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NL Press freedom and resilience: how do we keep democracy strong in the digital age?
This article is a collaboration between Foundation Max van der Stoel (Martha Elias) and International Foundation Groenlinks (Yesmin Ayadhi). According to the latest RSF index, global press freedom is at a low point in the past 25 years. Even in countries that score relatively high, such as the Netherlands which ranks second, the question is how much [...]
Europe can no longer afford a moderate tone on Serbia
This piece was also published as an opinion piece together with Holandija Dijaspora in De Volkskrant on 29 May 2026. Last Saturday, on 24 May, one of the biggest demonstrations in Serbia's modern history took place. The demonstration was led by the student movement, which, since the Novi train station disaster [...]
Vita Kovalenko: From Maidan to the Dordrecht City Council
Kido Koenig (l) and Vita Kovalenko (r) with her book “Truth Under Fire” In 2007, Vita Kovalenko came to the Netherlands, but it was not until 2014 that her social engagement with Ukraine really took shape. The spark struck during the Maidan protests in Kyiv, which she followed via livestreams from her workplace in the Netherlands. “It [...]
Romanian cabinet collapse: PSD breaks with pro-European government through collaboration with far-right
Last week, Romania's centrist, pro-European government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan fell after just 10 months. The cabinet fall caused much consternation both within the country and across the border: Bolojan's government was pawed by a vote of no confidence passed in parliament, which stemmed from a [...]
Global Progressive Mobilisation in Barcelona: the pride of Sánchez
Of the many photos circulating from the huge congress in Barcelona, one that I took myself caught my eye and first thought was a failure. Pedro Sánchez was just on stage for his closing speech and had his eyes closed. On reflection, this very photo stood out: it radiates [...]
It ain't easy going green, part 3: Ukraine
EU enlargement is back on the agenda. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and following 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 and the Western Balkans is seen as important for the continent's security and [...]
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 [...]