DiEM25
Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 official podcast. Subversive ideas you won't hear anywhere else.
Episodes
Hasan Piker & Yanis Varoufakis | Banned for Insufficient Support of Genocide
This week the UK banned Hasan Piker from entering the country, claiming his presence was "not conducive to the public good" — but it's clearly over his stance on Gaza. He was due to speak at SXSW London and the Oxford Union. Two years ago, Germany did the same to Yanis Varoufakis, banned around a pro-Palestine conference in Berlin. Hasan and Yanis compare notes: liberal governments silencing peopl
E72: Yanis Varoufakis Answers Your Toughest Questions
We're back with another live AMA with Yanis Varoufakis. The floor is yours. From geopolitics and economics to technology, culture, and beyond — your questions drive the conversation, and nothing is off limits. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS: Yanis Varoufakis (site): https://yanisvaroufakis.eu Mehran Khalili (newsletter on effective activism): https://mehrankhalili.com/subscribe
E71: The Jews They Won't Let Speak | Yanis Varoufakis & James Schneider
Germany pioneered Europe's crackdown on Palestine solidarity, and Britain is catching up fast — proscribing solidarity groups as terrorist organisations, criminalising slogans, and threatening to ban the marches altogether. What the official story leaves out: the anti-genocide Jewish voices being written out of "the Jewish community." They have been silenced, expelled from parties, and accused of
E70: The Iran Reckoning — What the crisis means for Europe's politics, and your pocket
The Iran war isn't just a Middle East story: it's landing on Europe right now, in energy bills, in supply chains, in political calculations from Berlin to Rome. And the questions most people are asking aren't being answered clearly anywhere. How exposed are we in Europe really, and why? Who gets hit hardest? What will this crisis do to European politics as elections approach — and how will people
E69: Ask Yanis Varoufakis Anything
Your chance to put Yanis Varoufakis on the spot. Politics, economics, philosophy — or something completely unexpected. Nothing is off the table. Join us live as Yanis answers questions submitted by you. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS Yanis Varoufakis (site): https://yanisvaroufakis.eu Mehran Khalili (newsletter): https://mehrankhalili.com/subscribe SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.o
Tortured for Saying No: One Ukrainian's Determination to Resist Nonviolently
As Europe rearms and conscription returns across the continent, what happens to those who refuse to fight? In the first episode of a new Frontline series on conscientious objection, host Mehran Khalili speaks to Yurii Sheliazhenko — a Ukrainian legal scholar, pacifist, and winner of the Seán MacBride Peace Prize. He's been a declared conscientious objector since 1998. Two weeks before this intervi
E68: Iran — The War Nobody Is Stopping, with Yanis Varoufakis and Grace Blakeley
Opposition to the Iran war exists, in the polls, on the streets, across Europe. But it isn't translating into political pressure. Why not? And what would it take to change that? In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and Grace Blakeley examine the structural barriers keeping anti-war sentiment from becoming anti-war power, and what resistance could actually look like from here. Hosted by Mehran Khal
Iran after the strike: what just happened?
