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Reposted by Jeremy Cliffe

Nicolai von Ondarza @nvondarza.bsky.social · 1h

According to @table.media, tensions between the EPP and S&D in the European Parliament have become so big that national leaders are starting to intervene, including an exchange on the 'incapacity to act' of the EP with @president.europarl.europa.eu, and Merz & Sanchez mediating Weber & Garcia Perez.

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Jana Kobzova @jkobzova.bsky.social · 2d

Still one of the best analyses of what #Russia’s recent local elections mean for the west, by @kominmo.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu

ECFR @ecfr.eu · 17d

The rising prominence of veterans of the war in Ukraine will widen Russia’s elite coalition pushing for continued confrontation with the West, writes Mikhail Komin @ecfrpower.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/41ZOv1o

From battlefield to ballot box: Why Russia is drafting war veterans into politics

The rising prominence of veterans of the war in Ukraine will widen Russia’s elite coalition pushing for continued confrontation with the West…

bit.ly

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Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 1d

Macron is considering bringing the Chinese into a discussion on global imbalances as part of France’s G7 presidency next year, @noahbarkin reports

www.gmfus.org/news/w...

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

It was certainly my starting point. What was the line that set you off?

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ECFR @ecfr.eu · 1d

Meloni aims to redefine Italy’s relationship with countries to its south by creating equal partnerships with partner states. This also involves enhancing the role of the private sector, write @kellyp90.bsky.social and @arturovarvelli.bsky.social @ecfrmena.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/42r0HbI

The turtle and the pilot fish: How the EU and Italy can help each other in the Mediterranean

Italy and the EU must work more closely together in the “Wider Mediterranean” on energy, migration and security. Here’s how they can do it.

bit.ly

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

But somehow, the scrappy Spanish winger is the one who scored the goals... ;)

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

Spain under Sánchez was a decisive player in NextGenEU. It led the way on Gaza/Israel (influencing other Europeans on Palestinian recognition, who in turn seem to have influenced Trump). On Ukraine, Spain obviously isn't a leader, but its financial aid (€571m) exceeds much-praised Italy's (€410m).

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

Then we're debating the meaning of "project"! In my book - and especially in today's world - getting a lot of things right and being in power long enough to make them happen clear that bar.

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

I just think this is grading Spain on a lesser scale. Can you *imagine* the global admiration if a French president or British prime minister had achieved what he has?!

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

Hi Diego! I agree with your analysis (Sánchez's opportunism and response to Vox are central to his premiership) but disagree with your premise (that those do not amount - along with major social reforms and a progressive foreign policy - to a coherent Spanish social-democratic "project").

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

There are obvious differences between France and Spain, but none quite obviates the comparison. One leader tried to bridge the political centre and the neoliberal-authoritarian right; another has (however imperfectly) bridged the political centre and the emancipatory left.

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

Sánchez came to power in 2018 as a dead man walking. He has only ever led wobbly minority coalitions. Yet he has built a strong left-leaning project rooted in its own achievements: public investment, secure work, social openness. The result is a remarkably resilient government and a booming economy.

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

Macron won near-total power in 2017 (presidency + legislative dominance). He gave grand, sweeping speeches - but sought his majorities to the right, while the horizons of his project became gradually smaller. Today's France is marked by social unrest, political instability and a troubled economy.

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

There's a fascinating case study to be done on the different strategies of Macron and Sánchez. Both emerged, against the odds, from centrist milieux in the mid-2010s to lead their countries since 2017/18. But their fates are totally different.

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Sacha de Wijs @sachadewijs.bsky.social · 1d

Must-read @ecfr.eu : Putin’s Valdai speech marks a shift. He brands Europe “enemy #1”, vows more military pressure, backs far-right parties & steps up info warfare — while praising Trump as a model.
Europe must reinforce defence and resilience !

ecfr.eu/article/enem...

