by fnfeurope

Ice Age between the Czech Republic and Russia

Protest against Putin’s trivializing interpretation of history

 

 

The Corona crisis was used quickly and efficiently – now that there was no need for protests, he was disposed of: General Konev, Marshal of the Soviet Union. Not himself, of course, but his monument in the Prague district Bubeneč. Since then there has been great disagreement between the Czech Republic and Putin’s Russia. But the dismantling of the monument is only one of a long series of targeted provocations directed at the Kremlin, with which people in the Czech Republic are protesting against Vladimir Putin’s neo-Stalinist history policy and for an appropriate remembrance of the victims of communism. Continue reading →

by fnfeurope

From Poland With Love – April

 

PART I: COVID-19 IN POLAND

 

(Some) Restrictions Lifted

After Easter, the Polish government announced its plans on how some of the restrictions introduced in response to the Covid-19 epidemic would be lifted. In the first period, parks and forest were open for the public. Bigger changes were planned for May 4th.

As part of the second stage of exiting the lockdown, Poland opened a number of facilities on the first day after the long weekend (May 1st and May 3rd are bank holidays in Poland). The list of facilities that were opened includes: Continue reading →

by fnfeurope

Corona and the Struggle for Sovereignty of Interpretation

The pandemic will determine the rules of international politics in the future

 

In a statement of 24 March 2020 Josep Borell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, formulated a fundamental insight. According to him, we are currently experiencing a global struggle to interpret what is actually happening in the context of the pandemic. In this struggle we must not overlook the geopolitical dimension. According to Borell, the central question here is who will play the role of “saviour”. Ultimately, then, it is a question of nothing less than the readjustment of political influence on the world stage. It should not be forgotten that this debate is also being conducted with those who want to dismantle the European Union. Continue reading →

by fnfeurope

Europe’s Corona Governance

New EU states

During the Corona crisis, the EU member states mainly take individual measures, while the EU does not currently seem to play a major role in their coordination.

 

“Schengen dead – borders closed in Europe”, “Monster traffic jam at the Polish border”, “Ministries all over Europe on a mask hunt”, “The South is dying, the North is hoarding”. Such or similar headlines and stories can be found in current times of the Corona crisis across classic and social media. The verdict: Member states do what they want and the EU, “Brussels”, does nothing; once again failing across the board. But, what is true about EU bashing on corona accounts? Continue reading →