United In Diversity, Divided in Integration? The Debate of Europe’s ‘Two-Speed’ Future

By Efthimios Kounalakis Mario Draghi’s engagement with the notion of a “two-speed Europe” during the European Union Summit on 12 February 2026 reflects a growing concern that the Union risks stagnation in strategic areas of European integration unless Member States secure the political will to pursue deeper cooperation. Differentiated integration is a widely studied conceptContinue reading “United In Diversity, Divided in Integration? The Debate of Europe’s ‘Two-Speed’ Future”

Populism, Euroscepticism and the EU’s Founding Fathers: The 2025 Dutch Elections

By Joanna Tobjasz Nowadays, we can see the rise of populism and Euroscepticism in many European states. Populists are known for calling themselves the “voice of the people” and for emphasising the distinction between “us” (the ordinary people, the nation, etc.) and “them” (the elites, the EU, the newcomers, etc.). In the context of theContinue reading “Populism, Euroscepticism and the EU’s Founding Fathers: The 2025 Dutch Elections”

Opening the European Parliament’s Doors: Engaging Citizens to Address the Housing Crisis

By Edoardo Vezzoli Housing in Contemporary Europe In recent years, the current housing situation has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges across the European Union (EU). Exacerbated by the pandemic and the on-going cost-of-living crisis, housing affordability has indeed significantly worsened across EU Member States, becoming one of the most urgent concerns, ifContinue reading “Opening the European Parliament’s Doors: Engaging Citizens to Address the Housing Crisis”

Can the EU Pull Its Own Weight? “ReArm Europe” and the Obstacles to European Common Defence

By Bella Popescu Since January, the White House has undergone a whiplash pivot towards Russia in the Ukraine war–while the US won’t leave the Alliance, it also won’t come to the rescue of any European nation involved in a peacekeeping force should it be attacked by Russia. This blunder signalled the administration’s disregard for joint-assuredContinue reading “Can the EU Pull Its Own Weight? “ReArm Europe” and the Obstacles to European Common Defence”

Realignment in the South Caucasus: Navigating Power Shifts and Partnerships

By Tamta Pantsulaia The three countries in the South Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – seem to be undergoing significant changes, as events in this region have evolved quite dynamically over the past decade. Regional and external powers, particularly Russia, Turkey and China pose a significant impediment to the political coherence of the SouthContinue reading “Realignment in the South Caucasus: Navigating Power Shifts and Partnerships”

Romanian elections: The shock and its on-going aftermath.

By Bella Cezara Popescu Called off when the country faced the choice between aligning with its Western allies or risking democratic backsliding into Putin’s sphere of influence, Romania’s ongoing presidential elections have brought about several unprecedented political decisions and candidates. For example, the round held on November 24th (later annulled by the Constitutional Court) has,Continue reading “Romanian elections: The shock and its on-going aftermath.”