by: Jolanka Kocianova Vuong

Reading time 7 mins 20 sec

When writing Part 1 of the article, I did not place on a second article on the political climate in Slovakia. Unfortunately, the situation in Slovakia has not calmed down. It seems that things have further spiralled out of control. Slovakia experienced a coalition crisis at the beginning of the year, causing the parliament to be suspended for months, only to be solved by possible hidden bribery. Once the crisis was solved, the government was free to go on in its typical style: mismanaging an epidemic, assuring Russia of Slovakia’s support, bringing Slovakia’s cultural institutions to the verge of collapsing, and most recently building villas out of Eurofonds. The list goes on and on. Read on to find out more.

By Kristoffer Saetre and Agnese Porro

Reading time: 4:30 min 

“The era of the peace dividend is long gone. (...) Europe is ready to step up.” With these words, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Commission’s White Paper on European Defence. In a paradigm shift, the EU responds to evolving threats in the contemporary European security environment.

By Ben Rosenbaum, Reading Time: 3 minutes

Stunning, remarkable, historic…those are just some of the words used to describe the recent election results in Australia on the third of May. Against the odds, the Australian Labor Party won a second term for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in what is widely seen as a repudiation of US President Donald Trump and his ideological partners in Australia. However, can Trump alone be blamed (or thanked?) for the result?

By Gabriel Panza, 2 Minutes 30 seconds

Imagine waking up ready to start your day, only to be plunged into darkness without any warning. On April 28^th, this alarming scenario became a reality for millions across Spain, Portugal, France, and even Belgium. This event left residents and businesses across the Iberian Peninsula scrambling, raising questions about the resilience of Europe’s energy grid and the threats lurking beneath modern power networks. 

Author: Miruna-Antonia Aniculăesei

Read time: 3:28

Since 1974, the European Union, formerly known as the European Communities, has been conducting the Standard Eurobarometer survey as a way to spread information about the organisation itself and gather support, as well as as a method of measuring the public level of satisfaction towards the EU. For almost 51 years, the Eurobarometer has shown the EU publics’ overall opinion on a diverse selection of EU matters and the way in which these opinions shift in response to crises After a turbulent period of crises, one would expect a decrease in public support for the Union, but what do the public opinion polls actually tell us about citizens’ reactions?

By: Lavinia Tacke

Reading time: 6 minutes

On Monday, April 28, Canada elected a new Prime Minister after the former leader, Justin Trudeau, resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and as Prime Minister in January. The new Prime Minister is Mark Carney, who already took over after Trudeau’s early resignation. Carney’s main campaign promises were to cut taxes for the middle class and to remove trade barriers between the provinces.

By Margaux Baudry, read 3 min

On May 7th, 2025, the thick wooden doors of the Sistine Chapel will once again close behind 133 Catholic cardinals- the electors tasked with choosing the next Pope. But this time, the air is less incense and more tense. Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on April 21st, the Church faces one of its most unpredictable and fractured conclaves in modern history. With more electors, deeper ideological divisions, and an increasingly globalized Church, this isn’t just about white smoke- it’s about what kind of Church emerges from the ashes.

By Ben Rosenbaum, Reading Time: ca. 4 minutes

With so many other crises dominating the EU’s agenda, the issue of climate action is much less prominent in the news compared to 6 years ago. But is this development also true for the EU’s actions to combat climate change, or are we just not hearing about it?

By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 4 minutes.

The AfD was the second-largest party in the recent German national elections (20.8% of the vote) and formed the strongest political group in East Germany. It has 15 members in the European Parliament and is even too radical for French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Moreover, the party has been linked to the far-right scene meeting in Potsdam on “remigration”, several scandals about foreign influence from Russia and China (take Maximilian Krah as an example), and recurring instances of trivialising the holocaust and the Nazi regime. Now Germany’s domestic intelligence service has officially classified the AfD as a right-wing extremist group. But why has this classification taken so long, and what does it mean for the party and German politics?

By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 4 minutes.

Following the German elections in February, the CDU (Christian Democratic Union), its Bavarian sister party CSU (Christian Social Union), and the SPD (Social Democratic Party) have now agreed to form a coalition, the so-called GroKo (Grand Coalition). This agreement is a success, considering the months of uncertainty and stagnation under Scholz’s minority government. Before the new government can take office, the SPD’s membership has to approve the agreement and a CDU convention has to be held. In the meantime, names of potential candidates for the ministries are already being discussed. The Foreign Ministry will be filled by the CDU, with three potential male candidates for this post. Considering Germany’s Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP), adopted by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (The Greens), the question arises of what will happen to this policy approach, as an ideological shift to the right took place in the government, materialising also in the Federal Foreign Office.