On 28 February the US and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. The strikes killed the Supreme Leader and hit cities across the country. What most reports leave out is that the attacks came hours after Oman's foreign minister announced that Iran had accepted a diplomatic opening. Why did it happen then? Why has Europe stayed silent? Why did Spain break ranks? And what does the
E67: Europe Has Become a War Project — Can It Be Stopped? | Yanis Varoufakis & Jeffrey Sachs
As leaders, generals and diplomats gather in Munich this weekend to debate Europe's security and the future of the transatlantic alliance, the real question is not what is said on stage, but what direction Europe is being steered toward. In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and Jeffrey Sachs will examine the conclusions of the Munich Security Conference — and the wider headlines, reactions and s
The Playbook to Defang the System (Before It Defangs You)
After our livestream this week with Naomi Klein and Yanis Varoufakis, we sat down to pull out what actually matters in practice. Not a recap, but a tactical discussion: on how dissent is neutralised today — through platforms, finance, and institutions — and where we can realistically apply pressure. We talk about public contracts, platform dependency, crisis moments, and why some fights are winnab
E66: You Don't Own Your Narrative Anymore — Naomi Klein and Yanis Varoufakis
Naomi Klein joins Yanis Varoufakis for a live conversation on what public life on the left looks like today. From recent deepfakes using Yanis' image for viral gain, to his latest police harassment over events from decades ago, the discussion opens onto larger questions Naomi explores in Doppelgänger (identity, imitation, credibility, and what "truth" means when noise travels faster than instituti
E65: The Empire Strikes Back: Trump, Venezuela and ICE — with Yanis Varoufakis and Arnaud Bertrand
In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and entrepreneur and commentator Arnaud Bertrand unpack what just happened in Venezuela, why it matters far beyond Latin America, and what people can do when "might makes right" is being sold as order. We'll also look at Europe's response, the oil angle, and the wider shift towards more force, fewer constraints, and weaker rules. And what it means for the futur
E64: The 2025 Political Hall of Shame Awards — with Yanis Varoufakis
As 2025 comes to a close, those in power are already rewriting what happened. We refuse to let that stand. In this year-end livestream, Yanis Varoufakis reviews the moments of 2025 that most clearly exposed how power really operates. We hand out a set of deliberately unofficial Shamelessness Awards. Each category comes with a shortlist, the audience votes, and Yanis responds live: unpacking what t
E63: Is Europe Betraying Ukraine? Yanis Varoufakis & Volodymyr Ishchenko React LIVE
In this livestream, Yanis Varoufakis and Ukrainian sociologist Volodymyr Ishchenko explore how EU leaders are undermining Ukraine to justify their plans to re-arm Europe. If EU leaders won't send troops and won't negotiate, whom does their "solidarity" really serve? And why are some in Brussels worried that peace itself would threaten their new militarisation agenda? Join us for this crucial conve
Manal Mahamid: On Art, Trees, and the Landscape Israel Tried to Erase
In this episode, artist Manal Mahamid reflects on growing up in a rural Palestinian village where even the landscape was weaponised to erase identity. She speaks about creating art from the land itself, soil, stones, plants, and how her work exposes the colonial logic behind forests, monuments, and "reclaimed" green spaces. Mahamid's practice transforms memory, displacement, and resistance into a
Born in a Refugee Camp: How Monther Jawabreh Uses Concrete to Tell the Story of the Occupation
In this important interview, Palestinian artist Monther Jawabreh reflects on growing up in a refugee camp and discovering art as a way to fight for his people's story. He speaks about collective memory, political commitment, and why concrete has become his material of resistance. Jawabreh's work transforms loss into testimony, challenging erasure through form, memory and struggle. ALL EYES ON PALE
'You Don't Look Arab': Doris Hakim on Racism, Identity & Art
In this episode, artist Doris Hakim reflects on growing up in Nazareth, navigating a fragmented identity, and discovering her Palestinian self only after leaving home. She speaks about memory, political erasure, and the everyday racism that shaped her iconic work 'You Don't Look Arab'. Hakim's story exposes how borders—geographical, cultural, and psychological—leave traces that art can finally nam
'Art Saved My Life': The Story of Palestinian Artist Rana Bishara
In this episode, Palestinian artist Rana Bishara reflects on how art became a lifeline—preserving memory, dignity and identity in the face of erasure. Speaking from Galilee, she shares her story of growing up on the Lebanese border, surviving ongoing trauma, and transforming resistance into creative practice. Through performance, public art, and memory-work, Bishara shows how art becomes both test
The Art of Not Belonging: Shadi Alzaqzouq's Incredible Journey
In this conversation, Shadi Alzaqzouq reflects on growing up without a homeland, discovering art as a weapon of self-definition, and challenging the stereotypes imposed on him as a Palestinian. His work blends rebellion, identity, and freedom to confront a world that keeps pushing him outside its walls. ALL EYES ON PALESTINE EXHIBITION The All Eyes on Palestine Exhibition raises awareness about th
Turning IDF Footage Into Art: Mahmoud Alhaj's Story From Gaza to Exile
In this important dialogue, Mahmoud Alhaj discusses life in Gaza, the experience of displacement, and the urgency of documenting violence from the victim's perspective. He reveals how he works with Israeli military footage to expose what is hidden behind the aesthetics of "efficiency" and power. The interview also highlights the solidarity within the Palestinian artistic community and the role of
E62: Richard D. Wolff and Yanis Varoufakis React to Zohran Mamdani's brilliant victory
What does Zohran Mamdani's breakthrough victory in New York signal for the Left — not only in the United States but across a world trapped between oligarchy, neoliberal decay, neofascist surges and rising authoritarianism? Join Yanis Varoufakis and Richard D. Wolff as they unpack the political earthquake shaking America's political establishment, and what it means for progressives worlwide. Hosted
E61 Kidnapped at Sea by Israel — David Adler with Yanis Varoufakis on Gaza and Big Tech's War Machine
Seized in international waters and held in Israel's desert prison, David Adler joins Yanis Varoufakis to recount the flotilla and examine Big Tech's role in Gaza — what it reveals about corporate power and what may be coming next. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. Tune in and put your questions to David and Yanis! SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.org/join Donate: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: htt
Yanis Varoufakis & Grace Blakeley: Why Everything Feels Broken
In this discussion recorded in Athens, Grace Blakeley and Yanis Varoufakis expose how our so-called democracies have been captured by elites. From Gaza to the climate crisis to the collapse of liberal politics, they explore why even "progressive" leaders are absorbed by the system they enter, how neoliberalism has hollowed out collective power, and why only a bottom-up, transnational movement can
Gaza Flotillas: What REALLY Happened?
An interview with Melanie Schweizer, legal representative for the Global Sumud Flotilla, about the state of the flotillas — who's out, who's missing, how people were treated — and the practical next steps for activists. Hosted by Mehran Khalili, and recorded October 9, 2025. SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.org/join Donate: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25off
E60: Gaza 2 Years On: Yanis Varoufakis & Katie Halper on the Flotilla, Israel's PR Machine & What's Next
Two years since October 7, Katie Halper (@TheKatieHalperShow) and Yanis Varoufakis join host Mehran Khalili to break down Israel's genocide in Gaza, the latest on the flotilla, Israel's influencer PR push, and the "peace plan". What can we do? SUPPORT US Join DiEM25: https://diem25.org/join Donate to DiEM25: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official FOLLOW T
E59: Gaza, NATO, Far Right: Yanis Varoufakis Speaks Out
Yanis Varoufakis sits down with Mehran Khalili to talk Gaza, NATO versus Russia, and the rise of the far right in Europe. What can we do? Bring your questions! SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.org/join Donate: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official FOLLOW THE SPEAKERS Yanis: @yanisvaroufakis — https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu Mehran: @mkhalili — https://w
The German Playbook for Silencing Dissent
Germany is cracking down on pro-Palestine activism — and other European governments are watching closely. In this video, we take you inside Germany's growing playbook for silencing dissent: from police brutality on the streets of Berlin to bans, cancellations, and even EU sanctions against activists and journalists. Through three powerful firsthand stories — Melanie, a civil servant fired for spea
E58: The Referendum That Shook Europe: 10 Years On – With Yanis Varoufakis and Raoul Martinez
Ten years after Greece's thunderous "NO" to austerity, Yanis Varoufakis sits down with film-maker Raoul Martinez and host Mehran Khalili to revisit that historic showdown with Europe's political establishment. We bust the official myths, look at lessons learned, and spell out what activists across Europe must do next. If you missed the story: Greece elected the anti-austerity Syriza party in early
E57: He Was Banned for Exposing Gaza Truths — Now He Speaks Out. With Yanis Varoufakis
