Remigration on a mass scale is now salonfähig in the political lexicon of Allianz für Deutschland co-leader and Kanzlerkandidatin Alice Weidel - and her party as a whole. Repatriation of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of refugees/asylum-seekers inevitably recalls the 1933-39 period (before the war-time Final Solution) when thousands among the half a million Jews in … [Read more...] about We’re allowing the Far Right to set the pace
European Union
Europe’s centrists are empowering the Far Right
At the start of the year, Austria marked the thirtieth anniversary of its accession to the European Union in 1995. However, this celebration was soon overshadowed by the collapse of coalition negotiations among the People’s Party (ÖVP), the Social Democrats (SPÖ), and the liberal NEOS.Europe’s The talks fell apart when NEOS withdrew, quickly followed by the ÖVP. Despite a … [Read more...] about Europe’s centrists are empowering the Far Right
The EU and UK under Trump 2.0
Almost a week after Donald Trump’s election victory, are European leaders any clearer on their strategic reaction to the ever-deteriorating geopolitical environment and the implications of his victory? Or, amidst EU divisions on a range of issues, is the EU – not very strategically – just waiting to see how bad Trump 2.0 proves to be? After the flurry of congratulations from … [Read more...] about The EU and UK under Trump 2.0
Eurosclerosis makes an unwelcome return
The European Union is in trouble and "muddling through," the time-honoured EU response to crises, simply won't be enough. It's not just that Europe is falling behind both the US and China economically; it's the politics, stupid! Last week saw Ursula von der Leyen, as President, cobble together a Commission that reeks of second-raters and rotten compromises after she shafted … [Read more...] about Eurosclerosis makes an unwelcome return
EU climate challenges – and politics
How will the EU tackle the climate and biodiversity crises in the coming crucial years? Europe is the fastest-warming continent, globally, and its nature and biodiversity is in a state of serious decline. Yet, leading climate experts are warning the EU is likely to miss its own 55% target for emissions reductions by 2030 unless it rapidly steps up – possibly not even hitting … [Read more...] about EU climate challenges – and politics