Month: May 2023

Twitter Pulls Out of EU’s Anti-Disinformation Code

While abiding by the Code is voluntary, the same does not apply to the EU’s new content moderation rulebook, the Digital Services Act. Regarding the latter, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton warned: “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

Portugal’s National Revolution—97 Years Later

Those who set the direction of what came to be called the National Revolution didn’t quite know what they wanted, but they certainly knew what they didn’t want: the growing radicalisation and constitutional crises, against a threatening backdrop of Communism, seen elsewhere in postwar Europe.

EU as Arbiter of Ideological Elegance?

The EU’s messianic reflex is all the more worrying considering that Brussels recently acquired a formidable weapon with imprecise contours: financial conditionality.

Eurostat: Afghans and Syrians Drive EU Asylum Surge

Eurostat: Afghans and Syrians Drive EU Asylum Surge

The asylum surge into the EU continues unabated as 76,505 first-time asylum applicants arrived in Europe in February 2023.

May 27, 2023
EU Council President Atones for Overspending by Spending More

EU Council President Atones for Overspending by Spending More

After being accused of taking too many private flights, Michel wants to buy carbon credits to fly even more. Because Europeans care more about pollution than their taxes being spent unnecessarily, right?

May 27, 2023
UK: Tories Oversee Record Levels of Net Migration

UK: Tories Oversee Record Levels of Net Migration

Various Tory prime ministers, first David Cameron, then Boris Johnson, then Liz Truss, then Rishi Sunak, have promised British voters to drastically reduce immigration, and they have all failed, purposefully or not, to deliver.

May 27, 2023
Spain’s Local Elections Echo Internationally

Spain’s Local Elections Echo Internationally

Spain’s local elections are setting the stage for general elections in December.

May 27, 2023
Mass Migration As Ideological Fetish

Mass Migration As Ideological Fetish

“We cannot establish numbers [of immigrants to be received], as this will depend on the needs of Spain’s labour market,” said the Spanish PM.

No German Recession (Not Yet)

No German Recession (Not Yet)

Based on Eurostat numbers, it is inaccurate to declare the German economy in recession.

May 26, 2023
NatCon UK: How a ‘Confidence-Building’ Conservative Conference Left Me Dejected

NatCon UK: How a ‘Confidence-Building’ Conservative Conference Left Me Dejected

Why were speaking slots given to representatives of the party that has done the most to stab conservatives in the back? Why did no one kick up a fuss?

May 26, 2023
The ‘Dark Side’ of Turning Digital: A European Conservative Event

The ‘Dark Side’ of Turning Digital: A European Conservative Event

Speakers noted that there is a risk that the increasing push towards digital dominance will make European citizens not just less strong, but less free.

May 26, 2023
The Impeachment of Geir H. Haarde, Part III: Conclusions

The Impeachment of Geir H. Haarde, Part III: Conclusions

In 2022, a decade after Geir Haarde’s impeachment trial, Iceland is again amongst the most prosperous and peaceful countries in the world.

Despite the Belgorod Debacle: U.S. To Send Ukraine More Arms

Despite the Belgorod Debacle: U.S. To Send Ukraine More Arms

The failed incursion on Russian soil using U.S. equipment—of which Washington strongly disapproved—seems not to have impacted the flow of arms.

EU Accuses OpenAI of Blackmail in AI Regulation Feud

EU Accuses OpenAI of Blackmail in AI Regulation Feud

There are “technical limitations to what’s possible,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said, hinting that his company might have to leave Europe if Brussels remains unwilling to compromise.

May 26, 2023
France Unveils Its Climate Plan for Greenhouse Gas

France Unveils Its Climate Plan for Greenhouse Gas

In order to accelerate the ecological transition, Elisabeth Borne highlighted the necessary distribution of the effort between the state, individuals, and companies.