Eloise Hardy

Europe's universities lure US academics under fire from Trump, but face similar risks Wanted: US professors for European academia. Some in Trump's America may want to flee, but threats to academic freedom are growing in the EU, too.

As Trump targets US universities, EU universities are welcoming fearful scholars. Yet finances and freedoms are under pressure here, too. Palestine, DEI and climate change drag “higher education into these political debates,” says @jjungblut.bsky.social

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Dear BlueSky

I'm working on a story this week about US academics leaving the country for Europe, as their research fields come under pressure in Trump's America.

I'd like to hear personal accounts from academics who this affects, for a piece for The Parliament Magazine. Get in touch!

Q&A: Germany’s spending spree good news for the EU — with caveats Germany’s historic shift on spending means more for defence and infrastructure. A top German economist explains what needs to happen next.

After a big concession to SPD on debt reform for infrastructure, Friedrich Merz is under pressure to get a coalition deal done in favour of CDU priorities.
In a Q&A, @diw.de’s @mfratzscher.bsky.social says the reform is good news for the EU — if spent well.

bit.ly/4iY2ECr

Baltic power play: 20-year journey to decouple from Russian grid amid energy security concerns On 8 February, the Baltic states will officially decouple from the BRELL electricity grid, linking their power to Russia and Belarus. As they join ...

On Saturday, the Baltic states will finally desynchronise from the BRELL electricity grid, which links it to Russia and Belarus. But today's geopolitical tensions mean the region is still vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure...

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

European defence summit: Key takeaways on NATO, US relations, and procurement NATO allies face a critical moment when it comes to European defence, including procurement challenges, US relations, and strategic unity.

Great to speak with @camillegrand.bsky.social from @ecfr.eu on the future of European defence in the face of uncertain US support for the transatlantic alliance.
www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

UK PM Keir Starmer meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today for talks focused on support for Ukraine. Trump 2.0 raises questions over US support for Kyiv — and the military alliance itself.

Time flies: Looking back at five years since Brexit How did we get here? February marks five years since Brexit became official. Here are some key developments since the EU-UK breakup.

How did we get here? February marks five years since Brexit became official. Here are some key developments since the EU-UK breakup.
www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Why Europe’s young generation is shifting towards far-right politics Europe’s young voters are shifting toward far-right parties, driven by frustration with mainstream politics, democratic dissatisfaction, and a desi...

In my latest piece for The Parliament, I look at what's driving the shift of young people's voting intentions towards the far right.

With 2019's Generation Greta being succeeded by the Bande de Bardella, young people's issues appear to be changing.

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Trump's second presidency and the EU As Trump is inaugurated, his second term reignites questions over the impact of his presidency on the EU.

Something I wrote back in November when Donald Trump was elected in the US. On the day of his inauguration, the EU is still grappling with what a second Trump term means for the bloc.

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Elon Musk's influence: Catalyst or symptom of EU political shifts Billionaire Elon Musk has been trying to influence European politics. Is he the cause of the decline of establishment parties, or a sign of a deepe...

It was a rough week for European politicians last week, as Elon Musk took to X to set political fires across the continent. But is Musk really causing problems for European establishment parties, or is he just a symptom something is already deeply wrong?
www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Austria’s political situation could tilt EU further right As Vienna prepares to select its first far-right chancellor since World War II, the impact of political changes in Austria are being felt in Brusse...

Q&A: In Herbert Kickl, Austria could get its first far-right chancellor since World War II. @laurenzennser.bsky.social told The Parliament Kickl would boost the EU's pro-Russian and Eurosceptic bloc, in a political turn that has Brussels on tenterhooks.
www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

How Trump's return to power could stall EU enlargement in the Balkans With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, his impact on nationalist movements in the Balkans could stall the EU's enlargement ambitions i...

As Donald Trump makes his return to the White House, his political stylings could galvanise nationalist movements in Serbia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, hindering the EU’s hopes to incorporate them into the bloc.
www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

PM Meloni: Italy's EU transatlantic bridge to Trump and Musk? Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni could get a boost of influence by acting as the EU's Trump whisperer. Yet a trade surplus with the US, low de...

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni visited US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida this weekend. Her visit adds weight to the idea Meloni could be one of Europe's leading "Trump whisperers" as he re-enters the White House.

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Voting ban reopens old divisions between Estonians and Russian citizens living in the country A proposal by Estonia to strip Russian and Belarusian citizens of their voting rights is rehashing old divisions between Estonian citizens and the ...

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...

Estonia's border with Russia, in Narva.

Ivangorod Castle, Russia

People queuing in Narva, Estonia, to get through the border into Russia. Some have business to attend to, others are visiting family.

Russian embassy in Tallinn.

As Russia's aggression in Ukraine almost enters its fourth year, a proposal by the Estonian government to ban Russians and Belarusians living in the country from voting in local elections has rehashed some complicated questions of belonging.

My latest for The Parliament Magazine - link below!

France in political crisis after no confidence vote – what's next? Michel Barnier is out as PM after a no-confidence vote. What will Macron’s next steps be to secure France’s political future – and its relationship...

Michel Barnier is out. Macron is on the hunt for another PM. What's next for the EU's second-biggest member state? Q&A with @sebastienmaillard.bsky.social

www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article...