On March 7, 2025, DiEM25 hosted a pivotal event titled ‘WTF Happened to Europe? How we lost it and what we must do,’ at the National Theatre of Brussels. The gathering saw a massive turnout for a panel hosted by Mehran Khalili, featuring Yanis Varoufakis, Katie Halper, Grace Blakeley, and Melanie Schweizer, who each contributed with gripping and though-provoking speeches on the challenges that Europe is facing.
The event served as a rallying cry against the current trajectory of the European Union, highlighting issues such as economic stagnation, rising authoritarianism, and the continent’s alignment with US imperialism. Discussions centred on the EU’s role in global conflicts, including those in Gaza and Ukraine, and its impact on domestic policies leading to increased poverty and social inequality. The speakers emphasised the need for Europe to reclaim its sovereignty from war-mongering and power-hungry elites and instead promote peace and foster cooperation for the common good.
Speech highlights
Yanis Varoufakis’ speech highlighted the structural failures of the EU, arguing that its economic and political model is unsustainable. He stressed the urgent need for a radical shift in European governance.
“We once had a dream. It was a dream of what Europe could have been,” he began. “A Europe of shared prosperity, dignity, freedom – a Europe of Peace and Hope. That dream is now dead, lost, gone, kaput. Why? What the hell happened to Europe?
“We know what happened to Europe! We know why politicians from all over are descending on Brussels today like manic drones intent on bombarding to smithereens what is left of Europe as a Peace Project – determined to turn the flailing European Union into a War Union.”
Referring to EU summit the day before, Varoufakis urged the need to resist the war-mongering European politicians who are hellbent on extending the suffering and the loss of lives in Ukraine.
“We have a duty to make the indisputable case to our people out there against rearming Europe – to help them see that Military Keynesianism is the New Austerity for the many and the new money spinner for the few – that it is madness to think Putin or Trump will be deterred by our new guns and our new bombs whose manufacture will only make life in Europe less safe, nastier, poorer and shorter.”
Katie Halper critiqued the role of mainstream media in shaping public perception, particularly regarding conflicts and economic crises, but spoke of a turning tide.
“Another thing that’s positive is that people are seeing through the media. More than 75,000 subscribers have cancelled their WaPo [Washington Post] subscriptions since Jeff Bezos said he would only promote free-market and libertarian ideals,” she stated.
“Also, MSNBC viewership is really low. And I do want to say how disgusting Western media has been on Gaza.
“People are seeing through the media because the media is just an arm of the state, not only of the United States but of Israel.”
She went on to describe how the Western media has been totally complicit in spreading lies that favour Israel and hiding from the atrocities committed on the Palestinian people.But, as a result of this, “it’s becoming harder and harder to paint the pro-Palestinian movement as anti-Semitic, and to conflate anti-Semitism with anti-Zionism”.
Grace Blakeley focused on the economic inequalities deepened by neoliberal policies, discussing how corporate power and financial elites have hijacked the European project.
She particularly highlighted the need to keep European politicians on their toes and be wary of the real reason as to why our leaders are pushing so strongly for a war economy.
“I think it’s very clear that most European politicians are not interested in the living standards of most people, in their jobs or their wages. That’s not why we’re hearing calls for the war economy today, they want their defence companies to be strong and powerful to defeat other defence companies.”
Melanie Schweizer spoke about the violation of human rights and the right to free speech in Germany, sharing her experience of how she was recently, absurdly, dismissed by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs during her candidacy for political office due to statements critical of Israel on social media.
She went on to slam European politicians’ reckless support for more war funding as opposed to investing in things that will positively change the lives of everyday citizens.
“It seems the only industry that Europe is investing in is the military industrial complex, while bridges and buildings collapse around Europe and, hence, neglecting the real needs and wishes of their own people and thereby driving only more people to the far-right because even the far-right demands an end to the endless wars.
“It is but a power game of the multinational corporations and the interests of a few elites.
“Calling for the upholding of the international rule-based order and universal human rights has become a radical act of the extreme left. I’ve got some news for you: it is not! It is the consensus of our collective existence; it is the bare minimum to agree throughout all parties.”
A rallying cry
The event concluded with a call to action, urging citizens to engage in transformative politics that challenge the status quo. The speakers underscored the importance of building a Europe that serves its people, fosters peace, and promotes cooperation for the common good. This gathering marked a significant step towards mobilising collective efforts to address the systemic issues plaguing the continent.
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