Skip to content
Atlantic Sentinel logo

Atlantic Sentinel

The world from Amsterdam, by Nick Ottens

  • About Nick
  • Authors
  • Newsletter
  • Top Stories

Western Europe

Emmanuel Macron

Macron’s Party Is Up, But So Is the Left

The French president may defend his majority in parliament after all.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 27, 2022July 28, 2022
Almere Netherlands

Dutch Government Created Housing Shortage, Blames Market

Far from trusting the market, politicians won’t leave housing alone.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 24, 2022November 13, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

How Divided Government Works in France

Without a majority in the National Assembly, the president can still make foreign policy.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 11, 2022July 5, 2022
Northern Ireland parliament Belfast

Northern Ireland’s Political System Will Need to Change

Power-sharing kept the peace for 25 years. Now it’s making it harder to govern.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 8, 2022June 24, 2022
Amsterdam Netherlands cannabis store

Amsterdam Won’t Keep Weed from Tourists

Banning the sale of cannabis could cause a surge in street crime.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 1, 2022April 8, 2023
Louvre Paris France

Two Parties May Be Better Than Three

The only thing worse than two-party polarization is permanent rule by the center.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 29, 2022June 13, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron’s Next Challenge: Defending His Majority in Parliament

The president’s second term could be a lot harder than his first.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 24, 2022June 9, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron Wins Second Term in France

Emmanuel Macron is the first French president in twenty years to win reelection.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 24, 2022November 13, 2022
Charles de Gaulle

Three Political Traditions Explain the French Election

Charles de Gaulle’s two-party system has broken down.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 23, 2022June 1, 2022
Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Macron Is Lesser of Evils for Mélenchon Voters

Left-wing France should give the president a second chance.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 20, 2022May 24, 2022
Boris Johnson Emmanuel Macron

Macron Is Wrong to Back Away from Pension Reform

French pensions are too generous. The pension system is too expensive.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 13, 2022May 12, 2022
Emmanuel Macron

Macron Places First, But Le Pen Is Stronger Than Ever

Takeaways from the first presidential voting round in France.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 10, 2022May 8, 2022
Elysée Palace Paris France

Macron and Le Pen Win First Voting Round in France

This presidential election will be a rematch of the last.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 10, 2022April 24, 2022
Valérie Pécresse

French Presidential Election Guide

The electoral system, the candidates, the key issues and the most likely outcomes.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 9, 2022May 6, 2022
Elysée Palace Paris France

Five French Election Scenarios

Whoever wins the presidency, France will probably have five years of divided government.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 8, 2022April 24, 2022

Posts navigation

Prev 1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 100 Next

Regions

  • Balkans
  • Catalonia
  • Caribbean
  • Middle East
  • Scandinavia

Countries

  • France
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Spain
  • United States

Leaders

  • Biden
  • Macron
  • Meloni
  • Rutte
  • Sánchez

Topics

  • Agriculture
  • Energy
  • Health Care
  • Housing
  • Migration
© 2025 Atlantic Sentinel
Home About Contact Links Privacy