Slow to Reform, Greece Needs Bailout Extension
European and IMF officials are unconvinced Greece is ready to return to market financing.
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.
Löfven Calls Snap Elections After Budget Defeated
The Social Democrat must call early elections or carry out the opposition’s spending plan.
British Budget Seen as Conservative Election Statement
George Osborne boasts of high growth and tax cuts, but the deficit remains high.
Catalan Separatists Share Goal But Wary of Collaborating
Catalonia’s second largest party refuses to contest the next election on a single electoral list.
Sweden Budget Talks Fail, Early Elections Likely
Conservative and liberal opposition parties refuse to support the left-wing government’s spending plans.
Swedish Nationalists Block Löfven’s Budget Bill
Without a majority for his spending plan, Stefan Löfven could be forced to resign.
Italy’s North-South Divide Worsening
Southern cities are falling behind in terms of economic development and governance.
Russia Cancels South Stream Citing European Opposition
The pipeline’s cancellation is hardly an economic loss for Russia. It was always a political project.
Pro-Europe Parties Lose Support in Moldova, Maintain Majority
Preliminary results show increased support for the opposition Communists and Socialists.
Leadership Vote Shows French Right Dependent on Sarkozy
The fact that conservatives could find no one but Nicolas Sarkozy raises some long-term questions.
Rajoy Refuses to Negotiate, Ridicules Catalan Independence
Spain’s obstinate prime minister probably only makes Catalans more determined to break away.
France’s Sarkozy Starts Political Comeback
The former president is almost certain to win back the leadership of his party.
Reagan’s Rebellion and the End of the Cold War
Both the American right and the European left fail to appreciate Ronald Reagan’s significance.
Backing Down, Cameron Calls for Modest Migration Reforms
The British leader backs away from radical reforms that could have cost him allies in Europe.
Moldova Next? Voters Asked to Choose Between Europe, Russia
The choice Moldovans face is reminiscent of recent events in Ukraine.