European Regimes Renew Their Attacks on Free Speech
22nd October 2026
In recent weeks, German and French politicians have denounced free speech, and especially the concept of “freedom of speech” as long envisioned in the libertarian tradition of natural rights. French President Emmanuel Macron on September 29 stated that”The so-called American ‘free speech’ today, which some people have promoted, is the opposite of free speech.” Macron compared speaking freely as comparable to walking down the street assaulting other people.
A week earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared,”Don’t anyone come to me with free speech!” He asserted we must “still be able to protect citizens from false information.”
Both were speaking on issues related to online speech through social media and similar platforms. Both see a grave danger to the ruling class posed by the ability of unvetted or anonymous users to post opinions freely.