George Orwell and Europe’s new normal
Marine Le Pen’s far-right party has won the electoral first round in France. Welcome to a Europe Orwell would have recognised.
Politics
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on political issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
After the Euro-elections: a trade-union agenda
Good jobs and responsible investments are essential among the EU’s new political priorities.
Ukraine: Putin’s ‘reality’ … and the real world
A proposal for a ceasefire from Ukraine would not only stem the bloodshed but allow it to win the peace.
Italy: a ‘post-fascist’ assault on democratic checks
The Meloni government in Italy is betting everything on radical and polarising constitutional reforms.
France, Europe and another election
French voters may have been recalled for a snap domestic election—but the underlying trends have been decades in the making.
Populists back Putin with anti-Ukraine positions
Vladimir Putin looks to be a big winner from the far-right surge in the recent European Parliament elections.
After Russia, Europe must wake up to China too
Europe’s real problem with China is not electric vehicles. It is the elemental vehemence of the Chinese Communist Party.
American business will regret writing off democracy
By endorsing Donald Trump’s run for the US presidency, business leaders are embracing a man with only contempt for the law.
European elections: political squalls ahead
The shift in the centre of gravity of the European Parliament could make for a fractious next term.
Euro-elections demand progress, not prevarication
The far-right challenge in the European elections was overblown. Just transition, rather than rowing back, is the answer.
Myanmar: award for exiled trade-union leader
This is the author's acceptance speech, receiving the the Arthur Svensson Prize to promote trade-union rights in Oslo.
The European elections: the right lessons to learn
There remains a democratic majority in the European Parliament to tackle the economic and social insecurity fuelling populism.
What the Indian election result means for Europe
The jolt for Narendra Modi, Jayati Ghosh writes, should also make western leaders look in the mirror.
Twenty-four points for social democracy
Anchored in classical social-democratic politics, the SPÖ’s vision for Austria offers signposts for the European political family.
Will the young save Europe from the rise of the far right?
A generation defined by economic insecurity is grabbing for a guardrail, not engaging for emancipation.
European elections: beware the ‘little man’ sorcerers
European workers enjoy more social support than five years ago but the far right and strict austerity are looming threats.
European elections: ghosts of the past
The elections might see not only gains for the right-wing populists but also, Robert Misik warns, a relapse into austerity.