Europe needs deregulation to grow – starting with pausing CBAM
Europe is at a crossroads. The continent’s economic engine, long admired for its stability and innovation, is losing momentum. Rising competition from the United States and China, combined with a growing regulatory burden, threatens to make Europe uncompetitive on the global stage. Faced with this reality, the EU must confront a hard truth: overregulation is strangling its economic potential. If Europe wants to remain a global leader, deregulation isn’t just an option – it’s a necessity.
How Can He Make America Great Again?
Even before his election, President Trump made his vision for transforming US foreign policy clear. Since taking office, he has actively engaged in foreign policy battles, primarily driven by his agenda. But let’s take a quick look at the necessary steps he has taken in the two weeks since taking office and the chaos he has caused at the start of Mr Trump’s second term.
What will become of the American car industry?
The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2015 and entering into force on 4 November 2016, is a landmark in human history, as was the creation of the United Nations. The treaty is crucial because it is the first international agreement in a long time that, although not legally binding, is based on voluntary commitments and has been accepted by almost all countries worldwide. Perhaps only FIFA has more signatories and members.
Chat Control is a breach of trust
The EU’s proposed Chat Control regulation goes against European values without achieving its aim to protect children.
There used to be a saying in communist Hungary plagued by surveillance, censorship, and lack of free expression: “If you have sensitive thoughts, don’t talk about them. If you talk about them, don’t put them into writing. If you put them into writing, don’t sign it. If you signed it, don’t be surprised.”
Where Is European Car Manufacturing Headed?
This question is being asked with increasing frequency, especially when following the news, which often highlights the challenges facing European car manufacturers or managerial and operational issues within the industry. What we know for sure is that Europe’s largest carmakers, such as the Volkswagen Group (VAG) and Stellantis, are grappling with numerous problems. Even Renault, while appearing to manage market and corporate difficulties better, is not entirely unscathed by the current turbulence.
Romania at a Crossroads: The Election Crisis
Romania has found itself amid a political crisis. The Constitutional Court’s decision to annul the presidential election results is a shocking political event, and a significant reflection of the deepening divides in Romania’s political landscape and its strained democratic institutions. This decision made just two days before the final round of voting, has sparked heated debates about the role of the judiciary, the influence of foreign powers, and the integrity of Romania’s electoral process. The surreal irony of watching voters in the diaspora cast their ballots on live TV, even after learning of the Court’s decision, highlights the chaotic nature of the situation. In just two weeks, Romania has gone from a relatively calm and stable democracy—recently admitted into the Schengen Area—to a nation on the brink of a constitutional crisis.
The Ultimate Dark Horse: How a Little-Known Far-Right Figure Won the First Round of Romania’s Presidential Election
First, it felt like a strange dream. As a political enthusiast who is always up-to-date on the latest news, I could never have imagined the situation in which I wake up in my home and have no idea who the man who has just won the election is. Since 6.30 am, 25 November 2024, I have already known that feeling. Romania, the EU’s sixth most populous member state, has recently made waves in the European press. Amid a “super-election” year, with elections for the European Parliament, local councils, parliament, and the presidency all taking place in 2024, far-right and dark-horse candidate Călin Georgescu won the first round of Romania’s presidential election with 23 percent of the vote.
Libertarianism Must End Its Affair With Populism
Flirting with populism has sadly become a trend in libertarian circles. As the 2024 US presidential election was reaching its climax, an avalanche of podcasters and media personalities who previously claimed adherence to libertarianism endorsed Trump. The most famous among them may be comedian Dave Smith, who used to call Trump a war criminal deserving of a lifetime in prison.
US Elections: Wake-Up Call for Political Strategy
The 2024 US elections have exposed enduring weaknesses and critical oversights in the approaches taken by the left worldwide, traditional media, and political strategists. In an era where populism continues to rise, trust in institutions declines, and social media shapes public discourse, the election results underscore the urgent need for strategic recalibration. Not for democrats, but for the American democracy.
The Election of the Year
This week, I had the opportunity to get a closer look at the excitement surrounding the American presidential election. As much as possible, I have been following events from this side of the Atlantic from a respectful distance. So far, I’ve mostly considered the prospects for cooperation with potential winners from the EU’s perspective, especially regarding the candidates’ stances on the war in Ukraine and any anticipated changes in their positions.
Moldovan Referendum: Not Great, Not Terrible?
The first time I went to Moldova it was by accident. Spending my summer vacation with some friends in Romania, we planned to visit the Eastern part of the country – Moldavia. While English, and my native Hungarian, make a clear distinction between Moldova and Moldavia, the Romanian language does not. Both are Moldova – the region, and the country, too. That’s how I ended up in Moldova instead of Moldavia after a two-hour-long wait at the Sculeni border crossing, the main entry point to the Republic of Moldova from Romania.
The Role of Cities and Regions in the EU
Yesterday, the European Parliament discussed the role of cities and regions and the potential for regional development within the EU. The debate attracted relatively little interest, as many representatives were either absent or not engaged in the topic. Yet, this was one of the most critical discussions to shape the next cycle fundamentally. Primarily, Spanish representatives were active, focusing on three main elements.
Democracy: is it a mere political phenomenon, or a cultural attitude?
It is just natural that time to time we tend to think about the quality of our Western democracies, especially in a period when several crisis hit our social structures. As democracy is a system that indeed needs constant work to be maintained, it is not surprising that we are evaluating regularly if it is functioning properly.
Expats During Municipal Elections
Living as an expat in Brussels is one of the most exciting ways to experience life. Part of this excitement comes from the fact that 35% of Brussels’ population, roughly 400,000 people, are not Belgian citizens. Of these, 220,000 are considered expats—highly qualified, well-paid individuals working for international organizations. In this highly livable city, characterized by vast green spaces and a vibrant cultural scene, around 180 nationalities speaking over 100 languages mix.
Missed Opportunity
The much-anticipated debate in the European Parliament took place yesterday. It offered an opportunity for everyone to voice their own narrative, to offer ideas, a vision, and perhaps a solution for Europe. Unfortunately, no one took this opportunity.
