Commission Lets South Off with Warnings Again
Italy, Portugal and Spain get a slap on the wrist for breaking Europe’s budget rules.
Nick Ottens
Nick Ottens is a public affairs officer for the Dutch Animal Coalition and a board member for Liberal Green, the sustainability network of the Dutch liberal party VVD. He is a former political risk consultant and a former research manager for XPRIZE, where he designed prize competitions to incentivize breakthrough innovation in agriculture, food and health care. He has also worked as a journalist in Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York for EUobserver, NRC, Trouw, World Politics Review and Wynia’s Week, among others.
Dutch Military Readiness Impaired by Cuts: Auditors
Dutch armed forces are plagued by serious shortcomings.
Euroskeptic Fanatics Are Never Going to Give Up
If the referendum doesn’t go their way, the outers will come up with a reason to demand a second one.
Donald Trump and the Strongman’s Temptation
Like strongmen everywhere, the Republican promises to deliver greatness through the sheer force of his personality.
Poland Warned Policies Will Damage Economy
Polish leaders are warned that populist spending pledges and institutional instability will affect growth.
Middle-Class Americans Need a New Deal
A middle-class life is out of reach for too many Americans.
Republicans Look to Prevent a “Trump” in 2020
Party insiders are figuring out ways to prevent another outsider from winning in four years’ time.
Parliaments Force Rethink of Workers Directive Reform
Ten Central European nations plus Denmark resist changes that could make their workers less competitive.
Boris Johnson Drifts Closer to Euroskeptic Fringe
The former mayor of London has revealed himself to be something of anti-EU fanatic.
Brazil to Muddle Through After Rousseff Suspended
Power shifts to the president’s unprincipled allies in the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party.
French Socialists Enact Labor Reforms by Decree
Socialist Party leaders bypass opposition from within their own party to liberalize the French labor market.
Merkel Keeps the Peace in Conservative Coalition
Germany maintains controls on its southern border.
Impact of Spanish Far-Left Pact Could Be Limited
Any gains the now-united parties of the left make would come at the expense of the mainstream Socialists.
Faymann’s Resignation May Not Help Social Democrats
Austria’s Social Democrats have the same problem as center-left parties elsewhere in Europe.
Greeks Push Through Pension Cuts, Eye Debt Relief
Greek leaders hope that the latest round of cutbacks will unlock talks in Brussels about debt relief.