Christian Odendahl
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codendahl.bsky.social
Christian Odendahl
@codendahl.bsky.social

European economics editor @TheEconomist. London via Berlin, Stockholm and Cologne. Have no plans to write a book.

Economics 55%
Political science 39%

And the third one on #Putin in Düsseldorf. As if the parade officials wanted to compensate for the absence in both Cologne and Mainz.

Speaking of drones, Düsseldorf had another one featuring Putin as a drone pilot (and the AfD's leader Alice Weidel as the drone).

In no uncertain terms, it says "The country's traitors" on the side.

It did have one on the #Bundeswehr and drones, so somewhat related. Fair to say, Colognians are not impressed by the drone wall.

Bit disappointed that my home town, #Cologne, did not have one on Putin or Ukraine, and the justification for the absence was largely unconvincing.

Anyway.

The Karneval parade in #Düsseldorf is the only major one with a satirical float on Putin this year. The chief designer of the floats is under investigation in Russia.

"You cannot kill satire," is his response.

True. I also think the Netherlands may soon be replacing Italian supplies, so we should be ok.

Meloni is still polling strongly, if she holds on to power for too long, the EU may run out of former Italian prime ministers to write landmark reports.

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

“We’d like to build this”

Europe: “Right let me check that against the rules”

Anglo: “K everyone go away and prepare your arguments”

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

I think… I think I may have done something really bad

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Thus European rhetoric is pointing toward taking back control of defense. But that is not materializing in a revolution in military affairs. Europe is spending more (yay!). But it can't spend its way to military coherence. More here: www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/europ...
Europe Needs an Army
Only collective defense can protect the continent.
www.foreignaffairs.com
[NEW] The good divorce, or: why I was (unfashionably) encouraged by this year's Munich Security Conference.

My take on #MSC2026 for @agendapublica.es ⬇️

agendapublica.es/noticia/2069...
The good divorce: An optimistic account of Munich Security Conference 2026
Jeremy Cliffe, Top Columnist at 'Agenda Pública' and editorial director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, reports from the 2026 Munich Security Conference on a "good" transatlantic divorce...
agendapublica.es

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Something incredible is happening in Spain
Welcome to Count Deregula's castle
Because of this story I can never give signed books to charity and if I buy one which turns out to have an inscription I feel bad for the signatory

"People are durably marked by that which they no longer believe. So it is with countries that once embraced liberal values."

www.economist.com/internationa...
Are liberal values a luxury the West cannot afford?
Yes, China has impressive high-speed trains. That is no reason for the West to adopt iron-fisted rule
www.economist.com

"I strongly believe that Britain's future is inextricably bound with that of Europe's – for economic reasons, but also reasons of security, resilience and defence," she said.

Overall a great event, @bruegel.org.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reeves argues for reduced trace barriers with EU
Chancellor Rachel Reeves says closer partnership with the EU is beneficial for economy and security.
www.bbc.co.uk

Fun.
A small bombshell on rule of law conditionality from Luxembourg today: Advocate-General Capeta finds in her opinion that Commission was not allowed to unfreeze EU funds to Hungary in December 2023 and proposes that the Court of Justice annul the decision: curia.europa.eu/site/upload/...

Thread:
curia.europa.eu
A small bombshell on rule of law conditionality from Luxembourg today: Advocate-General Capeta finds in her opinion that Commission was not allowed to unfreeze EU funds to Hungary in December 2023 and proposes that the Court of Justice annul the decision: curia.europa.eu/site/upload/...

Thread:
curia.europa.eu

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Happy to announce I've just started as a reporter at
@contexte.com, covering EU politics.

After a fulfilling year reporting in the Middle East, I'm really excited to embark on a new adventure covering the European Union.

Work in EU politics? Message me and let's get ☕

about.contexte.com/eu/power
Contexte - Power: EU Analysis and Policy Insights
Get access to in-depth analyses and exclusive insights on European political influence. Launched on 3 March. Sign up for early access.
about.contexte.com

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Britain's income inequality is at its lowest since 1986

(Includes tax, transfers and transfers in kind; excludes retirees)
OPINION: As the current consensus goes, Europe has smothered itself in unnecessary regulation, and growth will return once red tape is cut.

This agenda is bound to disappoint.
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
It is so embarrassing that it has taken nearly a decade for a British minister to say this, a statement of the absolute bloody obvious
When EU leaders meet tomorrow to discuss the EU’s competitiveness agenda, they should stop chasing ghosts and confront the real problem Europe‘s economy is facing.

Our latest for @politico.eu with @nilsredeker.bsky.social and @sandertordoir.bsky.social 👇
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu

To China!

"Geopolitical challenges demand that Europe act in unison in matters of defense and national security, while economic conditions require the relaxation of the Union’s shackles to permit experimentation."

Food for thought from @drodrik.bsky.social. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...
The World Needs Europe to Get Its Act Together – Fast
Dani Rodrik argues that an attractive alternative to the US and Chinese models has become more important than ever.
www.project-syndicate.org

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Alternative title:

"China still wants large amounts of German goods, but numbers arent rapidly increasing - as they did in the past".

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

👇🎯 Pretty much everything in Germany has basically stagnated since 2014:

That German exports are in free fall *now*. Which is possibly true, but it is mostly a car market issue.

I know people want to say something else with this chart, but the striking bit is that exports from Germany to #China have basically stagnated since the end of 2014.

Reposted by Christian Odendahl

Headlines from the frontlines of late-stage capitalism