This episode is an outline regarding the instability of the Italian government, the domestic role of Mario Draghi and the European perspective on his potential leadership role in the post-Merkel era. Panel: Sanjin Alagic, Andrea Bottazzi & Luca Bottazzi Listen here: Produced by: Sanjin Alagic
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Fuelled the Fire of New Conspiracy Theories
Since the storming of the U.S. Capitol, QAnon has flourished as a widely-known conspiracy theorist cult. Its followers believe that paedophiles control media and politics and that a deep state – where a hidden government rules over the legitimate elected body – has been created in the United States. They
Eurovision: Politics Seeps In
On 18 May 2019, Duncan Laurence lifted the Eurovision trophy for the Netherlands. His ballad Arcade gave the Dutch their first win in forty-four years. The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) might have been hoping for a quieter contest in Rotterdam – but it looks set to be anything but. The
Rap, threats, and freedom of expression
On the 3rd of March 2021, the Swedish supreme court ruled that the musician and rapper Frej Larsson would not be convicted for threatening a public servant in his song “Då ska hon skjutas” (Eng.: “Then, she will be shot”). The song includes explicitly threatening lyrics about specific police officers,
By UPF Webzine Articles/Conflict/Europe/Human Rights/International Relations/Leaders/Middle East/Realities of Human Security/UPF Yemen’s crisis: seven years of bombstorms, seven years of stalemate
Ibrahem Qasim, Wikimedia Commons Ten years ago, an unprecedented wave of social movements, sparked by weariness, hope, and a yearning for liberty and justice, led to the uprooting of several autocratic regimes in the Arab world. The mantra “the people want the fall of the regime” inspired millions of people to
By UPF Webzine Activism/Articles/Asia/Climate Change/Culture/Economy And Trade/Environment/Europe/Lobbying/Progressive Politics/UPF It’s not Smooth Sailing for Japanese Whaling
Global Panorama, Flickr On April 3rd, 2021, four whaling vessels left Ishinomaki and Hachinohe on Japan’s eastern coast. In June, they will be joined by a fifth vessel. These boats are setting out to partake in a highly controversial practice – commercial whaling. This practice has been halted worldwide since
The People Have Spoken – The Effects of Direct Democracy in Switzerland
On the 7th of March 2021, a controversial referendum was held in Switzerland. The outcome was that Swiss citizens voted for a ban of full facial coverings in public, passing by 51.2% to 48.8%. This measure was popularised by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) who campaigned with slogans such
Germany’s Super Election Year – What comes after Merkel?
Simon Varwell, Flickr The pandemic might have eclipsed some important upcoming political events, but with only six months left until the parliamentary elections to the German Bundestag, tension is mounting in Germany and amongst curious onlookers. The parliamentary elections on September 26th, 2021 will not only lead to a new
Meet the British Anti-Vaxxers
U.S. Secretary of Defence, Flickr All names and locations in this article have been changed. The UK is among the countries hardest hit by Covid-19. Now, a herculean vaccination programme is bringing the end of the UK epidemic into view. But some still steadfastly refuse to take the jab. UPF
“Workers of the world, unite!” – A Look at Trade Unions in the EU
Terence McCormack, Flickr For many decades now, “workers” – or employees – have been organising themselves in unions in order to campaign for better working conditions. Today, trade unions are perceived by many as somewhat distant and top-down. It is sometimes unclear what their aims are and it can feel