Enemy number one: What Putin’s foreign policy speech says about Europe

At this year’s Valdai club, Vladimir Putin gave his most anti-EU speech yet, citing his determination to see new anti-establishment politicians to come to power and improve Europe’s relations with…

ecfr.eu

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Kaj Leers @kajleers.bsky.social · 1d

Ooo, very good piece indeed @adamtooze.bsky.social. Macron reminds me very much of former Dutch Labour leader Wouter Bos, another one of those in their 30s or 40s who can't point to one or another ideology from history they adhere to, but also can't point to any anchor which replaced it.

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

On which, this by @adamtooze.bsky.social is a timely read:

adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...

Chartbook 411 The twilight of Macronisme: Jean Pisani-Ferry's cri de cœur.

A decoration ceremony is like a funeral oration with a right of reply.

adamtooze.substack.com

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 1d

What a shambles. And illustrative of the fundamental structural weakness of the Macron project: its failure to incorporate the social-democratic left.

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 2d

Breaking news: France’s prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has resigned after rightwing allies indicated they would withdraw from his government. on.ft.com/4gWxifm

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 2d

Macron: "We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies"

defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

"Europeans, let's wake up!" — Defend Democracy

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

defenddemocracy.eu

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ECFR MENA @ecfrmena.bsky.social · 4d

NEW piece unpacking the security & governance dimensions of Trump's Gaza plan - and outlining necessary benchmarks & guarantees, especially on an Israeli withdrawal, for any hope of success - new by @hlovatt.bsky.social & @muhammadshehada.bsky.social ecfr.eu/article/an-i...

An imperfect promise: Where Trump’s peace plan for Gaza falls short

Trump’s peace plan could finally bring an end to Israel’s destruction of Gaza. But gaps in timing, guarantees, and last-minute Israeli amendments risk failure unless European and Arab states intervene...

ecfr.eu

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 3d

On 1/ this 2023 paper is interesting on why "Czech democratic resilience stands out in Central Europe" (though authors don't rule out "greater polarisation" in the event of Babis returning to power, as it now appears he will). ⬇️

www.researchgate.net/publication/...

(PDF) How Czech Democracy Defies the Illiberal Trend

PDF | Democratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland has raised questions as to whether Czech politics would follow a similar path. Focusing on... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Rese...

www.researchgate.net

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 3d

Worth nuancing (valid) worries about Babis-led Czechia joining Hungary & Slovakia in trio of EU spoiler states + democratic backsliders.

1/ Czech institutions strong
2/ Babis's ANO has backed off some prior pro-🇷🇺🇨🇳 positions
3/ ANO not all-mighty; will form minority govt or lead fractious coalition

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 3d

BREAKING: Populist Czech billionaire Andrej Babis has won a parliamentary election, marking a political comeback.

Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš wins Czech parliamentary election, official results show

Populist Czech billionaire Andrej Babiš has won a parliamentary election, marking a political comeback.

bit.ly

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Omar Khan @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social · 5d

The area of Manchester where the horrific antisemitic attack took place is one of the few in the UK where Jewish & Muslim ppl both live in large numbers. We must learn from & follow how these communities support each other, as we condemn the attack & send love & solidarity to Jews across the UK

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The New Yorker @newyorker.com · 5d

While others wrung riches from the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee assumed the mantle of moral authority, fighting to safeguard the web’s openness and promote equitable access. Can he do it again?

Tim Berners-Lee Invented the World Wide Web. Now He Wants to Save It

In 1989, Sir Tim revolutionized the online world. Today, in the era of misinformation, addictive algorithms, and extractive monopolies, he thinks he can do it again.

www.newyorker.com

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Jeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 5d

I disagree with parts of this (Fukuyama hugely underplays "cause #1") but agree best explanation for populism's 2010s-20s surge is social media.

There's an optimism for Europe in his thesis: we're the continent that sets democratic limits on digital giants.

www.persuasion.community/p/its-the-in...

It’s the Internet, Stupid

What caused the global populist wave? Blame the screens.

www.persuasion.community

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