Francesca Albanese takes on death threats, smears and accusations of hate speech and anti-semitism for calling out Israel’s actions in the occupied territories. She doesn’t even get paid.

This defence spending splurge in budgets may be necessary for security, but it’s triggering a lobbying gold rush in Brussels as arms manufacturers scramble to shape how new funds get spent. The result? An uptick in lobbying that risks outpacing the rules meant to keep influence peddling in check, warns Transparency International.

Denmark has hired influential K-Street lobbyists with Republican party links, as it seeks warmer relations with US president Donald Trump.  

Legal scholars have dubbed it a "sleeping beauty" — a potent yet practically unused EU Parliament instrument akin to the EU's own Article 7, designed to safeguard the rule of law and the integrity of its institutions.

Today, we kick off an anniversary campaign to convince new supporting members to join EUobserver's mission of providing the information citizens need to safeguard EU democracy.

Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have a "higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.