At the international conference “Defending Democracy: Horizons of Freedom,” Dr. Wolfgang Ressmann, President of Media Dialogue, delivered a strong and uncompromising speech on the existential challenges facing European democracy.

Linking democratic legitimacy directly to economic strength, technological sovereignty, and media freedom, Ressmann warned of growing internal and external threats—from authoritarian regimes and right-wing populism to the unchecked power of global tech giants. His address called for European unity, majority-based decision-making, strategic independence from the US and China, and firm support for Ukraine as a core pillar of Europe’s democratic survival:

I would like to say a few words about the framework in which we are discussing the defense of democracy.

One essential aspect is the economic dimension. Democratic legitimacy is not based only on values and institutions, but also on economic performance and social security. In this sense, Europe is facing serious challenges ahead.

There is also good news. The European Union today represents around 450 million people, and with future member states, we will reach close to 500 million citizens. This gives Europe enormous potential for growth, innovation, and global influence.
The key question, however, is whether we are capable of concentrating and using this human and economic power effectively.

At the moment, we see attempts—particularly from Donald Trump’s political agenda—to weaken and fragment the European Union by selectively supporting individual member states such as Italy and others. This strategy is a real danger. Europe must be fully aware of it.

One of the most important conclusions is that Europe, together with all current and future member states, must understand that independence is no longer optional. The era of completely free and ideologically driven free trade is over.
We must redefine economic growth, security, and democratic rights based on our own strength.

The European common market is one of the strongest markets in the world. This is a strategic asset that we must protect and develop further.

Another crucial point—closely connected to the media and democracy debate—is the growing role of global tech giants. I say this very clearly: the so-called tech giants are increasingly becoming enemies of European democracy.
They earn enormous amounts of money in Europe, while transferring capital overseas and using their power to influence and destabilize democratic systems—including supporting political forces hostile to Europe.

This is why Europe urgently needs its own digital and AI infrastructure: data centers, cloud systems, storage capacities, and technological platforms.
We all use Zoom, Google Drive, and similar services because they are affordable and easy. But Europe must be capable of building competitive alternatives. Only with strong European infrastructure can we effectively regulate these corporations through instruments such as the AI Act and digital regulations.

The goal is not to expel them from Europe, but to regulate them in a way that places European society and European industry at the center.

Let me remind you of one historic example: Airbus. At a time when Boeing dominated the global aviation industry, Europe decided to act together. Today, Airbus is a global leader.
If Europe wants, Europe can.

This must be a clear message—to Trump, to the United States, and to China.
Europe is economically strong. Europe is strong because of its democratic values. But we must fight for our economic survival and strength.

This also means confronting right-wing populist movements within Europe that sympathize with Trumpism and Putin’s Russia. These forces represent internal enemies of democracy.

At present, we see governments attempting to balance between democratic commitments and authoritarian alliances. Italy is one example. Its leadership knows very well how much it depends on the European Union.
But this also means that democratic states in the political center must no longer tolerate obstructionist behavior from governments such as Hungary and others.

The unanimity principle in key European decisions must be reconsidered. Europe needs majority-based decision-making grounded in democratic principles.

We must also acknowledge a painful truth: some undemocratic systems within the EU have been financed with European money. The corruption network of Viktor Orbán’s regime in Hungary has been sustained by EU funds. This is unacceptable.

Europe must make it clear: if governments undermine democracy, the financial flows must stop. The era of endless compromise in this field is over if Europe wants to survive as a democratic power.

Independence also means strategic autonomy. Europe needs its own space industry, its own satellite systems, and its own launch capabilities—civilian, scientific, and military.
We must not depend on Elon Musk’s empire or on Russian rockets to access space.

Likewise, Europe must be militarily strong enough to defend itself. There is no democratic sovereignty without security.

In a post–free trade world, European capital and industry must align investments with political and democratic interests. This includes strategic decisions regarding investments in China and the United States.

Coming back to media and information space: if Europe builds its own digital and media ecosystems—including social platforms—it will be able to enforce real regulation and protect freedom of expression according to European democratic standards.

If global tech corporations want to continue earning money in Europe, they must accept European law. Europe must not accept intimidation or threats of economic retaliation.

Europe must wake up.
We have enough power. We have enough people. We have knowledge, culture, and diversity. This diversity is our strength.

Media freedom plays a decisive role. Media shape public opinion and help citizens understand how they want to live. That is why defending media freedom is inseparable from defending democracy.

This year, through Media Dialogue projects in Eastern European EU member states, we have seen both the scale of the challenges and the enormous potential.

We face three main front lines:

• The defense of Ukraine against Russian imperialist aggression;

• The fight against right-wing populism and authoritarianism within Europe;

• And resistance to undemocratic forces operating inside European governments.

Our unity is the key.
Unity among democrats, unity in defending Ukraine, and unity in standing against internal and external enemies of democracy.

If we act now, Europe can remain a decisive democratic power in 10 and 20 years.
If we hesitate, we risk losing everything we have built.

All the best for Ukraine—and thank you very much.

This article and refined transcript were prepared by the author with AI-assisted language refinement and editorial support. The content remains fully faithful to the original video address. All responsibility for interpretation and publication rests with the author.

Watch the full video from the conference: