How Belgium became Europe’s port of call for cocaine
26 Jan Feature

How Belgium became Europe’s port of call for cocaine

The port of Antwerp has the dubious claim to fame as the main entry point for cocaine in Europe. But with critics citing a weak central government and divided law enforcement system, can Belgium ever win the war on drugs?
by Mitchell Prothero
Issue 556 | February 2023
23 Jan Feature
Issue 556 | February 2023
Is the AI Act missing safeguards on migration?
25 Jan Feature
Is the AI Act missing safeguards on migration?
Lobbying for change in the European Parliament
24 Jan Feature
Lobbying for change in the European Parliament
Whither the cow?
17 Jan Feature
Whither the cow?
As the European Union looks out for the environment by driving meat out of the human diet, Sean Craig looks at whether animals will also be looked out for or new ethical issues around protection of livestock will arise
Can mining ever be green?
11 Jan Feature
Can mining ever be green?
As France prepares to dig for lithium in its own backyard, part of the EU's broader push to create strategic reserves of key raw materials needed for the green transition, activists worry about the environmental impact of mining
What game is Viktor Orbán playing?
16 Dec Feature
What game is Viktor Orbán playing?
Hungary’s Prime Minister is known for his love of football, and his government has spent lavishly on the game. But for what purpose? Tomasz Mortimer explores how Viktor Orbán uses football to score political goals
Issue 555 | January 2023
14 Dec Feature
Issue 555 | January 2023
The January edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free
On the road from Farm to Fork
07 Dec Feature
On the road from Farm to Fork
Social fairness is meant to be a guiding principle of the EU Green Deal and the strategies associated with it, but is it actually? Laura Lamberti explores whether the Farm to Fork strategy does enough to protect agri-food workers' rights
Litigating with the fishes
01 Dec Feature
Litigating with the fishes
Environmental law charity ClientEarth sued in Ireland to stop overfishing in the European Union, hoping to end up in the bloc’s highest court. Along the way, a second path opened to challenge the EU over such decisions
The edible insect revolution has arrived in Europe
29 Nov Feature
The edible insect revolution has arrived in Europe
If the thought of worm burgers with cricket crisps on the side makes your mouth water, you're not alone. Bugs and creepy crawlies are increasingly becoming a foodie trend in the EU
Are low-carbon liquid fuels part of the answer to Europe’s decarbonisation challenge? Partner Content
28 Nov Feature
Are low-carbon liquid fuels part of the answer to Europe’s decarbonisation challenge?
Conventional fuels are sometimes perceived as part of the problem of global warming. But, as attendees at a recent dinner discovered, new liquid fuels could ultimately end up being part of the climate change solution.
New survey reveals public concern across EU over impact of illicit trade Partner Content
28 Nov Feature
New survey reveals public concern across EU over impact of illicit trade
The Instagram account spotlighting worker exploitation in Brussels
25 Nov Feature
The Instagram account spotlighting worker exploitation in Brussels
Anonymous Instagram meme page Brussels Affirmations shines a light on exploitation in the workplace in the heart of the European Union’s capital, tapping into workers’ appetite for change
The MEP fighting for the rights of platform workers
23 Nov Feature
The MEP fighting for the rights of platform workers
Leïla Chaibi (GUE/NGL, FR) was an activist before becoming an elected politician; as Sean Craig discovers, her advocacy in Parliament for delivery drivers straddles the line between both
Issue 554 | December 2022
22 Nov Feature
Issue 554 | December 2022
The December edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free
Is the Energy Charter Treaty at odds with a green future?
18 Nov Feature
Is the Energy Charter Treaty at odds with a green future?
Under the contentious treaty, which was originally intended to protect and expand fossil fuel investments, EU Member States are struggling to balance ambitious climate targets with their obligations to energy investors
Photo Essay: Ukraine’s off-roaders report for duty
17 Nov Feature
Photo Essay: Ukraine’s off-roaders report for duty
Ukrainian photographer Olga Ivashchenko documents how the country’s off-road driving enthusiasts and civilian mechanics are doing their part to keep defence efforts up and running, with words by Karyna Samokhvalova
Milan prioritises pedal power
08 Nov Feature
Milan prioritises pedal power
With “Cambio,” Milan’s plan to build hundreds of kilometres of cycling corridors, the fashion capital aims to bring biking back in style
Issue 553 | November 2022
07 Nov Feature
Issue 553 | November 2022
The November edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free
Greening the economy through transition finance Partner Content
31 Oct Feature
Greening the economy through transition finance
Ahead of the upcoming COP27 climate change negotiations, we report on an event organised by the City of London Corporation, bringing together key experts to discuss how private finance can accelerate the transition to ‘net-zero’.
Key takeaways from Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address
14 Sep Feature
Key takeaways from Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the EU's solidarity with Ukraine and introduced plans to mitigate record-high energy prices
Don’t let high energy prices sway you, says Ukraine to the West. The sanctions war must go on.
05 Sep Feature
Don’t let high energy prices sway you, says Ukraine to the West. The sanctions war must go on.
Higher gas prices are part of the cost of supporting Ukraine, argues Oleksii Makeiev, Ukraine’s Special Envoy on Sanctions, because without sanctions, Ukraine will not be able to defend itself against the Russian invasion
New EU office meets demand for greater European presence in Silicon Valley
16 Aug Feature
New EU office meets demand for greater European presence in Silicon Valley
The European Commission is opening a San Francisco office in September, a reflection of the bloc’s mounting desire to be a global force in shaping the digital sphere
Issue 552 | June 2022
28 Jun Feature
Issue 552 | June 2022
The June edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
Is there any hope for implementing qualified majority voting in EU sanctions decisions?
14 Jun Feature
Is there any hope for implementing qualified majority voting in EU sanctions decisions?
As the topic of replacing the unanimity requirement in the Council, notably in Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), with qualified majority voting has once again resurfaced, we spoke to EU expert Leonard Schuette about who benefits from unanimity, whether such a policy can be changed, and what people often misunderstand about the issue.
With the war in Ukraine hindering Moldovan apple exports to Russia, farmers are eyeing a new market: the EU
01 Jun Feature
With the war in Ukraine hindering Moldovan apple exports to Russia, farmers are eyeing a new market: the EU
The war in Ukraine has cut off a crucial trade route between Moldova and Russia. For Moldovan apple growers, who export a large portion of their harvest to Russia, now is the time to look westward for new markets, reports Mădălin Necșuțu.
Issue 551 | May 2022
25 May Feature
Issue 551 | May 2022
The May edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.