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Articles by Bart Eeckhout
What to do about the petrol price shock?
24 September 2026 The situation in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab and the decline in Russian exports due to the war in Ukraine are putting pressure on global crude oil and fuel markets. Diesel prices in particular have been hitting record highs. European governments are once again trying to counter market trends with tax cuts or subsidies. In Germany, for example, filling up is to cost 17 cents less per litre as of October. Are such fuel discounts a good idea?
Wildfire in Belgium: takeaways for Europe?
Maria Damanaki, former MP for the social democratic Pasok party and adviser on climate and maritime policy, writes in To Vima: “Resilience has always been on the agenda, but it is now taking center stage. ... The heart of resilience is a science-based prevention plan. Among other measures, it includes using AI to forecast weather events, identify high-risk areas and develop warning and response systems. It means proactive forest management rather than abandonment.
Asylum: EU Parliament approves Return Regulation
27 March 2026 A majority in the European Parliament has adopted the Return Regulation, which, among other things, allows for the establishment of "return hubs" in third countries. Instead of being the result of a parliamentary majority reached by conservative, social democratic and liberal groups, as has been the case with many key votes in recent years, the decision is the result of conservative, right-wing and far-right parties voting together in favour of the regulation.
20-point plan for Gaza: a chance for peace?
02 October 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a 20-point plan presented by US President Donald Trump with the aim of ending the war in Gaza. However Hamas, which was not involved in drawing up the plan, has yet to give its approval. The plan stipulates that the terrorist organisation must release all hostages and lay down its arms. In return, Israel's army would withdraw. The media discuss whether the initiative could really end the war.
What to make of Trump's UN speech?
Trump's attack on the world order is at the heart of his geopolitical strategy, Libération believes: “At the UN General Debate on 23 September, Trump berated the audience with his usual hate-filled accusations, shamelessly tearing down one by one all the concepts that have shaped the world order and have so far been regarded as progress for humanity: the right to asylum, the fight against climate change, multilateralism. ... When your name is Donald Trump, you can risk anything. ...
Poland: how should the West react to Russian drones?
The West's hesitant stance was a mistake which will cost it dearly, writes Novinky.cz: “A no-fly zone should have been imposed over all Ukraine, or at least on its western side, a long time ago, and secured by the alliance's armed forces. Not just to make things easier for Ukraine, but also to protect the airspace of their own countries and prevent a further large wave of refugees from Ukraine. ...
Nato: implications of higher defence spending?
The meeting in The Hague should attend to specific requirements, writes Jean-Louis Thiériot, former vice chair of the Armed Forces Committee in the French National Assembly, in Le Figaro: “Instead of being fixed on the abstract goal of five percent of GDP, we must ask ourselves what our essential requirements really are.
Nato: the implications of higher defence spending?
The meeting in The Hague should attend to specific requirements, writes Jean-Louis Thiériot, former vice chair of the Armed Forces Committee in the French National Assembly, in Le Figaro: “Instead of being fixed on the abstract goal of five percent of GDP, we must ask ourselves what our essential requirements really are.
Het zijn de magistraten zelf die het al wankele vertrouwen onderuit kegelen
Het pleit voor magistraten dat ze snel leren uit hun fouten. Nog maar vorige week vloog hun protestactie tegen geplande pensioenbesparingen uit de bocht. Het zeer riskante dreigement om de al overvolle gevangenissen te overspoelen met honderden extra veroordeelden keerde als een boemerang terug. Dan pakken de nog immer boze magistraten het nu slimmer aan.
De rekening klopt niet. Dat is wel degelijk een ernstig probleem
In zijn splinternieuwe, uiterst lezenswaardige en met historische details overgoten communautaire geschiedenis van België Het verdeelde land schrijft historicus-analist Rolf Falter in één zinnetje dat de eerste regeringen-Martens, in de periode 1979-81, de wankelende Waalse staalindustrie trachtten te redden met overheidssteun “buiten de begroting”. Dat ging niet goed. Niet voor het Waalse staal en niet voor de begroting, die precies in die periode haar historische schuld begon op te bouwen.
