George Soros’ Open Society Foundations NGO is set to close down a significant portion of its operations based in the European Union (EU) and redirect its resources towards other parts of the world, according to an internal email cited by Reuters. While the specific locations where Soros will focus his efforts remain unknown, in recent years he has been advocating for regime change in China.
The internal email reportedly informed employees that the approved strategic direction of the Open Society Foundations would result in the withdrawal and termination of a large part of its current work within the EU. The resources will instead be allocated to other regions globally. A spokesperson for the NGO stated that although the EU operations will be scaled back, some grants will still be provided to national-level foundations in countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, and the western Balkans. The spokesperson added that the scale of these grants will be determined in the coming months.
George Soros is predominantly known in the EU for funding organizations that support immigration and LGBTQ rights. However, these activities have led to demonization and criticism of Soros in his home country of Hungary. In response, the NGO relocated its Budapest headquarters to Berlin in 2018 following the implementation of Hungary’s “Stop Soros” law, which criminalizes the assistance provided by foreign organizations to illegal immigrants.
Soros has been increasingly vocal in his criticisms of the Communist government in China. Last year, he called for regime change in Beijing, stating that it would be the most effective way to address the threats faced by open societies. Prior to establishing the Open Society Foundations, Soros had funded pro-Western demonstrators in China during the 1980s. However, his Chinese operations were shut down by the government after the fatal clashes between protesters and troops in Tiananmen Square in 1989. The Chinese government had accused Soros of operating as a front for the CIA.
The future direction of the NGO regarding East Asia will depend on the management of George Soros’ empire by his son, Alex Soros. In June, it was announced that Alex, aged 37, would be taking over control of the organization from his 93-year-old father. While George Soros has focused on condemning the Chinese Communist Party, Alex has directed his attention towards the Republican Party in the United States. He has expressed his intention to continue funding Democratic politicians, prosecutors, and activist groups in an effort to prevent former President Donald Trump from winning the next election.
The decision to shift the focus of the Open Society Foundations away from the EU and towards other regions of the world reflects George Soros’ evolving priorities and concerns. As a prominent and influential philanthropist, Soros has consistently utilized his resources to support causes aligned with his values. The impacts of this transition in the NGO’s operations will unfold in the coming months and may have significant implications for the regions that will receive increased support from the organization.
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