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NL Two months after parliament was suspended, Tunisian democracy rattles on all sides
On 25 July in Tunisia, the president dissolved parliament and dismissed the prime minister. Now, two months later, there is still no parliament or prime minister. Tunisian democracy is under increasing tension. Meanwhile, protests have broken out in the capital Tunis against the seizure of power and criticism from abroad is growing. Despite the growing criticism, President Kais Saied seems unwilling to rebuild the old system with a new prime minister and parliament, and is maintaining a state of emergency. Critics say this is the beginning of an autocratic system, and the end of Tunisia's fledgling democracy.
Armenia and Azerbaijan challenge each other in front of the International Court of Justice
The long standing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered a new stage now that the countries are challenging each other in front of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). On the 16th of September 2021, Armenia started proceedings against Azerbaijan in front of the ICJ alleging a breach of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). According to a statement of the ICJ, Armenia argues that "For decades, Azerbaijan has subjected Armenians to racial discrimination" and that, "as a result of this State-sponsored policy of Armenian hatred, Armenians have been subjected to systemic discrimination, mass killings, torture and other abuse". Armenia and Azerbaijan are both signatories to the CERD.
Policy coherence: Still not a central part of the 2022 state budget
Last Tuesday was Budget Day, the day when the Cabinet traditionally presents the budget for the next year. Due to its caretaker status, the Cabinet was forced to present a policy-poor budget. This was not only reflected in the speech from the throne full of hollow words, but also reflected in the budget for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (BHOS), where the 0.7% norm, the spending of 0.7% of GNI on development cooperation, is once again not met and remains stuck at 0.53%.
Lebanon: a year after the Beirut explosion, still at the edge of the ravine
It is exactly a year today since Beirut was rocked by one of the heaviest non-nuclear explosions ever. And still the Lebanese people have not received answers to the most basic questions: Why were 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in the port of a world capital? Who owned the explosives? And who knew about their presence in the port storage facility? The chief investigator of the Lebanese prosecution had been sacked shortly before the disaster, so a new one had to be appointed hastily. It was soon crystal clear to this investigator that the investigation should also focus on the responsibility of high-ranking officials and politicians. Fully in line with the expectations of many Lebanese - who have lost any shred of trust in the ruling class - this investigator too was dismissed, as he threatened the position of (members of the) Lebanese elite. It typifies the Lebanese system steeped in corruption and nepotism. While the country is still recovering from a disastrous explosion, it now seems to be facing an imminent implosion. What the distance is between today's Lebanon and that deep ravine is the question for many - but one fears it will not be much. The country is in a deep political crisis, to which economic, financial and social crises have also been added in recent years.
Jaron Liplijn bids farewell to the FMS after nearly five years
After working at FMS for five years, Jaron Liplijn decided it was time for a new adventure in the Spanish sun. This summer he is swapping Amsterdam for Valencia. Of course, we cannot let his departure go by without asking how he experienced the past 5 years at FMS.
Justice in Romania: Will the country remain under EU control?
Since joining the EU in 2007, Romania has been under increased scrutiny by the European Commission. This is done with the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. Bulgaria was also subject to this until 2019, until the Commission thought enough was enough. Neighbouring Romania was on the right track, then took an odd turn, but now seems to be back on a better track. This is evident from two recent signals.
'Lobby & Advocacy' intern: Jarne
My name is Jarne van der Poel, and I am a 22-year-old master's student in Utrecht. While studying History of Politics and Society, I study the historical roots of today's political and social issues. The answer to those challenges is international solidarity and sustainable development - an answer we do not always see in current Dutch politics.
'Communications & Research' intern: Tirza
My name is Tirza van Willigenburg, I am 23 years old and am currently doing an internship at the FMS as a communications & research intern. I am in the final year of my European Studies study at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, which happens to be next door to the FMS office. European Studies is a broad study in which international cooperation is an important topic. As soon as I saw the internship at the FMS come along, I thought it would be a good opportunity to further develop my interest in international cooperation and gain more experience.
'Democracy' intern: Max
My name is Max Landheer and I am a 22-year-old master's student at Utrecht University. Before starting my master's in International Relations in Historical Perspectives, I studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the Free University. During my bachelor's and master's, I was much engaged in European integration. Specifically, I also find European enlargement, democratisation and the influence of economic interests within international politics particularly interesting topics. This is why I have enjoyed working as a 'Democracy' intern for the Max van der Stoel Foundation (FMS) over the past few months.
New government squabbles, results stall
Progressive Romanians had hoped some things would change after the December 2020 elections. Less nepotism and empty promises, more follow-through. Those hopes have so far proved vain.
