Politics Archives
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The Brief – The new German triumvirate
The traditional “big tent parties” in Germany are the conservative CDU/CSU and the old lady SPD. For the longest time, the German political system was bipolar, with the liberal FDP often playing kingmaker with less than 10% of the votes.
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EU threatens sanctions after UK proposes law to override NI protocol
UK foreign secretary Liz Truss outlined plans for a new law to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol on Tuesday (17 May), insisting that the plans would be legal under international law.
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Germany open to Russian Central Bank asset seizure to finance Ukraine’s recovery
German finance minister Christian Lindner has indicated his support for the idea of seizing foreign assets held by the Russian central bank to rebuild Ukraine following the war.
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EU capitals mull seizing Russia-linked energy assets
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austria lifting their COVID-19 entry requirements, Bosnia getting its ‘last chance’ for an EU candidate status, and so much more.
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Bulgarian officials ordered to provide ID for lesbian couple’s baby
A Bulgarian court on Monday (16 May) ordered city hall authorities in the capital Sofia to issue a birth certificate to the stateless baby of a same-sex couple from Bulgaria and Gibraltar.
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UK to table law to override NI protocol as ‘insurance’ policy, says Johnson
The UK is expected to set out plans on Tuesday (17 May) to table legislation allowing it to override parts of the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted that this was only an ‘insurance policy’.
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Radical Left refuses to join Mélenchon’s left-wing bloc over EU stance
France's Radical Left Party will not take part in the new 'united left' group set up by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise, the party's president, Guillaume Lacroix, said, citing concerns over the alliance's EU stance. EURACTIV France reports.
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To protect our freedoms, we need stronger, better government
Liberal European governments need to act to quickly the reform the structural flaws that allow illiberalism and extremism to thrive, writes Dita Charanzová.
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Enlargement could be bargaining chip to trigger EU-Reform
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Sweden's ruling Social Democrats being in favour of a NATO application, the Slovenian parliament getting a record number of women, and so much more.
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A mission of European Conservatives to CPAC, where the old continent meets the new one
From the 24th to 26th of February 2022 a mission of about to 30 members of the ECR Party and ECR group at the European Parliament went to Cpac 2022 the Convention of American Conservatories that took place in Orlando, Florida, USA.
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Scholz’s SPD suffers historic defeat in major state election
The German Social Democrats suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday’s state election in Germany’s most populous state and lost to the conservative CDU. The Greens were able to triple their vote and logged a historical result in the election.
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Swiss voters approve ‘Lex Netflix’ TV streaming funding law
Swiss voters on Sunday (15 May) backed proposals to make global TV streaming services such as Netflix Inc, Amazon and Disney invest some of their revenues generated in Switzerland into domestic film-making.
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Ukraine hopes to host 2023 Eurovision in ‘free’ Mariupol, amid technical challenges
After winning the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) on Saturday (14 May), Ukraine is expected to host the gala event next year, highlighting another symbol of its renewed European integration. However, with the war still raging in its territory, the prospect of holding the 2023 edition in Ukraine remains daunting.
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Folk rappers from Ukraine win Eurovision in musical morale boost
Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest Sunday (15 May) with an infectious hip-hop folk melody, as the embattled nation rides a wave of public support across Europe.
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From Eurovision to the European Parliament: 3 contestants who made the big leap
Nana, Iva, and Dana: three singers whose voices have resonated from the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) to the plenary of the European Parliament.
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Politics cannot be avoided but impact on contest limited, says Eurovision organiser
It is naive to think cultural institutions can be wholly separated from what is happening in the world and the invasion of Ukraine was so extraordinary that it required an exceptional reaction, the head of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) …
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Why Eurovision is a big deal for Ukrainians – and not only this year
For Ukrainians, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) has always been deeply connected with political issues and claims. This year, the political contextualization became even sharper after the Russian invasion of the country.
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Scholz to face major litmus test in elections of largest German state
On Sunday, 15 May, voters in the largest German state, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), will head to the polls. The results in the 17 million inhabitant state will be the first time that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is being judged by voters.
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The Brief – Treaty change
The public remarks made by a group of EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, hinting at "the need to reform" the bloc have suddenly given life to the idea of a new EU treaty that would have been very unlikely just a few months ago.
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United Kingdom hopes for a return to Eurovision glory, reverse of Brexit bias
A quarter of a century has passed since the UK last won the Eurovision Song Contest, leading to years of speculation on whether political events such as Brexit crushed their chances of winning, but this year the tables may well turn.
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Why is Eurovision so political and what is the new European Political Community?
This week, our Beyond the Byline podcast focuses on why the Eurovision Song Contest has become so politicised and whether this year's event is a good reflection of current European affairs. Who are the traditional allies that we will see supporting …
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Tweets of the Week: Interpretive CoFoE, Finlandisation and Eurovision
Interpretive dance in Parliament is just pure cringe, when it comes to NATO, Finland is no longer on the fringe, and Ukraine in Eurovision delivers an emotional twinge.
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Most Finns believe country can’t defend itself alone
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Albania increasing imports from Ukraine and Russia, the Dutch prime minister’s address to the Ukrainian parliament, and so much more.
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The future of Europe is on the ground
Whether they are looking far into the future for strategic orientations, or closer to the present for new legislation, EU decision-makers need local and regional leaders to show them how the Union is functioning on the ground.