Christophe Christiaens
@chchristiaens.bsky.social
Twitter exile.
Brompton evangelist and speciality coffee drinker. Day job in Public Affairs. Alumnus @collegeofeurope. Posts in English and Dutch. My views only; RT≠endorse
Brompton evangelist and speciality coffee drinker. Day job in Public Affairs. Alumnus @collegeofeurope. Posts in English and Dutch. My views only; RT≠endorse
Pinned
(Migrating some Twitter threads to BS)
With the #Holocaust Memorial day coming up (27 January, follow @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social ), I wanted to share a personal story from 2019.
In short, I found out that my parents-in-law in #Slovakia live on the site of a WW2 concentration camp (sort of).
With the #Holocaust Memorial day coming up (27 January, follow @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social ), I wanted to share a personal story from 2019.
In short, I found out that my parents-in-law in #Slovakia live on the site of a WW2 concentration camp (sort of).
Next week is #HolocaustRemembranceDay, do follow
@auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
for more background on this.
I wanted to follow up on a story I a couple of weeks ago on the tragic history of the lost Jewish community in my wife's hometown of Nove Mesto Nad Vahom in #Slovakia.
@auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social
for more background on this.
I wanted to follow up on a story I a couple of weeks ago on the tragic history of the lost Jewish community in my wife's hometown of Nove Mesto Nad Vahom in #Slovakia.
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Zeitenwende.
In 2020, 56% of Germans said they perceive Germany's security situation much better or somewhat better compared to between 1949 and 1990.
In 2025 that number has shrunk to 23% - and 53% say its much worse or somewhat worse.
In 2020, 56% of Germans said they perceive Germany's security situation much better or somewhat better compared to between 1949 and 1990.
In 2025 that number has shrunk to 23% - and 53% say its much worse or somewhat worse.
December 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Zeitenwende.
In 2020, 56% of Germans said they perceive Germany's security situation much better or somewhat better compared to between 1949 and 1990.
In 2025 that number has shrunk to 23% - and 53% say its much worse or somewhat worse.
In 2020, 56% of Germans said they perceive Germany's security situation much better or somewhat better compared to between 1949 and 1990.
In 2025 that number has shrunk to 23% - and 53% say its much worse or somewhat worse.
The current anthem of the #EUbubble in Brussels on everything Automotive and on Omnibus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPfe...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPfe...
Adele - Rumour Has It (Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Adele - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The current anthem of the #EUbubble in Brussels on everything Automotive and on Omnibus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPfe...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPfe...
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
“Each FLM 136, also known as Lucas, costs $35,000, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command. The MQ-9 Reaper drones cost an estimated $16 million”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Pentagon Deploys New Kamikaze Drone Copied From Iranian Design
An American defense company, SpektreWorks, has produced a cheap drone that is similar to Iran’s Shahed device.
www.wsj.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“Each FLM 136, also known as Lucas, costs $35,000, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command. The MQ-9 Reaper drones cost an estimated $16 million”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
France is at risk of ending the year without a budget deal as former French Prime Minister and current presidential candidate Edouard Philippe shapes up to be a major obstacle to the current government, despite their nominal alliance.
France risks ending year without budget as former Macron ally Philippe pulls support
“What an asshole,” one minister reacted.
www.politico.eu
December 3, 2025 at 7:29 PM
France is at risk of ending the year without a budget deal as former French Prime Minister and current presidential candidate Edouard Philippe shapes up to be a major obstacle to the current government, despite their nominal alliance.
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
3 December 1942 | A transport of some 1,000 Jews deported from the ghetto in Płońsk arrived at Auschwitz. After arrival selection, 347 men were registered in the camp. The remaining 653 people were murdered in gas chambers.
December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
3 December 1942 | A transport of some 1,000 Jews deported from the ghetto in Płońsk arrived at Auschwitz. After arrival selection, 347 men were registered in the camp. The remaining 653 people were murdered in gas chambers.
