When it comes to disinformation, the EU's biggest threat is the one who cannot be named.
Our leaders only want to talk about Russia. When it comes to disinformation, the EU's biggest threat is the one who cannot be named.
Can the EU's new Democracy Shield protect Europe from America?
It appears MAGA has successfully intimidated the Commission into defanging its new anti-disinformation tool proposed today.
davekeating.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
This 👇. The Shield is a Sham. It does not protect Europe’s democracy from attacks from the inside, ao by Trump’s Trojan Horses and Putin’s Poodles. Meanwhile EU leaders themselves are demolishing vital checks and balances at lightning speed. It is up to all of us to stand up and defend democracy
"Omnibus" legislation sounds fancy but it is a trick to circumvent the democratic legislative procedure. Want to know more? In one hour - at 16h30 CET - you can connect and follow the webinar organised by @alemanno.bsky.social. More info 👇
Join us today to discuss whether the EU can LEGALLY adopt Omnibuses as the privileged legislative technique to pursue its 'simplification agenda'.
Date: Wednesday, 12 November
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Venue: Online webinar, Zoom
Register thegoodlobby.eu/is-omnibus-i...
Date: Wednesday, 12 November
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Venue: Online webinar, Zoom
Register thegoodlobby.eu/is-omnibus-i...
November 12, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"Omnibus" legislation sounds fancy but it is a trick to circumvent the democratic legislative procedure. Want to know more? In one hour - at 16h30 CET - you can connect and follow the webinar organised by @alemanno.bsky.social. More info 👇
National leaders have been blocking an EU anti-discrimination law for seventeen years. You read that right: for SEVENTEEN YEARS they cannot agree that EU citizens should have equal rights.
Progress report on negotiations on a general EU anti-discrimination directive (outside employment) - still no unanimity on this - data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document...
data.consilium.europa.eu
November 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
National leaders have been blocking an EU anti-discrimination law for seventeen years. You read that right: for SEVENTEEN YEARS they cannot agree that EU citizens should have equal rights.
De laatste jaren is er bij elke verkiezing een enorme wissel van de wacht, terwijl ervaring en institutioneel geheugen verdwijnt, en daarmee de capaciteit om de regering te controleren. Zeven van de tien langstzittende Kamerleden zijn PVVers.
De Kamer neemt afscheid van 70 vertrekkende leden – van het ‘draaideur-Kamerlid’ tot het afwezige ‘fenomeen’
De Kamer neemt afscheid van 70 vertrekkende leden – van het ‘draaideur-Kamerlid’ tot het afwezige ‘fenomeen’
Laat de plagerige recensies van vertrekkende Kamerleden maar aan voorzitter Martin Bosma (PVV) over. „Je kon totaal afdwalen van je oorspronkelijke inbreng”, zei Bosma over…
www.nrc.nl
November 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
De laatste jaren is er bij elke verkiezing een enorme wissel van de wacht, terwijl ervaring en institutioneel geheugen verdwijnt, en daarmee de capaciteit om de regering te controleren. Zeven van de tien langstzittende Kamerleden zijn PVVers.
Verplichte lectuur voor alle Europese politici: interview met @balliauw.bsky.social en @tomvandeweghe.bsky.social over China, de VS en de plek van Europa in de nieuwe wereldorde. Europa heeft kansen, maar moet dringend haar naïviteit afschudden en in actie komen www.demorgen.be/nieuws/oud-c...
Oud-correspondenten Jan Balliauw en Tom Van de Weghe: ‘We moeten stoppen met ons vast te klampen aan het achterhaalde wereldbeeld van Amerika. Dat is een land in verval’
Terwijl wij de blik op de VS richten, proberen Tom Van de Weghe (50) en Jan Balliauw (65) al hun hele carrière om de ziel van China en Rusland te vatten. Nu zetten de voormalige VRT-collega’s hun miss...
www.demorgen.be
November 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Verplichte lectuur voor alle Europese politici: interview met @balliauw.bsky.social en @tomvandeweghe.bsky.social over China, de VS en de plek van Europa in de nieuwe wereldorde. Europa heeft kansen, maar moet dringend haar naïviteit afschudden en in actie komen www.demorgen.be/nieuws/oud-c...
Bouchez en Yesilgöz hebben hetzelfde playbook: het land in gijzeling houden voor partijpolitiek gewin. Beide ultra-rechtse populisten.
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Bouchez en Yesilgöz hebben hetzelfde playbook: het land in gijzeling houden voor partijpolitiek gewin. Beide ultra-rechtse populisten.
100 legal experts demonstrating how "deregulation" is code-language for "dismantling the rule of law". Their paper 👇 @alemanno.bsky.social
“The Omnibus fails to meet the constitutional standards the EU’s own legal order demands”.
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
That’s the conclusion reached by legal opinion endorsed by 100+ academics warning the Parliament about this dangerous precedent.
Read the opinion 👇 #Omnibus #CSRD #CSDDD
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
November 10, 2025 at 9:41 AM
100 legal experts demonstrating how "deregulation" is code-language for "dismantling the rule of law". Their paper 👇 @alemanno.bsky.social
European gvts are using Pegasus #spyware. Its vendor NSO will now be run by a close Trump ally. NSO and the Israel gvt have access to ALL the data acquired with #Pegasus. Do you still think national authorities will handle this perfectly well @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu?
⚠️ David Friedman, Trump's former ambassador to Israel and one of the key architects of the Abraham Accords, has been appointed head of #spyware vendor NSO Group.
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
www.themarker.com/technation/2...
שגריר ארה"ב לשעבר דיוויד פרידמן מונה ליו"ר NSO, שעוברת לבעלות אמריקאית
המהלך מגיע לאחר חודשים של מאמצים לבטל את הסנקציות מארה"ב על החברה, ואחרי שפאראגון, המתחרה הגדולה, עברה גם היא לבעלות אמריקאית ■ לא ברור מי הבעלים החדשים, איך ניירת חושפת כי עו"ד שייצג בעבר את שר המשפט...
www.themarker.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
European gvts are using Pegasus #spyware. Its vendor NSO will now be run by a close Trump ally. NSO and the Israel gvt have access to ALL the data acquired with #Pegasus. Do you still think national authorities will handle this perfectly well @hennavirkkunen.bsky.social @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu?
So while Musk is busy attacking democracy in Europe, and while European governments are scrambling to find budget for social security, housing and defense, Musk gets a 1 trillion dollar bonus, tax breaks and velvet enforcement of EU rules?
November 8, 2025 at 9:43 AM
So while Musk is busy attacking democracy in Europe, and while European governments are scrambling to find budget for social security, housing and defense, Musk gets a 1 trillion dollar bonus, tax breaks and velvet enforcement of EU rules?