The European Pirate Party launched itself last month to create a common platform for the various Pirate Parties of Europe. With Swedish Pirate MEP Amelia Andersdotter as the chairperson of their first elected board and a manifesto which outlines a raft of ideals ranging from transparent institutions to copyright reform and from defense of civil rights to new opportunities for democratic participation, the European Pirate Party seems well set to make its mark on European politics.

Whilst the Meshed team found the Party launch to be lacking a certain focus and sense of historicity, the fact of the event itself is encouraging. Representing a commitment to organisation and co-operation between the various groups that come under the Pirate banner, the founding of this pan-European body represents the beginning of a new political dynamic for the continent’s geeks. Read Alexandra’s full write up at ComputerWorldUK.