News
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"
Ana Mendes
For the third time in four years, general elections have been called in Portugal. This time the elections follow a confidence motion tabled by Montenegro's right-wing government (PSD-CDS), which they lost. This is not merely further evidence of the instability and institutional crisis into which the right and the liberal centre are plunging the country, but specifically reveals the prime minister's desperate maneuvers to conceal his private business dealings. Indeed, the confidence motion — never likely to be won by a minority government in a polarized parliament ...
read more "Snap elections in Portugal"
read more "Snap elections in Portugal"
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/ABACAPRESS
The verdict against Marine Le Pen sends shockwaves around Europe–and is a powerful message against corruption and the abuse of power.
The prominent French nationalist Marine Le Pen was today found guilty by the Paris Criminal Court of embezzling public funds. Specifically, Le Pen was accused of misappropriating resources from the European Parliament to pay party staff in France. Around 20 individuals from her close circle were also convicted, including eight Members of the European Parliament. The political impact is seismic: the frontrunner for the 2027 ...
read more "Head Bowed, Hands Dirty"
read more "Head Bowed, Hands Dirty"
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"
IMAGO/Ritzau Scanpix
Caught between a Danish colonial past and threats from Donald Trump’s US, Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) will hold elections to its parliament, the Inatsisartut, today, on March 11. Greenland’s political status within the Kingdom of Denmark is difficult to explain, especially to those who are not from Denmark or its Northern Atlantic territories. Yet, understanding this dynamic is crucial to grasping what is at stake in Greenland’s elections.
“Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark,” states Wikipedia—a ...
read more "Greenland: “It’s the white man—send him home!”"
read more "Greenland: “It’s the white man—send him home!”"