Djukanovic defeated after thrilling election battle
In Montenegro, voters went to the polls last Sunday. It was an exciting election day, as the opposition coalition 'For the Future of Montenegro' was neck-and-neck with the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which has been in power for 30 years. For voters, it was a choice between this pro-European party in power and the pro-Serbian and Russian opposition coalition. 75.9% of registered voters cast their vote, the highest turnout Montenegro has ever had since the introduction of the current electoral system. There was confusion after the first exit polls, as the DPS and the opposition coalition said: that they had gained enough seats in parliament to form the next government. In the end, the opposition coalition along with other opposition parties turned out to have enough seats to form a new majority.
In conversation with experts on Climate Justice
Last week, Monday 29 June, together with our European partner FEPS, we organised an expert meeting on our new joint research Climate Justice: African perspectives. With a group of some 20 experts from home and abroad, we discussed priorities when it comes to fair climate policies with regard to African countries. It was a very useful and instructive afternoon with very useful input for the rest of the research. Once again, we would like to thank all participants for their contributions!
Political Leadership (series) part 2: types of leaders
The elections in the Netherlands are approaching. 17 March 2021 is the date. The FMS is conducting training courses in many countries. Political leadership is an important topic. What is involved in leadership? This series covers various aspects of it.
By Arjen Berkvens, director FMS
Political leadership (series) part 1: struggle
The elections in the Netherlands are approaching. 17 March 2021 is the date. The FMS is conducting training courses in many countries. Political leadership is an important topic. What is involved in leadership? This series covers various aspects of it.
By Arjen Berkvens, director FMS
Step towards a fair tax policy
Since the financial crisis, countries have been cooperating more and more effectively to combat tax evasion. Meanwhile, this cooperation between countries extends beyond the OECD countries. 130 countries are now working together, within the Inclusive Framework, to combat tax evasion. Recently (29 May 2020), State Secretary of Finance Vijlbrief sent the new Fiscal Treaty Policy Memorandum 2020 (NFV) to the Lower House. The NFV sets out the Dutch negotiating position on bilateral tax treaties. It is positive that more attention is being paid to the position of developing countries in such treaties, but a critical eye is still required.
Vucic party wins elections Serbia
Vucic, who was prime minister before becoming president in 2017, is drawing more and more power to himself in Serbia. In the controversial parliamentary elections, which took place on Sunday 21 July, his right-wing populist party, the Serbian Progressive Party (SPS) triumphed in dubious fashion.
What do African migrants themselves want? Time for a sober and effective approach
Billions are being invested to keep migrants and potential migrants in Africa. Whether this has any results is unclear. People continue to take the often life-threatening routes at great risk to build an insecure existence here. It is time to invest in things Africans really need. Let's do that by talking to them and to Africans already in the EU, rather than about them. Migration is of all times. Time for a sober and effective approach.
Building a new narrative on migration including African perspectives
Are EU responses focusing on tackling the 'root causes' of migration effective? Are they sufficient? And how can we improve those migration policies? Last Tuesday, 18 February, we presented our newest report Migration: African perspectives. This report, in cooperation with our partner Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), shows how crucial it is to include African perspectives when discussing migration policies. As was mentioned during the presentation in Brussels: "We should not talk about Africans, but speak with them".
Rich pay less and less tax: and why that contributes to rising inequality
This is one of the main conclusions in Oxfam Novib's "Time to Care" report released today: the number of billionaires has doubled in the last decade, but at the same time the super-rich and multinationals are paying less and less tax. No wonder global inequality has increased. Over 2,000 billionaires in the world are collectively richer than 60% of the world's population, 4.6 billion people. And unfortunately, as a tax haven, the Netherlands plays a bad role in this.
Will you come and do an internship with us?
We are looking for new interns again! Are you looking for an internship in an international, political environment? Then read on quickly.