Eurovision: National self-portrayal or building a European identity? Analysis Although the Eurovision Song Contest was not intended as an instrument of European integration, it has become a symbol of it – even if the relationship between national and European identity is contradictory. Dr. Dean Vuletic
"They should have tried harder": Czechia cannot find an answer to populism Analysis Czech populists are on a roll, partly due to the antisocial policies of the country's right-wing government. While liberals put the blame on disinformation, the left continues to languish or to flirt with fascist ideas. And migrant-phobia has long become mainstream. Petra Dvořáková
India's 2024 election: democracy in action Dossier India, the world's largest democracy, is holding its general elections from 19 April to 4 June 2024. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks his third consecutive term, the ballot reflects the complex realities of the South Asian giant and its political landscape. This dossier by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung New Delhi office offers concise analyses of select issues surrounding the election, providing perspectives on the country's current political climate. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Regional Office - New Delhi
The Greek far right is advancing under the radar Analysis Greece's far right has taken root and Greek civil society is struggling to come up with a counter-narrative. The reason: economic woes and a left that seems compromised. Fabien Perrier
Climate change in Italian politics: polarisation, demonisation and repression Analysis If smart politics and scientific evidence went hand-in-hand, decarbonisation would be understood as a political issue that transcends party lines. Yet in the run-up to the EU elections, a political division over this issue seems to be emerging, both at an EU level and within the member states. ECCO
Lost in a legal maze: 10+1 stories of asylum seekers in Europe Video playlist Through the stories of eleven asylum seekers, the video series "Lost in a legal maze" by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Thessaloniki office aims to reveal the difficulties of navigating a legal system designed to fail them. In these five-minute episodes, filmed in Greece in November 2023, eleven refugees in different stages of their asylum procedures share on camera their own legal journey – from pushbacks to unjustified rejections to retroactive laws. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Thessaloniki, Greece
Italian society remains ‘untamed’ by the most rightwing government in decades Analysis Repression is the hallmark of Giorgia Meloni's far-right government. The targets: migrants, the LGBTQ+ community, climate activists, and demonstrations of dissent in general. But Italian society is proving resilient. Leonardo Bianchi
Europe before the elections: Questions and consequences for the economy Interview Five years after the European Green Deal was launched, Europe's economic strength and security are at stake. What lies ahead for the German and European economy? A conversation with Sandra Parthie and Roderick Kefferpütz. Phillip Käding, Sandra Parthie, Roderick Kefferpütz
Press freedom in France is threatened by crisis, concentration, and a lack of independence Commentary Over the past fifteen years, the French media landscape has been radically transformed. While demand for information has never been so high, thanks to the digital revolution, the overall supply of information has never been so low, giving rise to growing concern among media professionals represented by journalists' societies, unions, associations and collectives. Fonds pour une Presse Libre (Fund for a free press)
Why Türkiye matters for Europe's migration challenges Commentary While the European Union is poised for alteration, it becomes important more than ever to remember why Türkiye matters for Europe’s migration challenges. The EU needs a stable Türkiye. A country in severe economic and political conditions, lacking sufficient support for refugees and migrants, perfectly illustrates the push factors that drive further migration where the EU is a near destination. A stable Türkiye benefits the EU, the population in Türkiye, and the surrounding region. This cannot be achieved with unfair policies. Deniz S. Sert