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Avatar photoMaria Skóra

Dr Maria Skóra is a researcher and political analyst in Berlin. At the Institut für Europäische Politik, she analysing rule-of-law developments in the European Union. She is also a policy fellow at the think-tank Das Progressive Zentrum, hosting the annual Progressive Governance Summit.

Elections of division: Can unity still win?

Maria Skóra

With 2024’s elections stoking deep divides, societies worldwide are asking if we can still bridge our differences.

Poland’s historic election: democracy won

Maria Skóra

With the progressive bloc likely to replace the populists in power, the relics of the latter and a polarised society will remain challenging.

Where is Poland heading, with elections looming?

Maria Skóra

Amid huge demonstrations against the populist government, buffeted by legal challenges, the stakes could not be higher.

The paradox of Polish migration policy

Maria Skóra

Poland has opened its border with Ukraine to war refugees. Not so at another border, with Belarus.

A tale of loss and hope: what can we learn from Poland?

Maria Skóra

Poland’s ruling nationalists aren’t having it all their own way. The opposition needs more external recognition.

Poland’s abortion protests—democratic standards at stake

Maria Skóra

The passion behind the demonstrations signifies a battle for basic democratic standards in a world of creeping authoritarian temptations.

Poles apart—the presidential election in Poland

Maria Skóra

The presidential election in Poland was an intolerant affair—and the argument isn’t over yet.

The parliamentary election in Poland—the future at stake

Maria Skóra

Whether the coming election in Poland will consolidate the monopoly of the national-conservative PiS or favour a more pluralist balance of power, it will have a significant impact on Polish political culture.

Politics in Poland: eternal duopoly or refreshing breeze?

Maria Skóra

While the European Parliament elections near, politics in Poland is at such a crux that the later parliamentary polls there will have wide reverberations.

Europe’s Outcast: Cautioning Poland On The Rule Of Law

Maria Skóra

For years Poland was depicted as a success story in the great transformation of Central and Eastern Europe. A democratic system was built swiftly, with

Abortion Turmoil In Poland: Trading Women’s Rights For Political Goals

Maria Skóra

In summarizing the results of last year’s parliamentary elections in Poland I briefly mentioned that “the rule of Catholic conservatives might stand in opposition to

How The Refugee Crisis Splits The European Social Democrats Between West And East

Maria Skóra

The refugee crisis has exposed cracks in the EU’s political foundations. Failure to agree over how to implement refugee quotas and inability to coordinate humanitarian

Turning The Tables: Poland’s New Government And Europe

Maria Skóra

Last Sunday’s election results left some Poles devastated, but others seem to be if not hopeful, then relieved. The massive victory of the conservative Law

Willy Brandt’s Forgotten Ostpolitik

Maria Skóra

Recently I have had the great pleasure of participating in an event commemorating what would have been Willy Brandt’s 100th birthday in Berlin. During the

ETUI advertisement

HESA Magazine Cover

Here comes the sun - The formal transposition and political impact of the European Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in the EU

This new ETUI report examines both how Member States have formally transposed the Directive into national law and its broader political impact, particularly how it has shaped national debates and policy agendas on minimum wages and collective bargaining.

READ HERE

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Mental Health
Eurofound Talks: The housing struggles of Europe's youth

The generational housing crisis is the focus of the most recent episode of Eurofound Talks. The discussion highlights the pervasive challenge of rising property prices across the European Union which have surged by over 55% since 2010, while rents have followed a similarly aggressive upward trajectory. From the rise of boomerang children to the role of the new European Commissioner for Housing, this episode examines how to restore affordability for a generation.
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The Great Unravelling

Read the book "The Great Unravelling"

The book "The Great Unravelling", edited by Patrick Diamond and Ania Skrzypek, delves into the impact of growing economic interdependence, free trade and technological change, which has led to new forms of political polarisation that seek to capitalise on and exploit the resentments fuelled by the rise of globalisation.
Featuring a stellar line-up of policymakers, experts and academics, the book assesses whether a viable compromise between globalisation and social progress remains achievable.

READ HERE

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WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

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Social Europe

The European Employment and Social Rights Forum was back in Brussels and online on 3-4 March 2026

This year’s edition addressed the EU’s response to the challenges many people face today: the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and changes in the labour market. Opinion leaders, policymakers, businesses, academics and civil society are invited to explore bold ideas to support Europe’s greatest strength: its people.

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Health

🇪🇺 Building a Resilient, Equitable EU Health Union: The S&D Blueprint


From securing pharmaceutical autonomy and guaranteeing universal access to care (the European Health Guarantee) to combatting non-communicable diseases and closing the Gender Health Gap. Read the S&D Group in the European Parliament Position Paper demanding that health becomes a priority across all EU policies.

READ THE POSITION PAPER

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