The French Election and Europe’s Future
A lot can happen between now and the second round of the French presidential election on May 7, so it is still too early to
Politics
Analysis and debate on European and national politics, democracy, the rule of law, parties and elections, and Europe’s place in the world.
Four Key Features Of Emerging ‘Trumpism’
While international opinion polls recorded uniformly negative reactions to Donald Trump’s election, the markets reacted positively, except for a few hiccups mostly caused by Trump-generated
Macron’s Mission
The centrist Emmanuel Macron’s success in the first round of the French presidential election is likely to re-energize Europe. Unlike the other candidates, Macron does
EU Needs Fair Work-life Balance
When the nuts and bolts of the long-awaited European Pillar of Social Rights are unveiled at the end of April, the European Commission will at
The Politics Of Nostalgia
Western democracies are facing a new threat: pessimism. Recent surveys reveal that 65 percent of Europeans and North Americans think the world is getting worse
Is There A Future For Social Democracy In Europe?
The response to the Great Recession from European social democratic/centre-left parties, with some notable exceptions like Portugal’s, was largely to implement the austerity policies of
How do Progressives Fight Back Against Populism?
In recent years, the European Union has suffered through a cascading set of crises, including the Eurozone crisis, the refugee crisis, the security crisis, and
Illiberal Stagnation
Today, a quarter-century after the Cold War’s end, the West and Russia are again at odds. This time, though, at least on one side, the
Europe’s Illiberal Establishment
On March 25, Europe’s leaders convened in the birthplace of the “European project” to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. But what
Brexit Creates Window Of Opportunities For The EU
The British government has officially started the “divorce” procedure from the European Union. This procedure must be completed within two years. In April 2019 the
Spineless Social Democracy
Of all social democratic parties in Europe none has fared worse at the polls of late than Iceland’s Social Democratic Alliance. Whereas in the parliamentary
After The Rome Declaration: A Union – Not A State
As was predictable, the Rome Declaration of 25 March 2017 (for the sixtieth anniversary of the Rome Treaties) ended up in an ambiguous compromise. Even
The Sixth Way: Devolution
The EU is confronted with its inability to solve successive crises. It is facing increasing unpopularity, culminating in the Brexit decision. While the EU is
A Brexit Bonanza For Irish Smugglers And Paramilitaries?
Promises from British Brexiteers of a soft border in Ireland are almost worthless. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has other priorities. Anyway, it depends on
Good Society: What Needs To Be Done
Trump, Brexit, Le Pen. Right-wing populist revolts are shaking the liberal order. Progressives, however, lack the strength to rein in global capitalism, break the neoliberal
Taxing The Robots?
The idea of a tax on robots was raised last May in a draft report to the European Parliament prepared by MEP Mady Delvaux from