EU needs to take violence against women seriously
A clash is looming between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on including rape in a coming directive.
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.
Russia’s dangerous nuclear consensus
The war in Ukraine has raised the spectre not only of Russia’s disintegration but also of a catastrophic nuclear confrontation.
Ukraine war: 24 hours of chaos ends
The abortive Wagner Group insurrection could have significant implications for Russia's ability to react to Ukraine's counter-offensive.
After the Pegasus inquiry: watching Big Brother
The European Parliament’s inquiry on Pegasus is over; the struggle for freedom from illegitimate surveillance is not.
EU’s values should dictate an ethos of hospitality
Violations of the rights of migrants and the silencing of human-rights defenders stem from a mindset of security and control.
Europe’s moral compass, lost at sea
The Greek migrant shipwreck was another preventable tragedy at the borders of Europe.
Greek election outcome: towards a new disorder
Last month's election produced an unexpected destabilisation of the party system and triggered a repeat contest on June 25th.
Berlusconi: populist pioneer who rode Italy into the sand
Since Berlusconi’s death, the media have focused on his persona—not Berlusconism and its legacy.
ILO condemns Belarus’ violation of union rights
The International Labour Conference has taken an unprecedented step to challenge Lukashenka’s denial of freedom of association.
Where is Poland heading, with elections looming?
Amid huge demonstrations against the populist government, buffeted by legal challenges, the stakes could not be higher.
New SPÖ leader: can he stem the far-right surge?
After months of strife among Austria’s social democrats—and an election screw-up—they have a new leader.
Barcelona: a feminist municipalism now at risk
Barcelona has shown the transformative role urban municipalities can play in conjunction with local civil society.
Is Spain on the right track?
If Spaniards vote for the right next month, Spain would be yet another country in its growing European bulwark.
Exploiting every crisis: why the FPÖ is topping the polls
At the heart of the scandal that broke the right-wing coalition government in 2019, the Freedom Party is now riding high.
EU enlargement: prospects and challenges
The geopolitical impetus behind further EU enlargement meets formidable forces of inertia.
Erdoğan, ultranationalists and ‘family values’
The victorious Turkish president is likely to pursue a hardline conservative agenda with his ultranationalist allies.
Politically disengaged youth in the former eastern bloc
Young people across the eastern-EU member states believe in Europe and universal norms—but their governments turn them off.