On Iceland’s elections and the question of European Union membership. On Saturday 30 November 2024, amid a serious snowstorm, the Icelandic people went to the polls to elect a new parliament. The weather is precisely why elections normally take place in the warmer summer months in the North Atlantic country. However, the elections were much…
Between European liberal democracy and Russian imperialism. Recent elections in Georgia and Moldova resulted in mixed outcomes but illustrated a shared issue. Despite the current governments’ vocal commitments to EU memberships, the countries are far from unanimously in favour. The situations of Georgia and Moldova have stark similarities: former Soviet republics, recent EU candidate members,…
Negative nation branding as a deterrent to migration. Picture the following: you are the leader of a country. You can perhaps imagine that you want to do your best to improve your country’s reputation. After all, if others have a positive image of your country, it is more likely that investments will be made and…
A look back at Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and a look ahead to Poland’s presidency. It was feared by many: the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). Hungary holds the presidency from July 2024 to December 2024. Many voices were raised in advance to prevent this…
What is framing and how do you recognize it. We use language every day to communicate, convey messages and evoke images. Words not only carry their own meaning but are always used in a specific context. For example, think of ‘a warm welcome’ versus ‘a cold shower’. Such expressions evoke different feelings and associations. These…
Examining the challenges, critiques, and future paths for sustainable development in the Global South. Have you ever wondered how the European Union (EU) navigates its relationship with the Global South? Then this article is what you are looking for. Development policy is the EU’s primary tool for promoting sustainable growth and stability in regions historically…
The Reforms of the New Pact for Asylum and Migration. On 10 April 2024, after years of negotiations, the New Pact for Migration and Asylum was finally approved by the European Parliament. Presented as a ‘new start’ in European migration policy, this pact will enter into force in 2026. The New Pact has two main…
How can Europe prepare better for natural disasters? On Wednesday 30 October 2024, the Valencia region was hit by one of the deadliest floods in modern Spanish history. In some villages within eight hours almost 500 millimetres of rain fell – as much as the normal annual rainfall. The heavy rain turned streets into swirling…
A changing landscape in one of Europe’s largest industries. On October 4th, 2024, European Union (EU) member states made a highly debated decision regarding the European automotive industry, specifically on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The European automotive industry, accounting for over 7 per cent of the continent’s GDP, has traditionally been dominated by powerhouses from…
European Football and its soft power appeal to Oil- and gas-dependent states. The long history of the success of European club football is well-documented, with some of the biggest clubs and competitions. However, one recent phenomenon has occurred since the early 2000s: Oil and gas-dependent states investing money into European Football, with the most notable…
Recent articles
Between European liberal democracy and Russian imperialism. Recent elections in Georgia and Moldova resulted in mixed outcomes but illustrated a shared issue. Despite the current governments’ vocal commitments to EU memberships, the countries are far from unanimously in favour. The situations of Georgia and Moldova have stark similarities: former Soviet republics, recent EU candidate members,…
Negative nation branding as a deterrent to migration. Picture the following: you are the leader of a country. You can perhaps imagine that you want to do your best to improve your country’s reputation. After all, if others have a positive image of your country, it is more likely that investments will be made and…
A look back at Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the European Union and a look ahead to Poland’s presidency. It was feared by many: the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). Hungary holds the presidency from July 2024 to December 2024. Many voices were raised in advance to prevent this…
2024 European Parliament elections
How a more democratic media provision gives power back to European citizens. With some 370 million voters, the past European Parliament (EP) elections are one of the world’s largest democratic processes. Informing all these voters about the elections, relevant issues and the results is an important but difficult task. European media face problems such as…
A look back at the 2024 European Parliament elections. The new European Parliament was officially installed on 16 July 2024, after the tenth European Parliament elections took place in June. A political landslide was predicted, in which parties on the (extreme) right in particular would gain ground. The official election results have now been determined…
From an occupied territory to one of the EU’s greatest success stories. Famous for its beautiful coasts and mountainous landscapes, being one of the strongest rugby nations in the world, St. Patrick’s Day, and disliking their British neighbours, Ireland remains one of Europe’s most progressive and fast-growing nations. It is a country that boasts a…
Conflict and Defense
An overview of recent developments in European defence. The defence issue is one of the most important themes that worries both European politics and European citizens. The European Parliament elections in June 2024 showed that citizens are concerned about security and defence and that politicians are trying to provide answers to this. European politicians agree…
Shedding light on the EU’s future path towards a self-sustaining defense capacity. Defense integration could be imperative for ensuring the internal stability of the European Union (EU) in the long term. The EU has been steadily advancing its ambitions in this area over the last decade. Right now, it has the opportunity to accelerate the…
The potential impact of the Slovak elections on support for Ukraine. Following the September 2023 Slovak parliamentary elections, the European Union (EU) and Ukraine may have something to worry about. The recent Slovak parliamentary elections saw the return of Robert Fico to national office. The success of Fico and his populist left party, Smer-SSD (in…
Climate and Sustainability
How can Europe prepare better for natural disasters? On Wednesday 30 October 2024, the Valencia region was hit by one of the deadliest floods in modern Spanish history. In some villages within eight hours almost 500 millimetres of rain fell – as much as the normal annual rainfall. The heavy rain turned streets into swirling…
A changing landscape in one of Europe’s largest industries. On October 4th, 2024, European Union (EU) member states made a highly debated decision regarding the European automotive industry, specifically on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). The European automotive industry, accounting for over 7 per cent of the continent’s GDP, has traditionally been dominated by powerhouses from…
Why true conservatives are passionate climate advocates. The most fervent advocates for climate measures are progressive politicians, often with a liberal or social democratic background. Parties with climate change as raison d’être are generally post-materialistic in nature due to their strong focus on individual and idealistic values. Parallel themes for these politicians are often inequality,…