Yes. It is a big problem for Europe. I don't expect that it will be fixed in the foreseeable future. In fact, it is being made worse in many ways.

You may reference and quote journal articles. That's something I expect will stay allowed.

You can see how trully Freedom-loving mainstream Liberal parties are, even in Europe, by looking at the domains were Freedom Of Ideas clashes with Ideas As Property such as science publishing: almost all of those "Liberal" mainstream parties side with the Owner Class in expanding and increasing enforcement of the "though shall not share without paying" Intellectual Property laws that let some make money of something they are only able to own due to such laws (those laws are literally anti-natura in that ideas are naturally shared), rather than with the natural freedom of sharing.

The way States support and impose Intellectual Property is really just a facet of the broader societal problem of politics in Capitalist nations (even those disguised as "Democracy") not really working for the many.

Many places in Europe are wonderful. Generally speaking I think you're quite fine when it comes to LGBT rights, especially in the Western countries, and metros and public transportation in general are commonplace, but I wouldn't expect free internet and freedom of expression to be around in a handful years.

Yes. Belgium just implements laws here. The law is wrong but it's imposed from the top. Blame the very concept of "intellectual property"

I guess Yuri is good for now. Just don't get your hopes to high, 2027 election will be a weird ride I guess

Only half of the country is below sea level tbf