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Breaking: the EU has formally terminated its WTO case against China over the coercion of Lithuania
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Breaking: the EU has formally terminated its WTO case against China over the coercion of Lithuania
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
This blockbuster case came after Lithuania opened a controversially named Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
6 December 1937 | A Dutch Jewish boy, Sallo de Vries, was born in Borculo.
He was deported to #Auschwitz in October 1942. He was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
Video about the first two gas chambers created near Auschwitz II-Birkenau: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
He was deported to #Auschwitz in October 1942. He was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
Video about the first two gas chambers created near Auschwitz II-Birkenau: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
December 1, 2025 at 3:00 PM
6 December 1937 | A Dutch Jewish boy, Sallo de Vries, was born in Borculo.
He was deported to #Auschwitz in October 1942. He was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
Video about the first two gas chambers created near Auschwitz II-Birkenau: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
He was deported to #Auschwitz in October 1942. He was murdered in a gas chamber after the selection.
---
Video about the first two gas chambers created near Auschwitz II-Birkenau: https://youtu.be/Rr6lF75fDmU
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
'Small changes to the tone of posts fed to users of X can increase feelings of political polarisation as much in a week as would have historically taken at least three years, research has found.' 1/3
Small changes to ‘for you’ feed on X can rapidly increase political polarisation
Study finds that a week of political content can bring about a shift in views that previously would have taken three years
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:32 AM
'Small changes to the tone of posts fed to users of X can increase feelings of political polarisation as much in a week as would have historically taken at least three years, research has found.' 1/3
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Macron's popularity rating is now scraping the ocean floor
How popular are national leaders in Western Europe? Nov 2025
🇩🇰 Frederiksen: -20 net
🇮🇹 Meloni: -20
🇪🇸 Sánchez: -27
🇩🇪 Merz: -40
🇬🇧 Starmer: -55
🇫🇷 Macron: -67
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
🇩🇰 Frederiksen: -20 net
🇮🇹 Meloni: -20
🇪🇸 Sánchez: -27
🇩🇪 Merz: -40
🇬🇧 Starmer: -55
🇫🇷 Macron: -67
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
December 1, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Macron's popularity rating is now scraping the ocean floor
After my 2y3m old #samsung S22 bricked itself (over a common motherboard failure) I’m on the market for a new android #smartphone
probably not a Samsung anymore - what should I look at? pixel 10?
@ljosmyndun.bsky.social @yorickdupon.com @pieterhaeck.bsky.social @pieterjanvl.bsky.social
probably not a Samsung anymore - what should I look at? pixel 10?
@ljosmyndun.bsky.social @yorickdupon.com @pieterhaeck.bsky.social @pieterjanvl.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
After my 2y3m old #samsung S22 bricked itself (over a common motherboard failure) I’m on the market for a new android #smartphone
probably not a Samsung anymore - what should I look at? pixel 10?
@ljosmyndun.bsky.social @yorickdupon.com @pieterhaeck.bsky.social @pieterjanvl.bsky.social
probably not a Samsung anymore - what should I look at? pixel 10?
@ljosmyndun.bsky.social @yorickdupon.com @pieterhaeck.bsky.social @pieterjanvl.bsky.social
Wit-Gele Kruis klaagt 'heksenjacht' tegen thuisverplegers aan: "Hele sector wordt als verdacht neergezet"
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
Wit-Gele Kruis klaagt 'heksenjacht' tegen thuisverplegers aan: "Hele sector wordt als verdacht neergezet" | VRT NWS: nieuws
Het Wit-Gele Kruis roept in een open brief op om thuisverpleegkundigen niet te behandelen als boemannen. Na de zaak van een thuisverpleegkundige in Houthulst, die mogelijk grootschalige fraude gepleeg...
www.vrt.be
November 30, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Wit-Gele Kruis klaagt 'heksenjacht' tegen thuisverplegers aan: "Hele sector wordt als verdacht neergezet"
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Dangerous socialist or hitting one of the biggest problems with modern economies, that life is just getting too hard for small businesses and that saps energy from the market? Feels like EU and UK policy makers should be taking notice rather than the same old tired talk.
Soon small businesses won’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to get attention from their Mayor.
Some changes that they can look forward to:
Some changes that they can look forward to:
November 30, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Dangerous socialist or hitting one of the biggest problems with modern economies, that life is just getting too hard for small businesses and that saps energy from the market? Feels like EU and UK policy makers should be taking notice rather than the same old tired talk.
