We need a strong and more unified European Union
In recent years I have been asked a lot why I chose to stay in Hungary, why I entered politics and why I did not pursue a career abroad like many of my compatriots. Indeed, I could have a more comfortable life full of opportunities far away from the poisonous political climate of Hungary. I…
Poland’s ruling party likely set for victory in parliamentary election
Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) looks set for a comfortable victory in the country’s parliamentary election, which takes place on October 13. Final opinion polls see the party winning around 47 per cent of the vote, 18 per cent more than the main opposition grouping, Civic Coalition.“I do not expect any surprises, and…
North Macedonia’s PM calls early election after EU delays membership talks
The prime minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, has called a snap parliamentary election following the decision by EU leaders to once again delay opening membership talks with his country and neighbouring Albania.Mr Zaev had previously said that he would resign after EU member states failed to endorse the recommendation of the European Commission to…
Emerging Europe’s new political fault-lines are the same as those in Western Europe – and this is a good sign
Clichés about Central and Eastern Europe are probably as common in the press as jokes in Boris Johnson’s speeches. And although their repertoire might look repetitive to many, their themes actually vary over time. Thus, the image of the Polish plumber invading Western Europe and lowering hard-working westerners’ wages, although still commonplace in much of…
The year in emerging Europe
We started the year with a bang, proclaiming Romania, then led by prime minister Viorica Dancila, unready to take on the presidency of the Council of the European Union.It earned us the opprobrium of the country’s ruling Social Democratic party (PSD), who demanded we publish a right to reply. We politely refused, instead asking for…
TurkStream begins pumping Russian gas to Bulgaria, bypassing Ukraine
As dawn broke on New Year’s Day, Bulgaria began taking delivery of Russian natural gas via the TurkStream pipeline.The country’s energy minister, Tememoujka Petkova, has claimed that the move will save Bulgaria tens of millions of euros per year in fees by avoiding transit through Ukraine and Romania.“We are changing the entry point for gas supplies…
Why are judges from across Europe protesting in Poland?
Judges from at least 14 European countries will march in Warsaw on January 11 in defence of the rule of law in Poland, as the Polish Senate considers a law which would significantly erode judicial independence.Judges are expected to join the march from the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, France, Italy, Norway,…
Serbia’s campaign to reduce the number of countries which recognise Kosovo is working
It’s been nearly two years since a UN member state (Barbados, in February 2018) last recognised Kosovo as an independent country. In that time, 13 countries which had previously recognised the former Serb province revoked their recognition: many as a result of a concerted, global Serb campaign to undermine Kosovo’s independence.While the states which have…
Emerging Europe still has much work to do to improve LGBTI rights, but it’s not all bad news
Amid rising hate speech and crime, vulnerable people across Europe – particularly in the east of the continent – find themselves disconnected from the popular story of the region’s success in securing LGBTI rights, a major new human rights review has found.The 10th edition of the ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review details the human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual,…
Europe’s relationship with Turkey must go beyond trade
Our commitment to security in the wider Middle East means Western allies need to be more positive in dealing with Turkey, on the frontline of instability but short of reliable friends. Turkey was at the table at the Berlin conference on Libya which highlighted the latest concern of the powers. But Turkey’s immediate neighbour, Iran,…