Agora
Posts in Europe
Making the extraordinary ordinary
It was perhaps the most fitting finale that the people of Lesvos did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month. Not because they did not deserve it for showing such dignity and solidarity in these selfish and unsettling times, but because the help, warmth and care that they did provide was done so selflessly.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (293), Society (149), Greece (523)
Refugee crisis charade adds insult to EU's injuries
Since the European Union and Turkey agreed on a formula in March to manage refugee flows in a more orderly manner, by removing any incentive for migrants to cross the Aegean on their own, the crisis has faded into the background. Aided by the closure of borders in the Balkans and central Europe, the EU–Turkey agreement triggered a significant enough fall in arrivals to make the flow manageable and give much of Europe peace of mind.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (293), Politics (410), Society (149), Greece (523)
Turkish unrest gives Greece the shivers
When Turkey catches a cold, Greece gets the shivers. It’s always been the way. When there is political instability in Turkey, Greece starts to worry about Ankara externalising the crisis and turning against a weaker neighbour to divert public opinion.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (293), Politics (410), Greece (523)
The cat is out of the bag: Europe's politics is a mess
You are the outgoing British prime minister, responsible for calling a needless referendum whose result will – at best – lead to a painful realignment in your country’s relations with the rest of Europe and the wider world. What is your last action in Parliament?
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (293), Politics (410)
Fool Britannia
A pointless referendum, a prime minister resigning, the opposition collapsing in a heap, the finance minister disappearing and nobody having any plan about what to do: This has all happened over the last few years in Greece. Never, though, all at the same time as has just occurred in the UK.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (293), Politics (410), Greece (523)