Er is altijd een probleem geweest met seksueel geweld tegen vrouwen en het is blijkbaar niet te temmen
Mijn dochter is nog te jong om uit te gaan, maar ze is wel al oud genoeg om de ware betekenis van Roodkapje te begrijpen. Onlangs vertelde ik haar, nog wat vaderlijk omfloerst, dat dat oude sprookje niet zozeer gaat over een meisje dat grootmoeder koekjes wil brengen in het bos. Het is wel een waarschuwing voor geweld dat voor jonge vrouwen overal op de loer ligt. Jonge vrouwen, zoals zij er een aan het worden is. Daar kon ze zich, gelukkig enkel nog maar vagelijk, wel iets bij voorstellen.
Trade conflict with the US: threat of further tariffs
The EU needs a new economic strategy, demands Socialist MEP Jean-Marc Germain in a guest commentary in Libération: “The EU must rethink its trade policy. ... This implies the repatriation of as production as possible and a decarbonised re-industrialisation of the continent. The time has come to reorganise global trade flows! ...
Trade conflict with the US: EU announces counter-tariffs
The EU needs a new economic strategy, demands Socialist MEP Jean-Marc Germain in a guest commentary in Libération: “The EU must rethink its trade policy. ... This implies the repatriation of as production as possible and a decarbonised re-industrialisation of the continent. The time has come to reorganise global trade flows! ...
Trump as US president: what comes next for Europe?
Anti-European forces will now sense an opportunity, G4Media.ro fears: “Tomorrow all of Moscow's useful idiots will turn into big pro-Americans. ... This will increase the ideological confusion and help Russia to disguise its whisperers as pro-Americans. The fact that Trump is encouraging sovereigntist movements is not good news for Romania [on the brink of presidential and parliamentary elections].
De vrees rijst dat Jo Brouns vooral een minister van Boerenbond zal zijn
De vorige Vlaamse regering, onder Jan Jambon (N-VA), gaf genoeg redenen tot kritiek, maar wat ze goed deed, mag ook gezegd worden. Een van haar beste beleidsdaden was het op tempo brengen van het grondwaterbeleid met de zogenaamde ‘Blue Deal’ onder toenmalig minister van Omgeving Zuhal Demir (N-VA).
EU Commissioner Breton reprimands Elon Musk
De Morgen also urges caution: “So now we have reached the point where the EU Commission is pre-emptively threatening a media platform with censorship. In other words, in a bid to protect democracy we are actually chipping away at its foundations. Europe is on a very slippery slope here. Fortunately, the Commission itself has also recognised this and has now called Breton off.
EU plans deficit procedures against seven countries
The government in Rome can't pretend that it didn't see this coming, Corriere della Sera protests: “The coming weeks will see discussions with Europe about how public spending should develop over the next seven years, the period for which the new fiscal rules apply. ...
Belgium: election victory for Flemish nationalists
13 June 2024 The nationalists of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), who want more autonomy for Flanders, have won the general election in Belgium, with the far-right Vlaams Belang (VB) party coming in second. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced his resignation after his liberal party Open VLD suffered considerable losses. Now N-VA leader Bart De Wever has the task of forging a coalition government. What lies ahead for the country?
Germany: mass protests against the far right
Rejection of right-wing extremism is uniting people who would only tear each other apart in Italy, commments La Stampa in approval of the protests: “Before, during and after the demonstrations, German politicians and opinion-makers did not - we repeat, did not - call for investigations into people's origin, for statements of abjuration, or for exclusion. They did not engage in public squabbling.
Italy's windfall tax for banks: a good move?