Israel's genocide in Gaza grinds on, while Israeli officials now signal they are "fully ready" to strike Iran—raising the risk of a regional firestorm. But within the EU, dissent is being crushed. In an unprecedented case, the EU has sanctioned one of its own citizens for being a journalist. http://red.media founder Hüseyin Doğru was targeted on behalf of Germany—for exposing Germany's complicity
E56: What's Really Happening in Palestine — with Mohammed El-Kurd & Yanis Varoufakis
Israel is escalating its genocide in Gaza. Entire families are being wiped out, famine is spreading, and airstrikes are targeting shelters and schools. In the West Bank, killings and settler violence are surging as Israel tightens its grip on the territory. Yet despite these atrocities, international media coverage has diminished. While a handful of European governments have begun to question thei
E55: Yanis Varoufakis in Conversation with Jeffrey Sachs on the Six Global Crises Confronting Humanity
Jeffrey Sachs and Yanis Varoufakis worked together a decade ago to prevent Europe from harming itself by crushing Greece. They failed. Since then, Europe's self-harming policies exacerbated by a lethal dependence on, and servility to, the US have had nasty repercussions for Ukraine, Palestine as well as Europe's relations with China. Now that Trump is back, with Europe's Green Deal already abandon
E54: Le Pen Ban: Stopping the Far Right — or Fueling It? With Yanis Varoufakis, Glenn Greenwald & David Broder
Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far right and a top contender for the presidency, has just been banned from running after a corruption conviction. Is this a legitimate ruling — or lawfare: the weaponisation of the legal system to block political opponents? Join Yanis Varoufakis, award-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald, and Jacobin's Europe editor David Broder for a live discussion hosted by Meh
E53: Ukraine, Rearmament and Europe's Dead End — Q+A with Yanis Varoufakis
Yanis Varoufakis recently called Europe's rearmament a catastrophe in the making — and laid out a bold peace plan for Ukraine. Now, he's taking your questions head-on: about Ukraine, the EU's failed war strategy, and what a real path to peace and sovereignty could look like. Whether you agree or not, this is the debate Europe refuses to have. Hosted by Mehran Khalili. SUPPORT US Join: https://die
E01 Counter Stream: Trump's Power Grab, Ukraine's Exploitation and Europe's Identity Crisis
Welcome to Counter Stream—DiEM25's unfiltered monthly dive into the stories shaping our world that mainstream media ignores or distorts. In this powerful new episode, Julijana Zita is joined by Kinza Saleem for a wide-ranging conversation that connects the dots between Trump's authoritarian circus, global resource grabs, and the crumbling illusions of European identity. From Trump's self-coronatio
E52: DeepSeek, AI, and the New Cold War — with Yanis Varoufakis and Arnaud Bertrand
DeepSeek has upended the AI industry with open-source models that rival OpenAI's GPT-4, shaking the global tech and financial order. But its rise also raises urgent questions about security, economic power, and AI's future. In this live discussion, Yanis Varoufakis and Malaysia-based entrepreneur and commentator Arnaud Bertrand will explore the fallout, hosted by Mehran Khalili. How does DeepSeek'
E51: Trump 2.0 — Yanis Varoufakis and Katie Halper on Gaza, Europe, and What's Next
As Donald Trump assumes the presidency, the world is bracing for shifts in international relations and policy. From Israel's genocide in Gaza to the war in Ukraine, the US' strategic rivalry with China, and the challenges facing Europe, Trump's administration is poised to leave a significant mark. What should we expect in the coming months on these critical issues? How might Trump's foreign policy
E50: Elon Musk's Move Into Politics: Yanis Varoufakis and Cory Doctorow on Fighting Billionaire Control
Elon Musk's growing role in politics represents a troubling evolution in how wealthy elites shape public discourse and policy. From his control of X (formerly Twitter) to his involvement in U.S. elections alongside Donald Trump, to his recent support for anti-migrant and nationalist parties in Europe (including the AfD and Tommy Robinson), Musk's actions highlight the alarming intersection of tech
Germany's biggest tabloid tried to silence her for criticising Israel—but it backfired spectacularly
What happens when you speak up for Gaza in Germany? Melanie Schweizer — lawyer, political candidate with MERA25 Germany, and Ministry of Labour adviser — joins Mehran Khalili to expose how BILD, Germany's biggest tabloid, targeted her for speaking out against Israel's genocide. In this riveting interview, she reveals the toll of standing up for Palestine, the media's role in silencing dissent, and
E49: Is 2025 Europe's Last Chance? Yanis Varoufakis and Srećko Horvat on Palestine, Syria and more!