By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 3 minutes.

Do you remember the last time you wore a mask to protect yourself and your loved ones from an unknown virus? The rapid test before meeting your grandparents? The wait for access to a vaccine? These issues feel like they are from a different time. Today, current debates and concerns deal among many with Russia’s war against Ukraine, Trump’s unpredictable and ruthless politics, and the volatility of the world economy. Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic made one thing very clear: a worldwide health crisis poses severe challenges and risks to our societies. The previous article on the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath discussed to what extent we are still affected today by the consequences of the pandemic. This blog post takes a closer look at the European Union (EU)’s preparedness for future health crises, finally asking whether the EU could deal with another future pandemic.

From: Jolanka Kocianova Vuong

Reading Time: 3 minutes 16 seconds

As a Commission President, Ursula Von Der Leyen is used to being at the center of attention. Whether during the first Trump administration, Climate Change, COVID, or the war in Ukraine, Von Der Leyen has always been the person to look up to for the EU to deliver solutions. Yet, this spotlight shines even brighter in the light of Trump's 20% Tariffs challenging the consequential implementation of the Green Deal. What are Von Der Leyen’s plans and how will it affect Europe? Read here to find out more.

By: Lavinia Tacke

Reading time: 5 minutes

In the wake of US President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, the world’s largest island has recently become one of the central topics in global media discourse. But what makes Greenland so unique and how did the island become what it is today?

By Gabriel Panza

Read time: 4 Minutes 15 Seconds

Starting a business in Europe can be a challenging venture, with numerous economic, social and political factors to consider. To find a prime location for business, aspiring entrepreneurs must explore diverse economies, innovative ecosystems, and supportive government frameworks. This article will explore five of the best EU countries for launching your business, noting each country’s unique advantages and business-friendly foundations. Whether you’re an experienced businessman or a first-time entrepreneur, understanding the benefits of these countries can aid in making a well-informed decision about where to start your successful business. Join us as we guide you through Europe’s top destinations for making your business dreams a reality!

By: Lavinia Tacke

Reading time: 4:40 minutes

In January a European spyware scandal flooded the international media. The phones of “around 90 activists and journalists across Europe” were spied on with the use of the software of the Israeli company Paragon Solutions. According to  the European Correspondent, the software can “read messages, record calls, track location and exfiltrate data from mobile devices”. 

by: Jolanka Kocianová Vuong

reading time: 5 minutes, 2 seconds

International aid is under attack! The two most prominent aid organizations in the world, USAID and UK Aid are reducing their spending dramatically, with severe consequences all over the world. It seems as if there is a new policy orientation in the world: down with international aid - let's invest in defence! Here, the recently introduced UK Spending Policy illustrates how funding for the country's armed forces comes at the cost of other important areas, most notably humanitarian support. This development gives rise to a few vital questions: What is the future of international aid? Is the EU going to step into the vacuum to substitute Member State spending, or are China and Russia going to use this opportunity to gain soft power in countries depending on foreign aid? Most importantly, are financial aid and defence spending mutually exclusive?

by Margaux Baudry, read 2 min 20

After a nine-week trial, Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling a total of 4.5€ million in EU parliamentary funds. From 2004 to 2016, the party she led, Rassemblement National (National Rally), created fake work contracts for individuals with no connection to the European Parliament, using  taxpayers’ money to enrich the party. This judgment is not without impact on Le Pen’s career as it bans her from running for office for the next five years. She claimed her conviction was a “political decision” and went on to call it a “witch hunt”. But is this really an unfair punishment—or simply justice finally being served?

By Ben Rosenbaum, Reading Time: 5 mins

In an unexpected course reversal, Germany’s expected next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, pushed new spending rules through parliament. While these changes have broad support, Merz now faces questions about his credibility and whether these financial changes will be effective.

Author: Miruna-Antonia Aniculăesei

Reading time: 2.20

“Security, Europe!” is the slogan of the new Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taken over by Poland after Hungary's quite a controversial term. In comparison to the Hungarian Presidency, which failed to properly sanction Russia, the Polish representatives shaped their programme around the issue of security in the current tense geopolitical context.

