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Michele Fenzl

@mfenzl.bsky.social

2.9K followers 1K following 140 posts

Asst Professor (tenured) of political science @Maastricht. Previously postdoc in Zurich; PhD in Govt from Essex. Interested in political behaviour, political economy, comparative politics, EP elections, and everything experiments.

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Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Nov 29

Over the moon to share a (short)🧵 about my recent EJPR article on here.

In the study, I investigate the relationship between the shadow economy and a key aspect of democracy: government responsiveness to public opinion.

ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

A shadow on democracy? The shadow economy and government responsiveness

You have to enable JavaScript in your browser's settings in order to use the eReader.

ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Reposted by Michele Fenzl

POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 7d

Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza this evening as it approached Palestinian territory.

Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg and MEPs

The flotilla set sail in August and has pro-Palestine activists from around the world on board.

www.politico.eu

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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 8d

A recent call for a multimillion-euro program run by the EU’s top research council saw a fivefold increase in US-based applicants seeking to relocate to European institutions to pursue their research ambitions.

Top US researchers rush to relocate to Europe

US-based applicants to a prestigious EU research scheme have increased five-fold.

ow.ly

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Reposted by Michele Fenzl

Filipe Campante @filipecampante.bsky.social · 8d

I'm of the view that, when @adamprz.bsky.social writes about democracy, we should pay a lot of attention... adamprzeworski.substack.com/p/musings-1

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POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · Sep 4

The EU’s most prominent hard-right pressure group has received millions of euros in financial support from sources linked to Hungary’s populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, new financial disclosures show.

Orbán’s favorite Brussels think tank received millions from Budapest, new figures reveal

MCC Brussels has received more than €6 million in funding to influence debate on public policy.

www.politico.eu

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Luana Russo @luanarusso.bsky.social · Sep 3

Today I found in my pigeonhole 📬 the printed version of the Handbook of Affective Polarization! 😍
Thanks again to the wonderful editors @marianotorcal.bsky.social & @eelcoharteveld.bsky.social
Best bit: you do not need to buy it! It is accessible open access 👉 www.elgaronline.com/edcollbook-o...

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Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Aug 29

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Reposted by Michele Fenzl

The Economist @economist.com · Aug 14

To date, 186 journalists in Gaza have been killed since the war began, according to a monitor in New York—a higher rate than in any conflict since its records began in 1992

The killing of journalists in Gaza

Almost 200 journalists have now been killed in Gaza

econ.st

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Eric Topol @erictopol.bsky.social · Aug 14

Defending US democracy: the role of scientists
@science.org
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

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Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Aug 14

📌

Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Aug 14

🚨🚨- PHD OPPORTUNITY - 🚨🚨

I am excited to open a PhD position! How does rising inequality reshape media and democratic politics? If you are curious to answer this question, apply by September 15! You will be working with me and Luana Russo in beautiful Maastricht!

Details at: tinyurl.com/mpzfk5me

PhD Candidate on Political Economy/Political Behaviour

tinyurl.com

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Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Aug 13

📌

Reposted by Michele Fenzl

European Journal of Political Research @ejprjournal.bsky.social · Aug 13

🌅📙 64.3

A shadow on democracy? 😶🌫️

@mfenzl.bsky.social demonstrates the importance of studying the political impacts of the #ShadowEconomy bringing to light 💡 the impact on welfare systems and #Taxation rates 💲📈

🔗

A shadow on democracy? The shadow economy and government responsiveness

MICHELE FENZL

ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Anna-Kaisa Itkonen @akispox.bsky.social · Jul 7

🔔 Got thoughts about cars, vans and their CO2-emissions? Let us hear them! Public consultation just opened. Details below. 🇪🇺🚗🚐🇪🇺

Commission launches public consultation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and on car labelling

The Commission has launched a public consultation on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans and the Car Labelling Directive. Citizens and stakeholders can help shape the EU’s path to cleaner vehicle...

climate.ec.europa.eu

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Miriam Sorace @miriamsorace.bsky.social · Jun 25

Cannot wait for my organised panel on economic and political inequalities tomorrow - with contributions from @madselk.bsky.social @mfenzl.bsky.social @breunig.bsky.social and Matthew Shaikh - if you’re interested in the politics of inequality do join us!! #EPSA2025

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Silvia Merler @smerler.bsky.social · Jun 23

The international monetary system is changing before our eyes. Germany and Italy pressed to bring gold home from US; a survey of more than 70 global central banks showed more were thinking of storing their gold domestically amid concerns about ability to access it.

www.ft.com/content/e393...