2024 has been a year of upheaval and awakening, marked by climate disasters, rising inequality, and a geopolitical landscape in turmoil. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the genocide in Palestine and widespread protests across Europe, it's been a tough year for many. Meanwhile, political paralysis and a sense that decisions about our future are being made behind closed doors have left citizens f
How algorithms are taking control of our lives — interview with Novara Media's Craig Gent
In this discussion, Tiare Gatti Mora interviews Craig Gent, writer, editor, and researcher, and a director at Novara Media. They dive into the urgent themes of Gent's latest book, Cyberboss — examining the rise of algorithmic management, the growing insecurity of workers, and the shifting role of labour unions in the face of technological control. Together, they explore how digital systems are und
E48: Harris vs. Trump: a choice between two evils? With Yanis Varoufakis and Rania Khalek
America is going to the polls in a divisive election which will shape not only its only policies, but also global affairs. Kamala Harris aims to uphold the course of the current administration, while Donald Trump eyes a return that could bring isolationism and a tougher stance on alliances. European leaders are watching closely, as the outcome will shape NATO, trade, and transatlantic security. Wh
E47: Fortress Europe or Open Borders? The Future of Migration Policy
EU governments are outdoing each other in introducing tough anti-immigration measures, embracing policies that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Poland is pushing to suspend the right to asylum, Germany has reinstated border controls, and Italy has opened two centres to process asylum seekers outside its borders. Now, EU leaders are considering ramping up deportations, aiming to se
E46: One year after October 7 — War, Resistance, and What Comes Next
As we mark the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, the Israeli government has brought the Middle East to the brink of war. Backed by the West, Israel's genocide in Gaza continues, and the conflict has expanded to fronts like Lebanon. Israeli actions in Iran and Lebanon have escalated tensions, drawing in Tehran. The humanitarian toll is immense, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and millions
Hard lessons for the Left: analysing Austria's far-right victory
In this discussion, Mehran Khalili and political scientist Konstantina Zoehrer dive into the recent far-right electoral success in Austria. They examine the key takeaways for the Left and explore what progressive movements must understand and adapt to in order to counter the rise of the far-right. Join us for a critical conversation on the challenges ahead and how the Left can regroup in the face
E45: WTF, Germany?
Once seen as a pillar of stability in Europe, Germany is unravelling. Its economy is in decline, and the far-right AfD recently won a state election, marking a disturbing shift in the political landscape. The country has reintroduced border controls, violating a core EU principle. And its legacy parties continue to slide into authoritarianism, suppressing pro-Palestinian voices at home while suppo
E44: Is EU austerity back? With Yanis Varoufakis, Karin De Rigo, Federico Dolce and more!
In a quiet vote last Tuesday, EU lawmakers brought in new rules for public spending… which could have a profound effect on millions in Europe. The supposed goal of this overhaul was to make the rules clearer and more investment-friendly, with supporters calling them a necessary step towards economic stability. But critics say the change will force big budget cuts in many EU member states, meaning
E43: BANNED from Germany for speaking out for Palestine — with Yanis Varoufakis
The long repression of pro-Palestinian voices in Germany reached a peak last Friday. German police shut down the Palestine Congress, a vital event to unite activists around a ceasefire for Gaza. They detained participants, including Jewish activists; they deported a Palestinian speaker. And then they banned our own Yanis Varoufakis, not only from making political speeches in Germany, but also from
E42: What the hell is happening in Germany? The brutal attack on pro-Palestinian voices
As Israel's genocide in Gaza rages on, Germany is leading efforts to silence criticism of Israel's actions. The German government and its institutions have cancelled a stream of cultural events that show solidarity with Palestine, smearing prominent artists and intellectuals – many of them Jewish – as anti-semitic. They've intimidated activists and searched their homes. They've even made cultural
E41: Russia vs NATO — is nuclear war on the horizon?
