Europe’s idea of freedom, forged in the Enlightenment, remains an unfinished project. As Élisabeth Badinter observed, it is not a historical period but an ongoing endeavour. Today, that project faces mounting pressure: from external aggression and from internal forces that erode freedom by undermining truth, rules and institutions.
Renewing Europe’s liberal tradition therefore requires more than defending the status quo. It calls for bringing together what belongs together: freedom, justice and sustainability; aligning open markets with clear rules, individual liberty with responsibility, and prosperity with resilience. From this perspective, the green transition is not a constraint but a condition for long-term independence.
In a context of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting alliances, Europe must assume greater responsibility for defending its values and interests, including by strengthening its security and defence capabilities while reducing strategic dependencies.