With this move the government is taking the wind out of the opposition's sails, La Repubblica surmises: “The anti-popular right that cut the citizen's income benefit has transformed itself into a social right and introduced an unforeseen measure that hits the banking world, towards which the great mass of voters are not exactly well-disposed.
What is row over EU's Nature Restoration Law about?
If the law fails, it will be a dubious victory for its opponents, De Morgen warns: “The sovereigntists, who are mainly to be found in the nationalist, conservative and right-wing populist corner, want to shift 'control' over politics back to the member states. ... From a democratic point of view, there is little to be said against this. ... But European democracy risks being left with a hangover. Such manoeuvres aimed at raising the Nature Restoration Law's profile have hyped its significance. ...
The EU and migration: how to proceed?
Europe must close its borders completely, the Kleine Zeitung demands: “Europe bears responsibility, there can be no question of that. Wherever possible, we must create and pay for humane conditions in reception centres. But in order to avoid deaths, there is no alternative to the strict separation of immigration and asylum. And to make this separation work, we must not open our borders but rigorously seal them off. ...
More refugees, less solidarity?
Europe must close its borders completely, the Kleine Zeitung demands: “Europe bears responsibility, there can be no question of that. Wherever possible, we must create and pay for humane conditions in reception centres. But in order to avoid deaths, there is no alternative to the strict separation of immigration and asylum. And to make this separation work, we must not open our borders but rigorously seal them off. ...
Offshore plan: a green future with North Sea wind?
Europe has no time to lose in the production of wind turbines, La Libre Belgique urges: “According to the International Energy Agency IEA, global wind power capacity will need to be boosted if the world is to move towards carbon neutrality. In addition to the climate issue, this is also about jobs. [Belgium's Premier] Alexander De Croo might have welcomed European expertise in offshore wind energy but China threatens to dominate the sector.
What consequences will Rutte's slavery apology have?
On the day of Rute's apology, a parliamentary committee in Belgium set up to deal with the country's colonial past ended its work without reaching a consensus on an apology. Belgium's King Philippe has expressed regret during visits to Congo, but has avoided using the word "apology" - out of fear of demands for reparations, observers suspect. Journalist Bart Eeckhout vents his frustration in De Morgen: “Oh man, this is not about you or me.
What did Macron achieve in Washington?
Despite his brash tone Macron is no doubt aware that an open dispute with the US would be the worst possible scenario at the moment, comments Handelsblatt: “After all, Europe is currently once again experiencing how much its security depends on its big brother on the other side of the Atlantic. The Americans are aware of the precarious situation of the Europeans - which is why they will hardly be willing to make concessions in the subsidy dispute.
Backdowns after ban: no One Love armbands in Qatar?
This is an undignified act of ingratiation vis-à-vis the host country, Libération fumes: “By threatening with the yellow card, the highest authority in world football is violating the holy of holies: the space of the game. This has always been protected, and belongs only to the 22 players and their referees. ... In threatening players with a warning for making social statements, Fifa is doing exactly what it claims it wants to prevent: inviting politics onto the pitch. ...
Belgian plans for prisoner swap with Iran
Faced with this difficult decision, La Libre Belgique says there is no right or wrong: “There is no doubt that Assadollah Assadi, if he were to benefit from this treaty, would be pardoned by the Iranian authorities even before he set foot on the tarmac at Tehran airport. He would be given a hero's welcome and would appear on television. Iran considers its agent a loyal soldier in the fight against the Iranian opposition in exile.
Mathieu Michel, un secrétaire d’État qui s’ennuie
Bart Eeckhout est le rédacteur en chef du quotidien De Morgen. Temps de lecture : 2 minutes Crédit photo : Isopix Commençons par un aveu : si je ne crains pas grand-chose, j’ai toutefois une peur bleue de l’Administration, avec un A majuscule. Dès que je trouve un courrier officiel dans ma boîte aux lettres, dès que je dois me rendre à la Commune, je suis envahi par cette crainte aussi grotesque que réelle.
What does Macron's victory mean for France and Europe?
