Salvini Would Pick Populists Over Center-Left for Coalition
The leader of Italy’s Northern League would prefer a government with the Five Star Movement.
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.
Old-School Leftists Break with Democratic Party in Italy
Disputes over a new electoral law and the governor of the Bank of Italy reveal a left-wing split.
Rajoy Could Struggle to Implement Direct Rule in Catalonia
Active and passive resistance from Catalan officials could make it difficult to impose rule from Madrid.
Independence Tests Catalonia’s Ruling Coalition
Left-wing separatists are determined to secede from Spain, but the center-right is divided.
Catalonia’s Far Left Could Hold the Key to Independence
If left-wing parties change sides, there would be a clear majority for independence from Spain.
How Significant Is Latest Republican Criticism of Trump?
George W. Bush, John McCain, Bob Corker and Jeff Flake don’t mince words. But they have nothing to lose.
Posted-Workers Reform a Largely Symbolic Victory for Macron
The changes affect few workers, but the French leader believes they have symbolic value.
Rajoy’s Offers Are Too Little, Too Late for Catalans
What’s needed is an ambitious proposal to break the impasse.
In City-Country Imbalance, Don’t Focus Only on the Left Behind
City dwellers may at some point decide they have had enough of subsidizing ungrateful provinces.
Puigdemont Has Five Options to Respond to Threat of Spanish Rule
The Catalan leader will probably urge resistance to Spanish rule or declare independence.
Suspension of Catalan Home Rule Divides Spain’s Socialists
Party members in the region criticize the national leadership for supporting Mariano Rajoy.
Similarities and Differences Between Catalan, Italian Referendums
The biggest difference: former separatists in northern Italy no longer call for independence.
How Ripe for Tyranny Is America? Two Numbers to Give You Pause
Republicans have lost trust in the media while one in five students would tolerate violence to block out unwelcome speech.
Globalization Boosts Some Regions, Marginalizes Others
Growth and opportunity are clustered in major cities.
Without Brexit Deal, United Kingdom Would Be Thrown into Chaos
Brexiteers who believe leaving the EU without a deal would not be the end of the world should think again.