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Voorlopig het meest Franse nieuws van de dag, sacre bleu. 🇫🇷
Dieven stelen volledige eindejaarsvoorraad escargots van Franse slakkenboer: "Resultaat van een jaar werk" vrtnws.be/p.YbGA7w5n4?t=176... @vrtnws.be
Dieven stelen volledige eindejaarsvoorraad escargots van Franse slakkenboer: "Resultaat van een jaar werk"
vrtnws.be
November 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Voorlopig het meest Franse nieuws van de dag, sacre bleu. 🇫🇷
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
A new mural has appeared in Ternopil, dedicated to children killed in Russia’s attack.
The artwork, showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile, was created by artist Andriy Yermolenko. He described it as “a cry for help to the global community.”
The artwork, showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile, was created by artist Andriy Yermolenko. He described it as “a cry for help to the global community.”
November 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
A new mural has appeared in Ternopil, dedicated to children killed in Russia’s attack.
The artwork, showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile, was created by artist Andriy Yermolenko. He described it as “a cry for help to the global community.”
The artwork, showing a child shielding her toys from a Russian missile, was created by artist Andriy Yermolenko. He described it as “a cry for help to the global community.”
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Aangrijpend verhaal over post-covidpatiënten die soms al 1000 dagen in het donker liggen. Hulp is er nauwelijks. www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v...
667 dagen in het donker: hoe postcovidpatiënten uit de maatschappij verdwenen
Ze leven achter gesloten gordijnen, aan bed gekluisterd. Voor de allerziekste postcovidpatiënten in Nederland is er nog steeds geen passende hulp of zicht op genezing. Vier van hen gunden ons een blik...
www.volkskrant.nl
November 29, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Aangrijpend verhaal over post-covidpatiënten die soms al 1000 dagen in het donker liggen. Hulp is er nauwelijks. www.volkskrant.nl/kijkverder/v...
En ja dat is goed nieuws
'Aardgas duurder, stroom goedkoper: levert een warmtepomp je dan meer op? “Het verschil loopt op tot 455 euro”'
www.hln.be/mijn-geld/aa...
'Aardgas duurder, stroom goedkoper: levert een warmtepomp je dan meer op? “Het verschil loopt op tot 455 euro”'
www.hln.be/mijn-geld/aa...
Aardgas duurder, stroom goedkoper: levert een warmtepomp je dan meer op? “Het verschil loopt op tot 455 euro”
De komende jaren betaal je meer voor aardgas en minder voor elektriciteit. De verantwoordelijken zijn het nieuwe begrotingsakkoord, een nieuwe Europese taks en oplopende nettarieven. Wie nu nog een (o...
www.hln.be
November 29, 2025 at 8:31 AM
En ja dat is goed nieuws
'Aardgas duurder, stroom goedkoper: levert een warmtepomp je dan meer op? “Het verschil loopt op tot 455 euro”'
www.hln.be/mijn-geld/aa...
'Aardgas duurder, stroom goedkoper: levert een warmtepomp je dan meer op? “Het verschil loopt op tot 455 euro”'
www.hln.be/mijn-geld/aa...
