Article 235, the Desecration of the Republic and its Symbols, criminalises so-called “mockery” or ridicule of high state officials — including the prime minister, president, and ministers — with penalties of up to three years in prison.

European and US leaders are holding a snap summit in Washington on Ukrainian security and borders — amid concern Donald Trump has flipped back toward Russia.

During the past month, there has been no visible improvement on the ground. Presented as a great diplomatic breakthrough EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas' so-called “deal” has proven to be little more than a symbolic gesture and a way for Israel to buy more time, when there is no time left.

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.