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NL 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 [...]
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 [...]