Free Belarus!

Andrew Keymaster

Photo by Andrew Keymaster on Unsplash The EU parliament is currently staging an exhibition on Belarusian political prisoners. The exhibition ‘Belarusian martyrology – political prisoners in Belarus’ invites visitors to get acquainted with the life stories, portraits and voices of the people who chose democracy over dictatorship. Belarusian artist Xisha Aniolowa started creating portraits of political prisoners in 2020. She…

The Proof of the Pudding

Ian Dooley

Photo by Ian Dooley on Unsplash It is said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Former Prime Minister Winston Churchill clearly endorsed this when he sent back to the kitchen a dull dessert, complaining that the pudding had no theme. It raises the question as to which pudding best represents the…

UK National Rejoin March

Jannes van den Wouwer

Photo by Jannes van den Wouwer on Unsplash A major march will be held in London later this month as part of the campaign for the UK’s eventual return to the EU. UK nationals who live and work in Europe will join people who are based in Britain on the march on 23 September. Called the “National…

Democracy Under Threat in Africa

#Random Institute,

Photo by Random Institute on Unsplash MEPs have voiced concern at the “alarming”  situation in west and central Africa for democracy. On 30 August, immediately after ballots closed in Gabon and President Ali Bongo was officially elected for a third term, a group of military officers announced his removal from office, his arrest and the…

European Parliament 2024 Elections

Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash

Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash MEPs will vote this week on the composition of the European Parliament for the 2024-2029 parliamentary term. Taking into account demographic changes in the Member States, Parliament initially proposed an updated distribution that would provide for a minimum of additional seats. This is also said to respect the principle of “degressive proportionality” without…

EU Condemns Sham Elections as Illegitimate

Photo by Lukáš Lehotský on Unsplash

Photo by Lukáš Lehotský on Unsplash The European Union says it “strongly condemns” the holding of local elections in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has “temporarily” occupied. A strongly worded statement issued on Monday called the elections “illegitimate”. They were held at the weekend in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol and in…

People at the Core of Transformation in Uzbekistan

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash In Uzbekistan, the process of democratisation of administration and decision-making is based on the will of society. A large-scale transformation, launched in 2017, today covers all areas, writes Bobur Bekmurodov. Today, it is obvious to everyone that the reforms in the country have gained momentum, and Uzbekistan has stepped into a new…

Wopke Hoekstra Nominated as Commissioner

Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash

Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash The Socialist group in the EU parliament has reacted to news reports that the outgoing Dutch government of Mark Rutte will nominate foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra as its candidate to be the country’s next European Commissioner. In a statement issued on Friday, the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament state: “As…

Politics and Asylum

Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash

Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash Over the past century the UK has had a proud record of accepting refugees and asylum seekers. Just like today there were often loud voices against, but the Prime Ministers of the time had the courage of their convictions and made them welcome.  After the second world war and the resettlement of…