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Italy, Istituto Ixè poll:
FdI-ECR: 30% (+1)
PD-S&D: 22%
M5S-LEFT: 13% (-1)
FI-EPP: 9%
LEGA-PfE: 8%
AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 7% (+1)
Azione-RE: 3%
IV-RE: 3% (+1)
+E-RE: 2%
NM-EPP: 1%
+/- vs. 22-26 September 2025
Fieldwork: 20-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
FdI-ECR: 30% (+1)
PD-S&D: 22%
M5S-LEFT: 13% (-1)
FI-EPP: 9%
LEGA-PfE: 8%
AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 7% (+1)
Azione-RE: 3%
IV-RE: 3% (+1)
+E-RE: 2%
NM-EPP: 1%
+/- vs. 22-26 September 2025
Fieldwork: 20-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
November 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Italy, Istituto Ixè poll:
FdI-ECR: 30% (+1)
PD-S&D: 22%
M5S-LEFT: 13% (-1)
FI-EPP: 9%
LEGA-PfE: 8%
AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 7% (+1)
Azione-RE: 3%
IV-RE: 3% (+1)
+E-RE: 2%
NM-EPP: 1%
+/- vs. 22-26 September 2025
Fieldwork: 20-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
FdI-ECR: 30% (+1)
PD-S&D: 22%
M5S-LEFT: 13% (-1)
FI-EPP: 9%
LEGA-PfE: 8%
AVS-LEFT|G/EFA: 7% (+1)
Azione-RE: 3%
IV-RE: 3% (+1)
+E-RE: 2%
NM-EPP: 1%
+/- vs. 22-26 September 2025
Fieldwork: 20-27 November 2025
Sample size: 1,000
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Austria, Market poll:
FPÖ-PfE: 38%
ÖVP-EPP: 19%
SPÖ-S&D: 18%
NEOS-RE: 10% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 10% (-1)
KPÖ-LEFT: 2%
+/- vs. 17-18 November 2025
Fieldwork: 24-25 November 2025
Sample size: 2,000
➤ europeelects.eu/austria
FPÖ-PfE: 38%
ÖVP-EPP: 19%
SPÖ-S&D: 18%
NEOS-RE: 10% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 10% (-1)
KPÖ-LEFT: 2%
+/- vs. 17-18 November 2025
Fieldwork: 24-25 November 2025
Sample size: 2,000
➤ europeelects.eu/austria
November 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Austria, Market poll:
FPÖ-PfE: 38%
ÖVP-EPP: 19%
SPÖ-S&D: 18%
NEOS-RE: 10% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 10% (-1)
KPÖ-LEFT: 2%
+/- vs. 17-18 November 2025
Fieldwork: 24-25 November 2025
Sample size: 2,000
➤ europeelects.eu/austria
FPÖ-PfE: 38%
ÖVP-EPP: 19%
SPÖ-S&D: 18%
NEOS-RE: 10% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 10% (-1)
KPÖ-LEFT: 2%
+/- vs. 17-18 November 2025
Fieldwork: 24-25 November 2025
Sample size: 2,000
➤ europeelects.eu/austria
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
France, Verian poll:
Presidential election
Bardella (RN-PfE): 36.5%
Philippe (HOR-RE): 17%
Glucksmann (PS/PP-S&D): 13%
Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 12%
Retailleau (LR-EPP): 7.5%
Tondelier (LÉ-Greens/EFA): 5%
...
Fieldwork: 18-20 November 2025
Sample size: 938
➤ europeelects.eu/france
Presidential election
Bardella (RN-PfE): 36.5%
Philippe (HOR-RE): 17%
Glucksmann (PS/PP-S&D): 13%
Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 12%
Retailleau (LR-EPP): 7.5%
Tondelier (LÉ-Greens/EFA): 5%
...
Fieldwork: 18-20 November 2025
Sample size: 938
➤ europeelects.eu/france
November 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
France, Verian poll:
Presidential election
Bardella (RN-PfE): 36.5%
Philippe (HOR-RE): 17%
Glucksmann (PS/PP-S&D): 13%
Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 12%
Retailleau (LR-EPP): 7.5%
Tondelier (LÉ-Greens/EFA): 5%
...
Fieldwork: 18-20 November 2025
Sample size: 938
➤ europeelects.eu/france
Presidential election
Bardella (RN-PfE): 36.5%
Philippe (HOR-RE): 17%
Glucksmann (PS/PP-S&D): 13%
Mélenchon (LFI-LEFT): 12%
Retailleau (LR-EPP): 7.5%
Tondelier (LÉ-Greens/EFA): 5%
...
Fieldwork: 18-20 November 2025
Sample size: 938
➤ europeelects.eu/france
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
What a great headline
November 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What a great headline
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Putting Pompeii's pieces together, with the help of a robot reut.rs/4pBkXAn
Putting Pompeii's pieces together, with the help of a robot
Pompeii's ancient Roman frescoes, shattered and buried for centuries, could get a second life thanks to a pioneering robotic system designed to support archaeologists in one of their most painstaking tasks: reassembling fragmented artefacts.
reut.rs
November 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Putting Pompeii's pieces together, with the help of a robot reut.rs/4pBkXAn
Reposted by Christophe Christiaens
Fun piece by @emmavj.bsky.social on office blunders:
The horror of the work blunder
Few mishaps compare to leaking a Budget, but many employees can relate to the OBR slip-up this week
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Fun piece by @emmavj.bsky.social on office blunders: