editorial partner: Liberte! Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Politics

Through Green Deal, EU Has Declared War on Entrepreneurship
Politics
Through Green Deal, EU Has Declared War on Entrepreneurship
An EU sustainability regulation, part of the Green Deal, risks making entrepreneurship almost impossible in the European Union. By aiming to “harmonize” at the EU level the criteria for which economic activity “qualifies as environmentally sustainable”, the regulation in question will make doing business in the EU unnecessarily difficult. Complying with environmental legislation in the European Union, besides being controversial, is already very complicated.
Bulgarian Constitution as Lifeline
Politics
Bulgarian Constitution as Lifeline
Soon it will be 8 years since the last constitutional changes related to the Bulgarian judiciary. As politicians are evidently in a hurry to present us with a Christmas gift in the form of new amendments to the Fundamental Law, perhaps it is a good idea to recall what happened in 2015, highlight the differences with the current situation, and suggest why there is such a lack of enthusiasm for the current initiative.
Human Rights Begin with Children’s Rights
Politics
Human Rights Begin with Children’s Rights
Children\'s rights are a matter of the utmost importance for politics and the future of the democratic system. Unfortunately, this statement still remains merely aspirational in Poland. The discourse and practices in the political sphere do not indicate that the decision-making circles (esp. the legislative and executive branches) are aware of the connection between children\'s rights and the quality of political life.
Why Did the Opposition Win Polish Elections?
Politics
Why Did the Opposition Win Polish Elections?
I present a brief analysis of the key factors that influenced the opposition\'s victory in the parliamentary elections in October. The order of the points does not imply a hierarchy of importance. In these elections, there were no radical party like Razem, which would claim that it would not cooperate with other parties and would take votes from the main parties, while not entering the Parliament due to not crossing the 5 or 8 percent threshold.
Business Versus Politics
Politics
Business Versus Politics
It is difficult to do business with a country whose politicians are detached from reality and do not understand today\'s world because they are afraid of it, says Arkadiusz Mus, founder of Press Glass, No. 9 on Forbes magazine\'s list of 100 richest Poles and owner of assets worth more than PLN 4.5 billion, about Poland under the rule of Law and Justice (PiS).
Hungary Shoots Itself in the Foot
Politics
Hungary Shoots Itself in the Foot
In the first half of 2023, almost weekly protests were held over the education system in Budapest, Hungary. In some cases they were organized by teachers\' unions, in others they were planned by students. Based on the study done by the Republikon Institute, 62% of the Hungarian population rate the education system as \"bad\" (Republikon, 2023).
The Way Forward for the EU Green Deal and Green Ambitions in Europe
Politics
The Way Forward for the EU Green Deal and Green Ambitions in Europe
The EU’s Green Deal is a package of policy proposals introduced in 2019 by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The aim of the package, which President von der Leyen described as \"Europe\'s man on the Moon moment\" is making Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050, decoupling economic growth from resource use, while ensuring that \"no person and no place is left behind in the transition.\"
Punitive Policies Only Hurt Smokers, Including Those Trying to Quit
Politics
Punitive Policies Only Hurt Smokers, Including Those Trying to Quit
Recently, lawmakers across the European Union have begun to take a great interest in tobacco products. While their motives might be sound, the policy approach they have adopted towards cigarettes is likely to be counter-productive. Politicians seem determined to take new steps to restrict the use, sale and advertising of tobacco products and directly limit the civil liberties of smokers.
Polish Elections: Winners and Losers
Politics
Polish Elections: Winners and Losers
A massive social mobilization has led to the government\'s defeat, one that routinely violated the constitution and basic principles of decency. Thousands of voters engaged in monitoring the election process, with tens of thousands casting their votes away from their places of residence, thereby increasing the strength of their votes in terms of parliamentary mandates.