25 April 2022 Emmanuel Macron has been re-elected as French president. With 58.55 percent in the runoff vote he had a clear lead over his far-right challenger Marine Le Pen (41.45 percent), but the gap narrowed compared to five years ago. Europe's press comments on the results, also with a view to the upcoming French parliamentary elections in June.
Hungary: two-thirds majority for Orbán again
05 April 2022 In the Hungarian parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party, which has been in power since 2010, has once again won a two-thirds majority. The broad opposition alliance behind opposition candidate Péter Márki-Zay was unable to achieve a breakthrough. Commentators assess the outcome in a European context.
Ukraine applies for fast-track EU accession
Ukraine has asked for expedited European Union membership under a special procedure. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the EU's special relationship with Ukraine in an interview on Sunday: "Ukraine is one of us and we want them in the European Union." Europe's press debates to what extent a fast-track accession procedure would be possible - and sensible.
Green transition: where will Europe's energy come from?
The EU wants to phase out climate-damaging energy sources. However, particularly on the issue of nuclear power the member states face huge challenges and are pulling in opposite directions. The debate has intensified as northern Europe is hit by a cold spell and the new German government presents its ambitious climate policy. Europe's press asks questions and struggles for answers.
To the right of Le Pen: Zemmour wants France's top job
After considerable speculation, the far-right journalist Eric Zemmour has declared his candidacy for the 2022 French presidential elections on YouTube. His video harks back to General de Gaulle's 1940 call to resistance and warns that French culture is disappearing as a result of immigration. Europe's press voices concern.
Disco downer: yo-yo policy in the Netherlands
Three weeks ago, the Netherlands lifted almost all its Covid-related restrictions. Clubs and discos were allowed to reopen for the first time in over a year. Last Saturday, however, the country's health authority reported 10,000 new infections and Prime Minister Mark Rutte was forced to backpedal. He and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge apologised on Monday for the "yo-yo policy".
Is the EU's vaccination campaign taking too long?
Criticism of the sluggish progress of the EU-wide coronavirus vaccination campaign is growing in Europe. Biontech boss Uğur Şahin has said the EU was too slow in ordering vaccines. On a per capita basis, the EU states are currently lagging far behind countries like Israel, the US and Britain. But according to commentators, the dog is chasing its own tail over the question of whether the EU or the member states are to blame.
Are corona restrictions being eased too rapidly?
In many European countries including Italy, Spain and Hungary lockdown restrictions have already been relaxed, and more are set to follow suit in the coming weeks. Shops have reopened in many places and there are less restrictions on going outside. Commentators fear a second wave of infections - but for some the return to normality can't happen fast enough.
Coronavirus: the panic and the antidote
According to the WHO coronavirus has now spread to 50 countries and more than 83,000 infections have been registered (as of 28 February 2020). Commentators are concerned not just about the immediate consequences for health and the economy but also fear that states won't be able to take the required measures or supply their populations with the right information.
Coronavirus: Europe between panic and actionism
In view of the rapid spread of coronavirus in Italy, the government in Rome is meeting with representatives from neighbouring countries Slovenia, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany to discuss what further measures should be taken. The number of infections now exceeds 220. Commentaries range from cool-headed reflection to borderline panic.
Commons passes bill against no-deal Brexit
The British House of Commons has passed a bill against a disorderly Brexit. If the House of Lords also approves the bill it could become effective before the prorogation of parliament on 9 September. Johnson may then call for a snap election, a proposal which the parliamentarians rejected on Wednesday. Does the House of Commons now have the control over Brexit? A lively democracy De Morgen praises the MPs in the House of Commons: “The Brexit debate illustrates the full power of a lively democracy.
Climate: what can the student protests achieve?
Together with Greta Thunberg and youths from across Europe, pupils in Paris will demonstrate today, Friday, for an ambitious climate policy. With her school strike the 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl has inspired tens of thousands of young people, particularly in Belgium and Germany, and on Thursday she opened an EU Commission event. Commentators evaluate the young activists' chances of success.
