In contrast to the former colonial powers of Western Europe, Russia has maintained a deep attachment to its imperial tradition into the 21st century. Restoring long-term stability to the European continent will require Russia to develop a robust sense of nationhood — one that respects the independence and sovereignty of...
Moldova’s Election: a test of Europe’s resolve
President Maia Sandu’s pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) faces a resurgent opposition in the September 28 vote, and evidence of Kremlin meddling is everywhere. The result won’t just determine who will form a government, but whether a small state can withstand Russia’s hybrid warfare — and what that means...
Hungary defies Trump’s demand to halt Russian oil
If a member state persistently breaches EU values (rule of law, democracy, human rights), Article 7 TEU allows the EU to suspend certain rights, including voting rights in the Council. But even then, the country remains a member — it does however lose influence. Perhaps it is time for Brussels...
Czech opposition ANO extends poll lead ahead of 3–4 October vote
Czechia’s main opposition party, ANO, has widened its advantage over Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s ruling bloc less than three weeks before parliamentary elections. A new survey by pollster STEM for CNN Prima News places ANO on 31.3% support, with the centre-right SPOLU (Together) coalition on 20.2%. Voting will take place...
Vučić flexes muscles and rattles weapons with massive military parade in Belgrade
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić staged on Saturday (20 September) the largest parade in Serbia’s history, deploying 10,000 troops, 2,600 pieces of military equipment and a 300-metre Serbian flag. The display in Belgrade raised eyebrows in neighbouring countries and Brussels over the true intentions of the increasingly autocratic Serbian leader. Vučić...
Lukoil’s Bulgarian refinery sinks into €107million loss amid EU sanctions
Under the compensation programme for high electricity prices, Lukoil was granted €11.6 million from the Bulgarian state budget in 2024. The Russian-owned oil refinery Lukoil Neftochim near Burgas, the largest in the Balkans, reported a major loss of 213 million leva (€107 million) for 2025, meaning the company received more...
The Digital Euro: public money for a fairer future
The European Parliament’s rapporteur on the digital euro file, centre-right MEP Fernando Navarrete, in a recent article, claimed to offer a rational common ground to discuss the proposal for a European Central Bank digital currency (CBDC). However, his approach reflects a fear of transition: warning of financial instability, lost innovation,...
The Baltic Defense Line: Shield or Illusion?
Though their landscape is picturesque, the Baltic states are not built for defense. Lakes and swamps provide some benefit, but there are no mountains, jungles, or Rhine-sized rivers to stop an invader. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania can be Holland, but not Switzerland. Hence, the Baltic states want to build the...
Is Germany joining the trend of politics shaping media freedom?
In Germany, a dispute over public broadcasting has reached the political spotlight. Julia Ruhs, a journalist and presenter of Klar, a programme that often covered right-wing themes such as immigration, has been dropped by Germany’s public broadcaster NDR. The decision triggered a strong reaction from the Christian Democrats. Their general...
Russia’s new Potemkin cities
Constant destruction from the war has brought massive challenges for people in the region, and Moscow has repeatedly botched its response, failing to deliver a decent life for those it now claims as citizens. Water supplies have suffered since the 2022 full-scale invasion, and nine out of 10 reservoirs in...