Two battles over the meaning of democracy are now playing out in Europe. We look at the political power maneuvers this week in Britain and Italy. Guest: Katrin Bennhold, the Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.

Background coverage:

• Facing a furious backlash over his decision to suspend Parliament next month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain promised to speed up Brexit negotiations with Brussels.
• In Italy, two political parties that had been sworn political enemies struck a deal to form a new government that sidelined Matteo Salvini, the hard-right leader.
• Listen to “The Battle for Europe,” a series from “The Daily” with Katrin Bennhold about the future of liberal democracy in the European Union.