The hottest EU Substack posts right now

Countries around the world are facing a rise in populism, with notable victories for right-wing figures like Javier Milei and Geert Wilders.
While economic policies like Biden's stimulus plan have shown success, they may not always align with public perception, highlighting a disconnect.
The European Union is grappling with challenges posed by populist leaders like Viktor Orban, impacting critical decisions such as Ukraine's accession talks.

European leaders are exploring financial warfare against Hungary due to obstruction over aid to Ukraine
Inflicting financial pain on Hungary may not work as the country has developed defenses against external pressure
Hungary has had a persistent large current account surplus since the 2008 financial crisis

The crisis in Ukraine weakens the EU's strength and international influence.
The war impacts the EU's push for strategic autonomy.
Chinese analysts share similar pessimistic views on the EU's economic and political prospects.

The Tories are seeking a second Brexit to regain electoral momentum.
Historically, the Conservative party did not prioritize Euroscepticism until later years.
David Cameron's referendum gamble to settle the European issue backfired, leading the party to become entrenched in Brexit.

Europe is experiencing a crackdown on free speech by the European Commission.
Twitter, now known as X, is refusing to comply with Europe's censorship demands.
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has initiated proceedings against X for suspected breach of counter Illegal Content and Disinformation obligations.

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Matteo Salvini and right-wing populist parties in the EU are strategizing to gain more power within the Brussels machine by forming alliances and aiming for electoral victories.
BlackRock, a massive asset manager, is entering the Bitcoin market and leading the trend of tokenizing assets, indicating a significant shift in the financial sector towards digitalization.
The James Webb Space Telescope has unlocked a cosmic mystery by detecting light from early galaxies that should have been obscured, showcasing the telescope's capabilities in understanding the universe.

EU's global leadership in green steel is hindered by multiple factors
EU's cleaner steel production is decreasing while reliance on dirtier imports is increasing
Deep decarbonization of steel is possible but faces challenges like scalability and lack of economic incentives

The Biden administration and WHO are ending Covid-19 measures as public interest wanes.
The Covid circus is folding up as winter saw less Corona cases and lack of public interest in testing.
Polish health minister speaks out against Pfizer's vaccine surplus and profiteering.

The draft of the electricity market reform focuses on stable revenues for renewable energy suppliers
Support schemes should include revenue guarantees and restrictions on market revenues for renewable energy generation
Efforts are being made to ensure that revenues collected from energy prices are passed on to all electricity customers

The EU's economic recovery has been slow and weak, putting it at risk
Major Eurozone economies are struggling to exceed 2019 GDP levels, showing deceleration in economic growth
Rising prices and slow growth in Europe are forcing households to make tough choices by cutting back on essential consumption

Recovering independence meant rebuilding laws and steering a painful shift from a planned economy to a market one. Careful citizenship and language policies were used to protect national identity while preparing to join NATO and the EU.
Russia has used grievances over citizenship and language to pressure the Baltics and has at times made threatening statements. NATO’s Article 5 and stronger deterrence measures, along with defense spending by members, make a direct attack unlikely.
Democracy is a fragile flower that needs constant tending through education, accountable leaders, and practical policies to reduce social tensions. Populism and xenophobia have been fueled by economic insecurity, large migration flows, and social media amplification, but recommitting to democratic values can help the EU and democracies recover.