By Margaux Baudry

If you feel like the EU enlargement has been stagnating for the past couple of years, it is because it has. Indeed, the last time the number of EU member states changed was when the UK withdrew in 2020. Before that, it was when Croatia joined the club in 2013. Enlargement is a natural phase of the process of European integration: the EU has been enlarging since its origin, and its expansion, for many, is considered one of the Union’s great successes.. Currently, seven states have been granted candidacy for the EU: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and, last but not least, Ukraine. So, why is the process of enlargement at a standstill?

By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 3 minutes.

Lockdowns, masks, vaccination, distance, online… These are all words  we associate with the COVID-19 pandemic and they feel like echoes of a distant past. When the Coronavirus hit the world and spread fast, it caused a pandemic and led to millions of deaths, numerous shocks to economies and health care systems around the world, and much more. The pandemic started five years ago and at that time, several countries had imposed lockdowns on their population. Nowadays, it seems like the virus has been defeated and everything went “back to normal”. But this can be misleading and in the following, it will be explained why. Additionally, it is worth examining to what extent the European Union (EU) has learnt from the global crisis and whether it would be prepared for a similar shock in the future. This will be discussed in a follow-up article.

by Margaux Baudry, read 3 min

Not so long ago, far-right politicians were easy to spot in the wild. They were mostly older, wealthy white men, much like their supporters. But nowadays, as it turns out, diversity is trendy even for far-right parties. We can wave goodbye to typical far-right leaders, as one-size-fits-all is completely out of style. Today, far-right parties are more inclusive than you would expect them to be… Here is the new look of the far-right!

By Federico Fo

Javier Milei, the Argentinian president elected in November of 2023, is well-known around the world for his controversial positions regarding the treatment of national economies, as well as for his political position, which strongly supports a libertarian political and economic system. Such a position may also be referred to as a type of anarcho-capitalism, that opposes any kind of State intervention in the economy. Argentina’s economy is known worldwide for its economic fragility. In response, Milei pledged at the beginning of his mandate to particularly focus on the structural problems of the Argentinian economy, promising to do so through the application of his political and economic beliefs. Argentina has thus become a prominent laboratory for economic and political experiments, attracting attention in the international political environment. In this article, we will explore what Milei has accomplished so far.

by Jolanka Kocianová Vuong

reading time: 6 mins 24 seconds

Populism is on the rise! It seems this statement has been repeated quite often these days. Politicians such as Trump, Meloni, and Orban all represent extreme positions and controversial policies suited to populist ideals. However, another lesser-known populist politician is Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia. In Slovakia, democracy is under threat on a scale not seen since the 1990s—ranging from assassination attempts to coup allegations, the undermining of the executive branch and attacking the opposition. Fico is evolving into Orban 2.0, drawing scrutiny from the European Union. Yet, this situation has not been widely reported in the news. So what is happening in Slovakia, and how is it threatening the democratic order in Europe?  

Read Time: 2 Minutes

By Gabriel Panza

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains a pressing issue, attracting urgent international security intervention, particularly from the European Union. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “the ceasefire and hostage release agreement offers hope” but emphasized that the “humanitarian situation remains grim in Gaza.” 

Kristoffer Saetre Reading time: 3:30 min

Norway has recently been shaken by a governmental crisis. Legislation regulating the energy market has caused a break between the social democratic party (AP) and the center party (Senterpartiet). Interestingly, the legislation in question is EU legislation as part of the energy market package revision from 2024. But wait, why does Norway, a non-EU state, implement EU legislation? What is going on here? This crisis allows us to reflect on Norway’s relationship with the EU and can help us explain why EU energy prices have resulted in a minority government, even though the Norwegian people voted twice against EU accession.  

By Lavinia Tacke, 3 minutes.

The gender pay gap –everybody has heard about it, but what is the current situation in the EU? What is being done to reduce the gap and how does it vary across member states?

by: Jolanka Kocianová Vuong

reading time: 3:40 minutes

Extreme weather events have taken news broadcasters by storm! Whether it’s the LA fire, Hurricanes Milton and Helene, or the flooding of Valencia, the trend suggests that these natural disasters will only increase in the coming years. Yet, with all eyes on headlines full of Trump, the extreme right in Europe, or armed conflicts, it seems as if recently the debate about climate change has been relegated to the background. While News agencies should cover a wide array of topics, it is alarming to see that climate change issues only make the news if politicians deny global warming and withdraw from international climate treaties. So why is no one speaking about Climate Change anymore and why does it matter?

By Dori Felber, Read: 2 minutes 46 seconds

Just months after the tragic abuse suffered by Gisèle Pelicot came to light, a former French surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, has been accused of raping or sexually abusing 299 victims between 1989 and 2014, making it France’s largest-ever child abuse case.