The proxy war in Ukraine between NATO and Russia has come into sharp focus in recent weeks. French President Macron refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine, provoking a wide backlash. The German leader, Scholz, claimed that British soldiers are already fighting on the battlefield. Putin warned of nuclear war if NATO troops were sent to Ukraine; his leading critic, Navalny, died in a Russian
E40: The war on truth – Julian Assange, media and global discourse
This week, we'll have the final ruling on whether Julian Assange can be extradited to the US, to face a 175-year prison sentence for revealing the secrets of power. The case casts a long shadow over press freedom, signaling what many see as the ultimate demise of journalistic independence. At the same time, the media's historical role in supporting (selling) conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and its
E39: Farming fury — what's really driving EU protests?
Farmers' protests have erupted across the EU. In Germany, Greece, Italy and other countries, they're blocking city centres with tractors, spraying manure on government buildings and pelting officials with eggs. Why? Inadequate compensation, high taxes, red tape and the impact of climate regulations. Establishment media have dismissed the protests as the grumblings of a coddled group over unfair co
Lucas Febraro interviews Udi Raz — Jewish guide FIRED from Berlin's Jewish Museum for supporting Palestine
An interview with Udi Raz from Jewish Voice for Peace in the Middle East on how the Holocaust impacted the societies and politics of both Germany and Israel January 27 is Holocaust Remembrance Day, a date of enormous symbolic importance in Europe, marking one of the darkest chapters in human history. It's a day of particular significance in Germany, of course. The so-called remembrance culture, Ge
E38: Israel in court — game changer or sideshow?
A new front has opened on Israel-Palestine: South Africa confronted Israel with accusations of genocide at the UN's top court. The submission also called on the court to order the Jewish state to stop its military operations against Palestinians, which have killed more than 23,350 civilians since October 7. The case has already exposed divisions in Europe, with Germany's unwavering support for Isr
The information war on Israel-Palestine: a conversation with Lucas Febraro and Mehran Khalili
In this interview Mehran Khalili talks with Lucas Febraro, DiEM25 Communications Director, about the situation in the Middle east and the information war that's running in parallel with it. SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.org/join Donate: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/DiEM25official
E37: Holiday Special
It's that time of year! So in this holiday livestream, we're switching things up a bit. Join us as we look back on the pivotal moments of 2023. We'll be predicting what lies ahead, and discussing the implications for anti-establishment activism. It's not all serious though. We'll also be sharing our personal holiday season recommendations – and we'd love to hear yours too. Drop your thoughts in th
E36: COP28 — A new path or old mistakes?
As the dust settles on COP28, it's time to reflect: did this conference mark a turning point in the global fight against climate change, or was it another chapter in a long story of missed opportunities and unfulfilled promises? In a world where the effects of climate change are disproportionately borne by those least responsible, Europe's role extends beyond its borders, with debates raging over
The awful truth behind Dutch election results — Mehran Khalili interviews Lucille Cornelius
In this interview, recorded on November 22, Mehran Khalili talks with Lucille Cornelius, DiEM25 member and activist living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, about the real meaning behind the Dutch election results, rising far-right and what we can do to tackle this political trend across Europe. SUPPORT US Join: https://diem25.org/join Donate: https://diem25.org/donate Subscribe: https://www.youtube.
E35: The new global disorder?
Several latent conflicts have resurfaced. In Gaza, Israel's relentless bombardment of innocent civilians in Palestine is entering its seventh week. In Ukraine, the fight against Russia is slipping towards a violent, bloody stalemate. These conflicts are testing traditional geopolitical alliances, and bringing about new ones. Meanwhile, this century has seen major shifts in world power. The US is n
E34: Free Speech or Hate Speech? Gaza, Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Mainstream media and politicians are decrying a surge in antisemitic incidents in Europe, as Israel continues its indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians in retaliation for the Hamas attack of October 7. But these pronouncements have also sparked accusations of Islamophobia. Some politicians and commentators have implied that antisemitism is intrinsic to Muslim communities. Meanwhile, European lead
E33: Gaza screams for help. Why won't Europe listen?
We're more than two weeks into the implacable collective punishment of the Palestinian people by Israel. Thousands of civilians have been killed, most of them children, in a campaign that has Palestinians and Western activists and academics ringing the alarm bells of genocide. And yet our European leaders seem incapable to see anything but Israel exercising its "right to self-defence". Unelected C
E32: Israel-Hamas: What's happening, and what can we do?
For over half a century, the enduring occupation of Palestine has led to indescribable suffering being inflicted upon the Palestinian population. Leading Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights groups have said that the totality and severity of the human rights violations against the Palestinian population amount to the crime against humanity of apartheid. Living under the shadow of ap
E31: Silencing voices — the war on civil liberties
When is infringing on civil liberties fair game against political opponents? 2023 has seen a depressing uptick in attacks on civil liberties in the name of political disagreement, from across the ideological spectrum. Jeremy Corbyn was a victim of a frivolous lawsuit to silence him. Nigel Farage claimed his bank account was closed due to his controversial 'values'. And across both sides of the Atl
E30: Africa and BRICS assert themselves. What should Europe do?
Major events in Africa have taken place in recent weeks. In Niger and Gabon, coups d'état removed historical European allies from power, adding to a growing list of such events in the Western part of the continent since 2020. New governments in countries like Burkina Faso, backed by broad popular support, are reassessing their deep neocolonial ties with Europe, particularly France. While Paris and
E29: Grief and anger in France: liberty, equality and fraternity for whom?
Anger is palpable in the streets of France today, as the recent killing of 17-year-old Nahel by police during a traffic stop ignited countrywide protests. Such large-scale unrest hadn't been seen since the Gilet Jaunes movement took off five years ago. As a result of this, and of his extremely unpopular pension reform – which also saw widespread protests – Emmanuel Macron's popularity has hit rock
E28: Europe's Mediterranean graveyard – with Yanis Varoufakis, Miguel Duarte and more
This month saw one of the worst shipwrecks in Europe in a decade. Up to 700 people drowned, including at least 100 children, when a refugee boat sank off the Greek coast on June 14. It's another tragic milestone resulting from the anti-migrant policies of governments like Greece, and of the EU itself. Inhumane policies that were given voice last year by the EU's foreign affairs chief: Europe is "b
E27: Beyond bigotry — Why are transgender rights under attack?
DiEM25 has always stood firmly against transphobia and all forms of discrimination. There is no question for our movement about the validity of transgender rights. In mainstream media and the wider society, though, numerous related issues have ignited fiery debates, including potential implications for women's spaces, the question of youth transitioning, and the impact on sports competitions. As a
Frontline 06: Should killing nature be a crime? | An interview with JoJo Mehta
There are growing calls for the crime of "ecocide", meaning mass damage and destruction of ecosystems, to be recognised in international criminal law. This would ensure that individuals, company directors, CEOs, can be prosecuted for the ecological damage caused by the organisations they head up, like oil spills, deforestation, or soil pollution, wherever these organisations may be. Could this be
E26: What the hell happened to Green politics? With Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita and more!
Not so long ago, the term "green politics" had a much more radical meaning, and a vote for a Green party was a vote for climate justice. Green parties have benefitted politically from the impact of growing movements like Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion. They have entered government in countries like Germany and Austria, partnering with far-right parties in the process. In Germany, they
E25: Election update! With Yanis Varoufakis, Erik Edman and our political candidates from Bremen
In the next few days, we'll make history: for the first time ever, an international left-wing movement will be running in elections in two different countries, just a week apart. Our political parties MERA25 will be on the ballot in general elections in Greece, and in the German state of Bremen. In a sense, these two bids couldn't be more different. In Greece, our party has been in parliament for
E24: Is Europe a vassal of the US? With Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita, Erik Edman and more!
Speaking during an official visit to China, Emmanuel Macron said that Europe should chart its own course and be a 'third pole' in world affairs between Washington and Beijing – and not be a vassal to either as the New Cold War threatens to escalate. Unsurprisingly, his comments have caused unease among many European leaders, for whom unquestioned alignment with Washington is the only way. Is Europ
How to fix the housing crisis — MERA25 Talks E1
Why is housing broken in so many countries in Europe? And how can a political party that goes beyond national borders make sure that having a roof over your head goes back to what it should always be: a basic right? Join activists from our political parties – MERA25 Germany, MERA25 Italy, and MERA25 Greece – as we debate this, and much more, in the first episode of MERA25 Talks! SUPPORT US Join:
E23: GPT-4 and beyond - Discussing AI with Yanis Varoufakis, Julijana Zita, Maja Pelevic and more
Join Yanis Varoufakis and the coordinating team of DiEM25 for a live discussion on the potential impact of AI on our lives, in light of the recent release of GPT-4. We'll explore the ways in which AI could revolutionise the political landscape, potentially altering the way decisions are made and how we engage with our leaders. We'll look at the implications of AI on the job market, on activism, an
E22: Housing is out of control
Across Europe, the cost of housing has risen sharply in recent years. Rents have exploded; neighbourhoods gentrified; public spaces privatised. The result: more and more people facing homelessness or precarious living conditions. What are the root causes of this growing — yet relatively under-reported — crisis? What are the different housing challenges people are facing across European countries?
E21: When privatisation kills
Last week, a devastating train collision in Greece claimed at least 57 lives, the latest stain on the record of the EU's most dangerous rail network. In the Greek parliament, our political party MeRA25 blamed the lack of safety on the privatisation of the country's railways. T he state-owned train operator was sold for a measly 45 million euros to a bankrupt Italian company at the height of Greece
Erik Edman and Amineh Kakabaveh on Sweden, NATO, Ukraine, Iran and more!
In this interview for DiEM TV, DiEM25 Political Director Erik Edman interviews independent Swedish politician and former MP Amineh Kakabaveh. Together they discuss the rise of the far right, the role of the Left in Sweden and beyond, NATO, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the fight for freedom in Iran, and much more. This interview was originally recorded on October 20, 2022. SUPPORT US Join: https://
E20: A political earthquake?
Disaster struck Turkey and Syria this month when a devastating earthquake caused over 48,000 deaths, with the toll still climbing. The Turkish government's emergency response has been heavily criticised, with many arguing that the devastating number of casualties has a lot to do with rampant corruption and authoritarianism of Erdogan's regime – widespread graft in the construction industry leading
Jeremy Corbyn on the war in Ukraine, the need for a new Non-Aligned Movement and much more
In May 2022, Jeremy Corbyn spoke at MeRA25's Congress in Athens following the presentation of the Athens Declaration: a call for support for victims of war and a new Non-Aligned Movement. In this speech, Corbyn speaks about the war in Ukraine, the need for a new Non-Aligned Movement, socialism and much more. The Athens Declaration We stand with the people of Ukraine, as we stand with every people
E19: Ukraine: Are weapons really the way to peace?
The past weeks have seen a shift in Western involvement in the war between Ukraine and Russia. In a dramatic U-turn, Germany, the US, and the UK massively upgraded their military assistance to Ukraine, agreeing to send the country 100 tanks on top of billions in war aid. While Germany's foreign minister admitted for the first time: "We are fighting a war against Russia". Meanwhile, DiEM25's Yanis
Yanis Varoufakis on why the world needs a new Non-Aligned Movement
On Friday, January 27, 2023, DiEM25 co-founder and MERA25 leader Yanis Varoufakis gave a speech at the Havana Congress on the New International Economic Order, about the need for a new Non-Aligned Movement to "end the legalised robbery of people and Earth fuelling climate catastrophe." The DiEM25 co-founder was in Cuba on an official visit upon an invitation from the Havana government and a key to
E18: The dark side of the EU
Corruption. Bags of cash. Links to organised crime. Using intimidation to stop people asking questions. We always knew this EU was authoritarian and crooked. But a series of recent scandals is bringing its dark side into full relief. The Qatar corruption probe is rocking the European Parliament, having already claimed the jobs of several top MEPs. While over in Frankfurt, the European Central Bank
