Dr. Ilke Toygür

Many thanks! 🙏

This was clearly my favourite read of the week.

@ilketoygur.bsky.social and @catherinedevries.bsky.social paint a gloomy picture without being alarmist, and suggest clear yet bold steps without being too idealistic.

I really need an outlet that is fair in its assessment of the EU. The EU certainly has many (many) problems. But if there was no EU, the member states would have been worse off alone. Is it too much to ask for some news coverage of what the EU has done well? Is it unreasonable to expect that?

The problem of #housing - one of the most important problems of European citizens - is included in the agenda for today’s #EUCO summit. For the first time ever, the European Council, Commission and Parliament are accepting their role in tackling the housing crisis. Very positive development.

I thought EXACTLY the same this morning. It is also comparing the drone wall with democracy shield, undermining them all.

Europe Should Support U.S. Democracy EU leaders still aren’t alarmed enough about democratic decline across the Atlantic.

While we are boosting our work on the impact of the MAGA movement on European politics, American colleagues are asking for European help. Read this candid account of what is happening by Amanda Sloat and Cathryn Clüver.

Europe should support US Democracy
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/07/e...

Europe must complete the single market by 2028 This deadline shouldn’t be seen as a slogan — it’s a contract with Europeans who want results, not reassurances. And leaders must treat it as such.

Europe must complete the single market by 2028
www.politico.eu/article/euro...

A new selective multilateralism with grades? Issue based minilateralism?

The US President is “grading” every country that is participating in the peace ceremony. Some are standing behind him. The optics are just so weird.

A special mention was given to Hungary, promising that the US will “support” the reelection of Victor Orban.

Europe’s greatest asset is Europe — let’s use it There are immediate steps that we can take to consolidate our single market

Europe’s greatest asset is Europe — let’s use it
www.ft.com/content/22f2...

🗞️ Fundación Carolina y el Instituto de Empresa @IEuniversity presentan #DocumentodeTrabajo sobre las relaciones entre la UE y América Latina y el Caribe

👥 Con Germán Ríos y @emaropi.bsky.social (autorxs) e @ilketoygur.bsky.social
 
ℹ️ https://bit.ly/4q1K2FQ

📕 Estamos presentando el #DocumentodeTrabajo "Relaciones entre la Unión Europea y América Latin a y el Caribe: fortaleciendo una alianza estratégica" en la
@ieuniversity.bsky.social

👥 Con Germán Ríos y @emaropi.bsky.social (autorxs) e @ilketoygur.bsky.social

📥 Descarga: bit.ly/4nA9ctu

French PM and government resign, pitching Macron into chaos The new administration had been appointed less than 12 hours before resigning.

French PM and government resign, pitching Macron into chaos
www.politico.eu/article/fren...

The Fatal Flaw in the Transatlantic Alliance Trump must do much more to rebalance America’s relationship with Europe.

This is one of the best articles I have read recently. So helpful in understanding the frustrations some Americans have when it comes to their lack of control over the European economy and trade (this was the reason for the investment in security).
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

Czech billionaire Babish's opposition party wins election – DW – 10/04/2025 The party of populist billionaire Andre Babish has won the Czech Republic's parliamentary election, setting a new course for the country away from supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia's fu...

Czech billionaire Babish's opposition party wins election
www.dw.com/en/czech-ele...

Continental security (traditional, hybrid and all issues related to connectivity) is at the heart of the EPC meeting today in Copenhagen. The pan-European initiative is opening up a space for EU and non-EU leaders to informally discuss issues of common interest. #EPC2025

Moldova successfully completes its screening process Today, Moldova has reached an important milestone on its EU accession path with the completion of the bilateral screening with the European Commission. The bilateral screening began in July 2024

Moldova’s resistance to electoral meddling and its pro-EU credentials should be matched by decisive action of EU leaders. Time to open the first cluster.

enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/moldova...

If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump? | Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen European leaders’ weakness is undermining the democratic principles on which the EU was built, say Thu Nguyen and Jannik Jansen from the Jacques Delors Centre

Very well written piece by Thu Nguyen & Jannik Jansen. I cannot agree more. What European leaders call strategic pragmatism is costing the EU its dignity and agency.

If Europe keeps placating its own far right, how can it possibly stand up to Trump?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

One take-away sentence: #democracy needs to offer solutions to people's legitimate problems. This is one of the very exciting upcoming projects we have together with @catherinedevries.bsky.social.

All pro-European democratic forces should work to strengthen #SocialEurope against authoritarianism.

Last but not least: #democracy and #RuleofLaw. The Commission will establish a European Center for Democratic Resilience. This will have different components, including #independent media. Autocrats want people in the dark. The EU should offer more space to the free media. #SOTEU.

In addition to this deal, the European Union will double down on #diversification and #partnerships. Mexico, MERCOSUR, and India. The EU will also establish a coalition of the like-minded countries to reform the global trading system. The EU will lead when it comes to free trade.

#SOTEU

According to VdL: #Trade relations with the US are very important. With the deal we secured market access for our industries. A full-fledged trade war with the US would have been worse. The relations need #stability. BUT on environment & digital, Europe decides for itself.

#SOTEU

And comes a reference to social #justice: there will be a European anti-poverty strategy. Affordability & cost of living crises are at the heart of social policies.

#House prices are a source of anxiety; it is a social crisis. This year – the first-ever European Affordable Housing Plan

#SOTEU

#MadeinEurope criteria for public procurement, encouragement of partners to produce in Europe while trying to strengthen European industries. The Commission will move forward an "Industrial Accelerator Act".

Europe will remain open, but we will protect Europe from unfair competition.

#SOTEU

#Competitiveness is at the heart of our future. The Commission will propose a Single Market Roadmap for 2028, following up on the suggestions of the Letta Report. This is also clearly connected to European tech / green tech. Faster, smarter, and more European.

#SOTEU

#Gaza. We should all take our responsibility: Commission, Parliament, and Council. The Commission will propose suspension of grants from Horizon Europe, some parts of the Association Agreement and sanctions for extremist ministers and violent settlers.

My highlights of the #SOTEU: The President of the European Commission started with Ukraine and located Ukraine at the heart of European security.

She then called #enlargement towards the W. Balkans and the Association Trio as #nextreunification – a historic reference to the post-Cold War period.

Poland shoots down Russian drones Prime Minister Donald Tusk cites ‘multiple violations of Polish airspace’

Was the Russian violation of Polish airspace intentional? Accidental?

Poland shoots down Russian drones
on.ft.com/3HQNdiz

Last night in Poland we saw the most serious European airspace violation by Russia since the war began, and indications suggest it was intentional, not accidental.

I am in contact with NATO Secretary General Rutte and Poland FM Sikorski.

The EU stands in full solidarity with Poland. (1/2)

Europe’s defence tech start-ups attract investment surge Russia’s war in Ukraine and fears over US security relationship drive wave of VC funding

The Silicon Valley flourished during the Cold War. If the increase in defense spending in the EU is well-invested, there might be a positive spillover in its economy.

Europe’s defence tech start-ups attract investment surge
on.ft.com/4m8dAyd