● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°260·● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°260·
Independent European journalism — politics, power, technology and public life
Brussels · Europe
N°260 · Week 38

The Debate.eu

Thursday, 17 September 2026
Read across Europe
§ Section · 13 stories

Opinion

Reporting and analysis on opinion from across Europe and beyond — updated through the day.

Newest first
  1. 01OPINION04 September 2026

    Sánchez leads Spain away from the Western alliance

    Spain's erratic governance under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has distanced it from Western alliances, despite a strong economy growing at 2.4 percent and substantial tourism revenue.

    By Conrad Black
    03:30 CET
  2. 02OPINION04 September 2026

    Gdańsk mayor marks the anniversary of the German invasion by mourning the siege of Leningrad

    Gdańsk mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz commemorated the 87th anniversary of the German invasion by highlighting the suffering of Leningrad's civilians during its siege.

    By Miłosz Manasterski
    02:30 CET
  3. 03OPINION03 September 2026

    Beijing reads Plato while we apologise for him

    Christopher Nolan's interview in Beijing highlights contrasting attitudes toward greatness, as Chinese scholars embrace Western classics while the West grapples with apologizing for its past.

    By Ralph Schoellhammer
    03:30 CET
  4. 04OPINION03 September 2026

    Grievance progressivism demand will always outpace supply

    Left-wing progressivism often promotes dubious figures, as seen in the cases of Jason Arday and Artur Baptista da Silva, highlighting a disconnect from reality and integrity.

    By Miguel Nunes Silva
    02:30 CET
  5. 05OPINION02 September 2026

    Austria should rediscover its neutrality

    Austria's recent support for EU policy changes raises concerns over its historical neutrality.

    By Anthony J. Constantini
    03:30 CET
  6. 06OPINION02 September 2026

    Iceland’s ‘No’ vote: Lessons the EU still refuses to learn

    Iceland's recent referendum shows the EU's ongoing communication failures. Pro-European leaders struggle to connect with citizens, allowing opponents to dominate the narrative.

    By Renata Shipkova
    02:30 CET
  7. 07OPINION01 September 2026

    The Arctic rejection: Iceland delivers a humiliating reality check to Brussels

    Iceland's recent referendum showed a clear rejection of EU accession, with 52.8% voting against it.

    By Konstantinos Bogdanos
    03:30 CET
  8. 08OPINION01 September 2026

    Belgium is rich in savings but short of risk capital

    Belgium has €1.71 trillion in financial assets but lacks sufficient risk capital for fast-growing firms.

    By Amir Naser Hojati
    02:30 CET
  9. 09OPINION31 August 2026

    Pothole populism

    New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed a long-standing issue for cyclists by repairing a dangerous ramp on the Williamsburg Bridge, exemplifying 'pothole populism' in politics.

    By Karl Pfefferkorn
    03:30 CET
  10. 10OPINION31 August 2026

    One month later, will Ceuta finish with Sánchez, or will Sánchez finish with Spain?

    As Ceuta grapples with a humanitarian crisis and rising crime, Pedro Sánchez's delayed response raises questions about his leadership and Spain's growing vulnerabilities.

    By Rodrigo Ballester
    02:30 CET
  11. 11OPINION28 August 2026

    Denial is Europe’s real emergency

    Europe faces a dire threat of 'civilisational erasure' as it grapples with immigration issues and economic stagnation, highlighting a profound reluctance to confront reality.

    By Conrad Black
    03:30 CET
  12. 12OPINION20 July 2026

    No second star, and no refunds: Argentina's title defence ends in a brawl

    Lionel Messi's last shot at a second World Cup ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain and an ugly post-match brawl now under FIFA investigation. Argentina came to defend a crown and left with a disciplinary file.

    By The Debate
    12:00 CET
  13. 13OPINION06 July 2026

    Let Clacton decide: the case against Farage belongs to voters, not quangos

    The parties queuing up to boycott his by-election say Nigel Farage is running from scrutiny. Their refusal to face the voters suggests something closer to the opposite.

    By The Debate
    11:00 CET