Their parties were both in the conservative European People’s Party in the European Parliament, both had cut their teeth in the anti-communist opposition in the late 1980s, and both had often encountered each other as they rose through the ranks in their respective countries. “Being in the same EU party and sharing a passion for … Read more
The Pirate Party leadership soon took up the cudgel, however. “We were kicked out of the government by ODS [Fiala’s ruling party] today, and it’s out of the question that we would come back to beg,” said Jakub Michálek, head of party’s parliamentary caucus. The Pirate Party is reportedly now considering leaving the coalition, which … Read more
Surprising? Not really. While the EU accounted for over 27 percent of the world’s GDP in 1990 — more than the U.S. at the time — today, its share is a little over 17 percent. And as Europe’s economic strength shrinks, the less it can project regulatory power on the world stage — a fact … Read more
“But I’d be really clear, it is something that occupies my time,” he said. “I do think in the end, delivery is the way forward. It’s about a disaffection in politics, the easy answer is appealing if people don’t think there’s a better answer, and so progressives have to provide the better answer.” POLITICO revealed … Read more
Change of direction After surviving the illiberal reign of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar in the 1990s, Slovakia elected a pro-Western government in 1998, putting itself back on track for NATO and EU membership, which it secured in 2002 and 2004 respectively. But after eight years of relentless reforms and creeping corruption, the electorate turned in … Read more
But while progressives may take some heart from this democratic alliance in the short-term, a lot more needs to be done than simply oppose. To win, democratic mainstream parties have to develop a new radical centrism. They need an injection of fresh ideas, fresh faces and a willingness to act on voters’ priorities with courage … Read more
However, the euroskeptics in Budapest or Bratislava don’t have the clout to hollow out the EU on their own. But if joined by founding members like Italy, and perhaps The Netherlands, their promise — or threat — of turning the bloc into a “Europe of nations” becomes ever more possible. Plus, for the right-wing populists … Read more
As these assassinations unfolded, some reassured themselves by arguing they were the bloody handiwork of crackpots and wackos. “There are more kinds of fools than one can guard against,” remarks a character in Joseph Conrad’s period-set novel, “The Secret Agent.” Today, it’s similarly hard not to categorize the 71-year-old Cintula — the politically fluid, sometimes … Read more
“The very soul of Europe is at risk,” warned Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. During the two-day meeting in Rome, politicians cast around for ideas and strategies to reverse the curve. “We should respond to the worries of our citizens,” Belgian Socialist Party lead candidate Elio Di Rupo told POLITICO, noting that the far right … Read more
Galloway ran his campaign from a Suzuki car dealership, which is both darkly funny, and a metaphor for the way in which democracy can feel like another glib consumer choice. Do you want a car and a dream? Or just a car? I stood outside the dealership, and looked at the tiny pictures of Galloway … Read more