Germany and Italy pressed to bring $245bn of gold home from US

Trump’s attacks on the Fed and growing geopolitical risks reignite public debate about repatriating bullion

www.ft.com

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Reposted by Michele Fenzl

Philip Bump @pbump.com · Jun 19

I asked ICE where the “413% increase in assaults” justification for its officers using masks came from. They didn’t answer. So I dug into it, and what I found … did not boost their argument.
Gift link: wapo.st/4l7a1ch

Opinion | Parsing ICE’s mixed-up, hard-to-believe assault claims

ICE officials keep touting a 413 percent increase in assaults on officers to justify officers masking their identities.

wapo.st

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Michele Fenzl @mfenzl.bsky.social · Jun 14

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Reposted by Michele Fenzl

WIRED @wired.com · Jun 14

As Trump deploys thousands of troops in response to ICE protests, people across America are also planning on attending rallies and demonstrations.

Here's a WIRED guide on protesting safely.

How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid

If you’re planning to hit the streets, here’s what you need to know.

wrd.cm

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Tim Onion @bencollins.bsky.social · Jun 13

If you'll allow me to say it, The Onion is cooking with gas today.

Kristi Noem: Sen. Padilla Had Even Deadlier Opinion That Failed To Go Off

LOS ANGELES—Stressing that she had significant reason to fear for her life during yesterday’s confrontation, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters Friday that she believed Sen. Alex P...

theonion.com

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The Guardian @theguardian.com · Jun 1

Palestinians gunned down while trying to reach food aid site in Gaza, hospital says

Witnesses say Israeli forces opened fire on people near distribution point run by Israel-backed foundation More than 20 people were killed on Sunday as they went to receive food at an aid distribution point set up by an Israeli-backed foundation in the Gaza Strip, according to a hospital run by the Red Cross that received the bodies. Witnesses told the Associated Press that Israeli forces had opened fire on people as they headed toward the aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). “There were many martyrs, including women,” the 40-year-old resident said. “We were about 300 metres away from the military.” Continue reading...

www.theguardian.com

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Dr. Sven-Eric Jordt #TobRegSky @sejordt.bsky.social · May 31

NIH stops development of HIV vaccine, terminates grants to consortia, including at Duke University.

www.science.org/content/arti...

‘Devasting.’ NIH cancels future funding plans for HIV vaccine consortia

Researchers decry agency’s decision just as new leads reinvigorate search for long-sought vaccine

www.science.org

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Malachy Browne @malachy.bsky.social · May 30

"The starvation of Gaza can be measured in the jutting ribs of a 6-year-old girl."

So begins Vivian Yee's report. Don't look away.

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...

In Emaciated Children, Gaza’s Hunger Is Laid Bare

www.nytimes.com

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Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · May 27

Openly and lawlessly persecuting a private organization for standing up to the authoritarian leader

Jamie Gangel @jamiegangel.bsky.social · May 27

New: “The Trump administration is set to cancel the federal government’s remaining federal contracts with Harvard University — worth an estimated $100 million, according to a letter that is being sent to federal agencies on Tuesday.”
@nytimes.com

www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...

Trump Intends to Cancel All Federal Funds Directed at Harvard

www.nytimes.com

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Dave Keating @davekeating.substack.com · May 27

20 out of the 27 EU countries today signed a declaration condemning Viktor Orban's ban on pride parades in Hungary.

The map very much resembles the old iron curtain divide, with the glaring exception of 🇮🇹Italy which has joined with Hungary and 5 other Eastern European countries in refusing to sign.

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Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · May 26

Some cool visualizations in this viral NYT piece, but I think it's less informative than its virality would make you think

Counties are big enough to cause major ecological problems (vs, eg, Catalist's use of tracts)

Composition of county electorates fluctuates ~as much via turnout over the period

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