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NL It is five to 12 for Moldova
On 8 and 9 February, we organised a fact-finding mission to Moldova. In Europe's poorest country struggling with massive corruption, an ongoing conflict between the president and parliament, and a divided population , parliamentary elections are scheduled this autumn. The elections will show whether the pro-Russian president will be able to consolidate his power by winning a majority in parliament, or whether the pro-European parties can convince voters to give them a little longer to implement promised reforms and improvements. So the stakes are quite high, while faith in politics has been declining for years and the popularity ratings of some leading politicians are running into the single digits.
Will Chameria be the next Balkan conflict?
On Tuesday, 6 February 2018, the European Commission presented the European Union's enlargement strategy with the Western Balkan countries. The Commission has now prepared an outline with a directive for possible accession of these six countries.
EU's New Enlargement Strategy: Change of Tone
On the 6th of February the European Commission presented its long awaited enlargement strategy for the Western Balkans. Since the State of the Union of European Commission President J.C. Juncker last year, there was a growing momentum for a clearer prospect for accession of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania to the Union.
Presidential elections put further pressure on human rights Egypt
"Combating terrorism is a human right, a new right that I am adding to human rights in Egypt." With these words, President Sisi of Egypt defends his repressive policies. In the run-up to the presidential elections, the situation is deteriorating by the day. Political activists are threatened, tried and imprisoned. Many of them face years in prison or even the death penalty. Sisi is pursuing this offensive policy to, he says, arm the country against terrorism. The price paid for this is high, too high. Freedom of expression, association and information are curtailed time and again, and any opposition is crushed.
Back to the '90s: Serbian politician assassinated in Kosovo
On 16 January, Oliver Ivanović, the main Serbian opposition leader in Kosovo, was shot dead in front of his office. Contrary to reports in some media, this murder most likely had nothing to do with ethnic divisions in Kosovo. Three months ago, I was part of a small European Forum delegation visiting Kosovo and we spoke to Ivanović at his office about the challenges facing Kosovo in the run-up to local elections. How can such an assassination take place in a de facto EU protectorate where European military, judges and officials are supposed to provide security and help build democracy and the rule of law?
Moroccan Unified Socialist Party holds first party congress in seven years
Sunny Rabat and Bouznika were the setting for the fourth party congress of the Unified Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste Unifié, PSU) from 19 to 21 January. An important congress, as it voted on the party's direction and the leadership of Nabila Mounib, the only female party leader in the Arab world. The Max van der Stoel Foundation has been organising training courses for activists and politicians of this leftist and progressive Moroccan party for just under a decade.
