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Articles

From Warsaw City Hall to Presidential Palace? We Know Donald Tusk’s Candidate for Polish Presidency
Politics
From Warsaw City Hall to Presidential Palace? We Know Donald Tusk’s Candidate for Polish Presidency
On November 22, 2024, the Civic Coalition (Koalicja Obywatelska), the current ruling political party in Poland led by Donald Tusk, held its much-anticipated primaries to select a presidential candidate for the upcoming 2025 elections. All KO members took part in this internal vote, a test of the party\'s democratic procedures and its ability to unite behind a formidable candidate to retake the presidential palace from the incumbent PiS-backed Andrzej Duda.
Against Russian Infiltration of European Democracy
Politics
Against Russian Infiltration of European Democracy
Many people still do not seem to be aware of the Putin regime\'s perfidious hybrid warfare against liberal democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It is therefore all the more important to talk about it publicly in order to fight against it. The European Liberal Forum (ELF) organized a panel discussion entitled \"Russian Influence in European Democracy\" on November 18 in Sofia with the Project: Poland Foundation and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).
Is Battle of Ideas Over?
Politics
Is Battle of Ideas Over?
The outcome of the U.S. presidential election should not be too surprising. Not only did a careful analysis of the polls predict Donald Trump’s victory in all seven swing states, but the trend over the past four weeks was also clear. State polling averages increasingly favored the Republican, while individual polls showing Kamala Harris in the lead became fewer and less convincing.
Why Electric Cars Are Not Popular in Slovakia
Economy
Why Electric Cars Are Not Popular in Slovakia
I recently overheard an interview in which the irrationality of Slovaks who refuse to buy more economically advantageous electric cars was criticized. Quite often, I encounter the fact that owners of electric vehicles fail to look at this problem through the eyes of the average driver. First, it is important to realize that the average Slovak drives either a second-hand car or his old car. In September alone, 5,000 individually imported cars were registered in Slovakia.
How Russian Economy Is (Not) Doing Well
Economy
How Russian Economy Is (Not) Doing Well
Russia\'s economic landscape is under strain. In this interview, Martin Vlachynsky, an analyst from INESS, sheds light on the complexities of Russia\'s current economic policies, their implications for businesses and ordinary citizens, and how the ongoing war continues to shape the country\'s financial reality.
How Might Trump’s Victory Affect the EU?
Politics
How Might Trump’s Victory Affect the EU?
Several days after the US election, it is time to focus on the possible and probable consequences. The Trump victory would present two main challenges for the EU. First, Trump and the Republican Party’s protectionist tendencies could result in a more aggressive trade policy toward Europe. Second, the Trump administration may show little interest in maintaining US support for Ukraine or playing a major role in European defense generally.
Bulgaria Continues to Rank Between Kosovo and Senegal in Terms of Rule of Law
Politics
Bulgaria Continues to Rank Between Kosovo and Senegal in Terms of Rule of Law
For the third consecutive year, the percentage of countries experiencing a decline in the rule of law has decreased. Additionally, for the first time in five years, more countries have shown improvement in the \"absence of corruption\" indicator. Bulgaria, however, is not among these countries. From 2016 to 2024, the state of fundamental human rights has worsened in 81% of the countries surveyed, including Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Parliament Should Revise Spending Decisions to Avoid Blowing up Budget
Economy
Bulgarian Parliament Should Revise Spending Decisions to Avoid Blowing up Budget
In October, Bulgarian interim Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova held a press conference regarding the 2025 state budget and the medium-term framework for 2025–2028. The biggest surprise was the expert assessment, based on current policies and enacted legislation, which projected a nominal spending increase of BGN 18.1 billion in 2025. Such a significant rise, even as an expert projection, raises several questions: