Aufmacher
Rafael Medeiros
Early parliamentary elections were held in Portugal on Sunday, called after a motion of no confidence in Montenegro's right-wing government (PSD-CDS) had been filed and rejected. The underlying reason for this motion of no confidence had to do with the prime minister’s legal and ethical fitness for office. Montenegro was caught up in a tangled web of interests and was threatened with a parliamentary inquiry (CPI) to investigate whether he kept an ongoing consultancy business registered at his home, receiving payments from companies through that ...
read more "Once Upon a Time There was a Country…"
read more "Once Upon a Time There was a Country…"
IMAGO/NurPhoto
Germany’s new government will exacerbate social conflicts over wealth distribution, the climate crisis, and state repression.
In light of the global rise of the far right, the latest iteration of a grand coalition between the conservatives (CDU/CSU, or “the Union”) and Social Democrats (SPD) in Germany appears to be a last contingent for the preservation of the status quo. With both major parties combined barely representing no more than 45 percent of the votes cast, there is no longer anything “grand” about this coalition. In fact, one could not ...
read more "The Status Quo’s Last Stand"
read more "The Status Quo’s Last Stand"
IMAGO/ABACAPRESS
Why Le Pen’s games are a danger to democracy
Like all right-wing extremist parties, the National Rally (Rassemblement National – RN) styles itself as an “anti-establishment” movement fighting against an allegedly corrupt and self-serving political elite. However, when it comes to their own financial interests, either individual or party-wide, they exempt themselves from these high moral standards. This is certainly the case with the most recent verdict against Marine Le Pen, and her allies’ reactions to it. Throughout the trial the RN ...
read more "From far-right firebrand to playing the victim"
read more "From far-right firebrand to playing the victim"
IMAGO/Stefano Montesi
Within the space of a few weeks, sensational announcements for rearming Europe have multiplied and fine proclamations in favour of peace and international law were made. Behind the scenes, however, the picture is less glorious: between the exacerbation of the global arms race and the defence of our contested hegemony, the militarisation of the EU is also a threat to peace and human security.
On 4 March Ursula von der Leyen presented the REARM Europe plan, on the eve of an emergency European summit conveyed to discuss defence and ...
read more "ReArm Europe, or the myth of a European defence for peace"
read more "ReArm Europe, or the myth of a European defence for peace"
Sophia Thoenes
As the new government targets pensions and workers’ rights, Belgian unions are showing Europe how to fight back
Formed after months of political deadlock, Belgium’s new government led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever presents itself as a force of stability in an era of economic and social uncertainty. The so-called “Arizona coalition”, named as such for the colours of its liberal, Christian Democrat, and Flemish nationalist components, promises citizens fiscal discipline and economic recovery. Yet from its inception, its true agenda has been one that risks ...
read more "Bend It Like Belgium?"
read more "Bend It Like Belgium?"
imago/ZUMA Press
One could be forgiven for having missed the creation of the European Left Alliance (ELA) late last year. Comprised of six parties (La France Insoumise, Podemos, the Portuguese Left Bloc, the Finnish Left Alliance, the Swedish Left Party, and the Danish Green-Left Alliance), ELA will now be the second Europarty of the radical Left aside from the existing European Left Party (EL) founded in 2004.
The creation of a separate party with a nearly identical name was justified by one of its leading figures, Manon Aubry, as needing “a party ...
read more "The European Left Alliance: New Project, Old Problems?"
read more "The European Left Alliance: New Project, Old Problems?"
IMAGO/Belga
How the European Commission’s so-called “Clean Industrial Deal” fails to live up to its name
Is a strategy for climate-friendly industry in Europe really credible if it barely receives any funding and is accompanied by the loosening of already weak sustainability rules for imported goods? The EU Commission must ask itself this question after its 26 February 2025 presentation of the Clean Industrial Deal (CID), its much-touted package of measures for a more climate-friendly industry.
Indeed, the lack of funds for restructuring is not the ...
read more "An EU Investment Package for Clean Industry?"
read more "An EU Investment Package for Clean Industry?"
IMAGO/TT
In northern Sweden, the rapid expansion of green industries is transforming the region—but at what cost? As billions are invested in new mines, battery factories, and wind farms—investments are expected to reach 1,400 billion SEK (€120 billion) by 2040—local communities are caught between promises of economic prosperity and the pressures of environmental and social change. Driving this boom is the global race for minerals essential to the energy transition—rare earth metals, lithium, and other critical resources that ...
read more "Sweden’s “Green Transition”: Opportunities and Challenges"
read more "Sweden’s “Green Transition”: Opportunities and Challenges"
European Coordination Via Campesina
As the European Union moves toward the next phase of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2027-2034, questions about market regulation, food sovereignty, and sustainability have never been more urgent. The International Conference of Researchers and Farmers, held on March 3-4, 2025, in Brussels, brought together key actors from across the international food system—farmers, researchers, and policymakers—to tackle these pressing issues.
Against the backdrop of climate change, rising ...
read more "Rethinking Agricultural Markets: Insights from the International Conference of Researchers and Farmers"
read more "Rethinking Agricultural Markets: Insights from the International Conference of Researchers and Farmers"
IMAGO/Ritzau Scanpix
Tuesday’s election to the Inatsisartut – the parliament of Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) – resulted in resounding defeat for the country’s left wing government parties and a landslide victory for liberal party Demokraatit. At the time of writing, many questions remain unanswered about who will form government and how the result will affect Greenland’s path to independence.
Enjoying a swing of over 21 percent, Demokraatit obtained 29.9 percent of all votes cast – more than three times their result in Greenland’s...
read more "Greenland: Parliamentary elections deal blow to left wing government"
read more "Greenland: Parliamentary elections deal blow to left wing government"