Europe
Labour’s muddled approach to Brexit creates its own risks
The Brexit process is reaching a critical moment. As negotiations continue, key parliamentary votes are lingering in the next few months. This article analyses the current sentiment within the opposition Labour Party whose inability to form a cohesive counterweight to the Conservative exacerbates potential risks.
Europe looks towards Russia in response to US foreign policy
President Trump’s use of economic sanctions as foreign policy has led European countries, especially Germany and France, to consider following in Russia’s footsteps. This includes setting up financial institutions beyond American influence to safeguard their interests.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Elections, but to what end?
Bosnia and Herzegovina held Presidential and Parliamentary elections on October 7, 2018. An ongoing dispute about the electoral law has left the country unable to legally form a government. Despite this, election results indicate the current state of affairs in the country.
Opinion: Russia sanctions are a dangerous game
The United States (US) Government has deemed Russia responsible for violating international law by using chemical weapons against its own nationals in the UK. With this declaration, the US has unleashed, and is threatening further, sanctions against Russia. Can they bring forth change in US – Russia dynamic?
Kosovo and Serbia: is a land swap a real possibility?
Both President Vučić of Serbia and President Thaçi of Kosovo have recently mentioned a land swap as a way of resolving their territories’ long standing dispute. So what would a land swap involve, and how likely is it to happen?
Latvian elections: Populist success and coalitions
Latvia held a parliamentary election on October 6th. This saw the success of numerous small parties; notable is the arrival of KPV LV, relative newcomers who gained sixteen seats in the hundred seat Saeima. Expect the upcoming weeks to be consumed by movements to form a coalition.
Turkey’s expedited European extraditions
Turkey’s ongoing effort to dismantle the supporters for Fethullah Gülen has underlined its influence in southeast Europe, where multiple countries have hurried to comply with requested Turkish extraditions. This raises hard questions
Challenges lie ahead for the European Union’s lofty new Africa plan
The European Commission’s renewed efforts to increase investment in Africa may signal a new commitment to take their economic partnership to the next level. But can the EU achieve its trade ambitions while being pulled in so many different directions?
The dragon over Visegrad: China in central Europe
China’s modern successor to the Silk Road – the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – has received heavy criticism from the West as a tool that could be used to divide Europe through economic influence. Just how well-established is China’s influence in Central Europe – and does Chinese investment represent a threat?
Can Spain’s new government resolve the issue of Catalan independence?
Spain’s new Socialist-led government has adopted a more diplomatic approach to the question of Catalan independence, but is defiant that Spanish unity will not be compromised. How will this strategy balance out and affect the political landscape in Catalonia and across Spain?