Belgium: PM Michel offers to resign
In the face of a government crisis and the opposition's announced intention of holding a vote of no confidence, Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel has announced that he plans to offer his resignation to the king. The country is slipping back into the times when its parties blocked each other, some Belgian media fear. Others, however, see a positive side to Michel's move.
De zaak-Apple bewijst de meerwaarde van een Europese Unie
'One more thing.' Ze heeft het niet gezegd, maar het had wel gekund. 'One more thing' was het vaste zinnetje waarmee wijlen Steve Jobs alweer een fonkelnieuw Apple-product aankondigde dat de wereld verraste. De wereld verrassen is wat ook eurocommissaris Margrethe Vestager deed, toen ze bekendmaakte dat ze Apple een rekening van 13 miljard aansmeert voor ontweken belastingen. 'One more thing: 13 miljard betalen alstublieft'.
Jongeren zullen langer moeten werken terwijl hun pensioen toch niet veel soeps wordt
Jonge werknemers, zeg de generatie twintigers en dertigers van nu, zullen een wettelijk pensioen krijgen dat minder waard is dan gepensioneerden vandaag. Of moeten we zeggen: nóg minder waard? Krijgt een loontrekkende vandaag een pensioen ter waarde van 38 procent van zijn loon, dan zal dat in de toekomst nog slechts 34 procent zijn. Dat blijkt uit berekeningen die oud-politicus, hoogleraar en pensioenexpert Frank Vandenbroucke in deze krant maakt.
Hou toch op met je 'Keep calm and carry on'
Dinsdag 22 maart is voor België helaas een historische dag geworden. Er was al de moordraid op het Joods Museum in Brussel op 24 mei 2014, maar voor het eerst in zijn bestaan is dit land het doelwit geworden van een grootschalige internationale terreuraanslag. Zeker, we hebben de loden jaren tachtig met De Bende van Nijvel en de CCC gekend, maar iedereen zal het er over eens zijn dat dit 'anders' is. België wordt door de internationale islamterreur als deel van het strijdperk beschouwd.
Met de arrestatie van Abdeslam is niet alles opgelost
Hoe dan ook geeft deze actie Salah Abdeslam een uniek statuut van overlevende, gearresteerde verdachte van een terreuraanslag onder IS-vlag. Dat geeft hem het cachet van 'hoofdrolspeler'. Of Abdeslam in die rol past, valt nog maar te bezien. Evengoed kunnen we hier te maken hebben met een mislukte zelfmoordterrorist, zonder veel inzicht in de verdere werking van de terreurorganisatie waarbij hij zich aansloot.
Neen, er is in Keulen geen code voor vrouwen afgekondigd
De burgemeester van Keulen heeft iets doms gezegd over hoe vrouwen zich kunnen beschermen tegen aanranding. Maar ze heeft géén gedragscode voor vrouwen uitgevaardigd. Dat u mogelijk toch van het tegendeel overtuigd bent, is een gevalletje van mediaframing. In de zestiende minuut van de persconferentie van burgemeester Henriette Reker en de hoofden van politie van de stad Keulen, over het massageweld in de stationsbuurt op oudejaarsnacht, gaat het fout.
De Persgroep mag Sanoma-magazines overnemen
Er werd uitgekeken naar de beslissing van de Mededingingsautoriteit - de overheidsdienst die onder meer concentratievorming in economische sectoren moet nagaan - omdat De Persgroep Publishing door de overname zijn dominante positie op de markt van de tv- en societybladen nog gevoelig versterkt. DPP is nu immers ook al uitgever van onder meer Dag Allemaal, TV Familie en Goed Gevoel. Toch lijken de voorwaarden die de Autoriteit aan de overname verbindt niet al te zwaar te wegen.
België wil president Burundi weg
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