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NL The sparks of hope from Péter Magyar's revolution
A revolution has occurred in Hungary: after 16 years, Viktor Orbán's illiberal autocracy has been swept away by a resounding electoral victory by Péter Magyar. Magyar is not a shining example for European progressives. He is also certainly not the pro-European, pro-Ukrainian revolutionary that many would like to see in him. In many ways, Péter Magyar is mostly the right [...]
It ain't easy going green, part 2: Albania
This series is written in collaboration with International Foundation GroenLinks (IFG). EU enlargement is back on the agenda. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and amid growing uncertainty about the United States’ role in Europe, EU leaders have increasingly stressed the need to expand the Union. Closer cooperation with countries in Eastern Europe [...]
Life in Occupied Ukraine: Untold Stories
What is it like to live in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine? That is the subject of the newly published book by journalist Ardy Beld, who spoke to former prisoners of war, refugees, collaborators, resistance fighters and abducted children. Currently, Russia controls some 20% of Ukrainian territory, mainly in the region [...]
It ain't easy going green, part 1: Montenegro
This series is written in collaboration with International Foundation GroenLinks (IFG). EU enlargement is back on the agenda. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and amid growing uncertainty about the United States’ role in Europe, EU leaders have increasingly stressed the need to expand the Union. Closer cooperation with countries in Eastern Europe [...]
Von der Leyen's self-interested thinking is a danger to everything Europe stands for
What does Europe stand for in the world? It is a question that seems increasingly and increasingly difficult to answer. The identity crisis our continent is caught up in is becoming increasingly visible in the foreign policy of European countries and EU institutions. Previously self-evident principles, such as protecting and upholding international law and promoting [...]
The Bukele model: an export product of democratic erosion
In an increasing number of Latin American countries, one political promise currently seems to sell best: security above all else. In practice, that also seems to mean security at all costs - including the rule of law, human rights, international cooperation and institutions. Since his election in 2019 (and re-election in 2024), Nayib Bukele has been positioning himself as the [...]
Diploma ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine Programme
The online graduation ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine Programme, organised within the Open Progressive University (OPU), took place this week at the European Parliament in Brussels. The ceremony was organised by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in cooperation with the S&D Group in the European Parliament and the Max van der Stoel Foundation (FMS). [...]
Time to win a battle in the fight for democratisation
Image: WOS Time to win a battle in the fight for democratisation As campaign signs colour the streets ahead of the 18 March municipal elections, local democracy is under pressure. Not only because of aggression and intimidation, but also because of a national politics that throws oil on the fire and abandons administrators. [...]
Ukraine after four years of war: “We need new arguments”
This article is also available in English. Tomorrow, four years will have passed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. What began as a shock in February 2022 has turned into a protracted and exhausting reality - for Ukrainians, but also for Europeans. While European governments have consistently continued financial and military support, it seems [...]
What's going on between Damascus and the Kurds in Rojava
Source: Macondo In recent weeks, people around the world have taken to the streets to protest for the rights and autonomy of the Kurdish people in northeastern Syria, known as Rojava. In cities such as London, Berlin and Amsterdam, demonstrators filled squares and streets to call on internationals to address the growing pressure [...]