Europe
EU-Russia energy relations at lowest point since Cold War
It has been one year since the controversial referendum on Crimean independency took place under the protection of Russian arms and the factual annexation of the strategically important peninsula in
Is Greece heading towards a referendum?
Will increased tension between Greece and its creditors lead to a potentially destabilizing Greek referendum on austerity measures or membership in the euro? In a March 12 interview on Australian
Front National poised to win first round of regional elections in March
Front National (FN), led by Marine Le Pen, the daughter of founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, has gained a lot of ground in polls lately. This is a warning to the centre-right
Britain wins ECB battle, but has it won the war?
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) granted the UK an important victory against the European Central Bank (ECB) on March 4, with a ruling that prevents the central bank from limiting
Interview: Will Catalonia be independent in 2015?
Catalonia’s political leader, President of the Generalitat Artur Mas i Gavarró, has urged a snap local vote on independence from Spain this September, despite the latest decision by Spain’s supreme court ruling that
Lithuania reintroduces compulsory military service
The president of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, announced on February 24th that the country plans to reinstate military conscription due to the current geopolitical situation. Although the president did not say
New EU Energy Union aimed at breaking dependence on Russia
The recently announced Energy Union proposal is largely aimed at reducing the EU’s dependence on Russian gas. However, the proposed measures are unlikely to bring about the desired results. On
Moldova escapes government and currency crises
When a long crisis triggered a sudden run on its currency last month, Moldova’s parliament finally chose a new liberal Prime Minister. If the fragile minority government survives, last year’s
The slow and bumpy road to reform in France
France’s Minister of the Economy, Emmanuel Macron, has fought hard for reforms. But the reform bill currently debated in the French parliament, despite moving in the right direction, will be of
Norway still optimistic over Arctic oil
The drastic fall in oil prices has made petroleum explorations in the Barents Sea seemingly unprofitable. Yet, despite severe economic, technological and environmental concerns, the Norwegian government pushes for increased activities,
