A Dutch united left: How the Greens and Labour are building a coalition for a just green transition Published: 8 September 2023 Commentary The Dutch Greens and Labour Party are joining forces. Short-term to win the upcoming elections, form a left-wing, progressive coalition government, and reclaim the Prime Ministership. Long-term to offer a comprehensive, compelling vision for the future, in which a green well-being economy, security of existence, and social and climate justice are central. An exciting development with valuable insights for coalition-builders anywhere. By Mareike Moraal
Ethics of communicating with generative AI chatbots Published: 8 September 2023 Commentary AI chatbots like ChatGPT blur the line between human and machine, at the same time captivating minds and raising alarms. Having been swiftly integrated into search engines and programmes, these bots lack clear boundaries. Jeffrey Chan dissects the ethical challenges and environmental impacts of AI bots, as well as navigating fair AI use and the language and wisdom boundary. By Jeffrey KH Chan
The English Greens are surfing a wave of popular discontent. Can they keep going? Published: 7 September 2023 Commentary The English Greens have been celebrating big wins in local elections. Yet tensions are emerging as they try to reconcile their commitments to conservation, social justice, and new electoral opportunities. James Dennison explains how the party’s strategy is shifting. By James Dennison
Party policy: Trust will win the future Published: 5 September 2023 böll.column The crises of our time demand serious solutions from the parties instead of a return to the past. Those who do not dare to say so demonstrate the opposite of state-political responsibility. By Jan Philipp Albrecht
"of bodies new and strange" – the future of human love in the age of AI Published: 4 September 2023 Essay Aifric Campbell explores the future of love and intimacy as our attention to humans is seduced by machines. By Aifric Campbell
The long summer of 2023: Why do we need to talk about the protests in Serbia? Published: 30 August 2023 Analysis Severe heatwaves are not the only factor boiling up the atmosphere in Serbia this summer. Tens of thousands of people have been taking to the streets in a wave of protests for 12 consecutive weeks. The scale of these protests, erupting in Belgrade and spreading across almost 40 Serbian cities and towns, is the most massive wave over the last 20 years. One cannot help but wonder if the boiling tension on the streets amidst a volatile environment is a prelude to a supercell democratic storm determined to drive social change. By Tara Tepavac
Civil society proposals to reconcile trade rules with the need for regulatory action Published: 13 July 2023 Commentary When governments adopt new legislation, they need to check if their plan is in line with international agreements they signed up to. Consumer and digital rights organisations from the EU and the US are concerned that rules in trade agreements could deter domestic regulation that is in the public interest. To address this, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue organised a discussion between NGOs, public officials, parliamentarians, and academics. The NGOs aimed to raise awareness and find solutions to prevent trade rules from discouraging government action and ensure improved protection for citizens writes Léa Auffret. By Léa Auffret
Remaining on the right side of history – An interview with Gergely Karácsony, the Green Mayor of Budapest Published: 5 July 2023 Interview Gergely Karácsony talks about the financial situation of Budapest, the consequences of Covid-19 and the energy crisis, the role of the EU in ensuring the self-governance of cities, future greening projects, and the impact on Hungary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. By Anna Frenyó
We still can safeguard our freedoms Published: 28 June 2023 Commentary The catastrophic flooding in Italy shows how the climate crisis is already threatening our lives and quality of living here in Europe. We know what we need to do to slow it down. But the longer we wait, the greater the restrictions on our freedom will be in the future. By Jan Philipp Albrecht
More uncertainty ahead in Northern Ireland Published: 20 June 2023 Commentary Although the Windsor Framework was broadly welcomed in Northern Ireland as a way of avoiding the alarming prospect of a hard border with the Republic or Ireland, the Stormont Assembly is still suspended. This means the devolved government is unable to take any significant decisions. Amanda Ferguson explains why and looks at what happens next. By Amanda Ferguson