Anders Larson
@thisisanders.bsky.social
Chronically ill legal professional |
Occasional expert |
American | British | European
Echter Wiener | Citoyen | Philadelphian
European Federalist | #Renaissance | #Libdems
Occasional expert |
American | British | European
Echter Wiener | Citoyen | Philadelphian
European Federalist | #Renaissance | #Libdems
Reposted by Anders Larson
Passing new legislation „in record time“ is not a good thing if the impacts/consequences are unclear.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
Safe third country: Council and European Parliament agree on new EU law restricting admissibility of asylum claims
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a regulation regarding the application of the safe third country concept.
www.consilium.europa.eu
December 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Passing new legislation „in record time“ is not a good thing if the impacts/consequences are unclear.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
There is a hard truth here. Either the EU moves toward genuine federation or it does not. If not, then the € is as good as it is going to get, to the systematic disadvantage of certain MS whose normalcy is treated as pathological by a currency union shaped by "Frugal" fiscal and monetary preferences
Germany keeps playing chess against itself in Europe. Only reason Meloni can torpedo a deal on Russia's reserves is because Germany allows the ECB to cap Italy's yields. Europe's dysfunction starts and ends with the ECB. Time for Germany to say what's what.
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/why-euro-b...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/why-euro-b...
December 18, 2025 at 10:44 AM
There is a hard truth here. Either the EU moves toward genuine federation or it does not. If not, then the € is as good as it is going to get, to the systematic disadvantage of certain MS whose normalcy is treated as pathological by a currency union shaped by "Frugal" fiscal and monetary preferences
Reposted by Anders Larson
Also making the point in today's Guardian piece that the sight of global companies working overtly with the US government to coerce a UK government desperate for positive headlines about investment is a hugely worrying precedent which we need to be discussing.
December 18, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Also making the point in today's Guardian piece that the sight of global companies working overtly with the US government to coerce a UK government desperate for positive headlines about investment is a hugely worrying precedent which we need to be discussing.
China, the US, & the far-right are all eating away at our continental capacity, civic space & polity. 90s deregulation, 00s atlanticist neoliberalism and modern-day Euroskepticism all point away from the EU while our citizens want more EU, more than ever. I am not optimistic.
Today's European Council marks the first gathering of EU leaders facing war from Russia & betrayal from the US
It will test national leaders' egoisms while exposing the limits of increasingly intergovernmental decision-making under pressure
Europeans (and non-Europeans) are watching
#EUCO
It will test national leaders' egoisms while exposing the limits of increasingly intergovernmental decision-making under pressure
Europeans (and non-Europeans) are watching
#EUCO
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
China, the US, & the far-right are all eating away at our continental capacity, civic space & polity. 90s deregulation, 00s atlanticist neoliberalism and modern-day Euroskepticism all point away from the EU while our citizens want more EU, more than ever. I am not optimistic.
Schlimmverbessern 101: Legislative predictability is more important for business than performative deregulation.
In a funny/tragic twist, it turns out the car lobby is now angry at the EU for getting rid of the 2035 internal-combustion engine ban.
That's the problem with giving in to lobbyists: whatever you do, it's never enough.
www.ft.com/content/5265...
That's the problem with giving in to lobbyists: whatever you do, it's never enough.
www.ft.com/content/5265...
Carmakers sour on EU’s ‘disastrous’ petrol engine rule changes
As details have become clearer, executives warn the easing of the combustion engine ban would lead to more expensive vehicles
www.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Schlimmverbessern 101: Legislative predictability is more important for business than performative deregulation.
Reposted by Anders Larson
Good. Go for it! But an Ukraine eurobond needs to be joint & several liability (that is, federal), issued by the EU Commission, paid for by genuine own resources not MS GNI contributions — so not like the previous NGE effort that encumbers national treasuries.
www.euractiv.com/news/belgium...
www.euractiv.com/news/belgium...
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Good. Go for it! But an Ukraine eurobond needs to be joint & several liability (that is, federal), issued by the EU Commission, paid for by genuine own resources not MS GNI contributions — so not like the previous NGE effort that encumbers national treasuries.
www.euractiv.com/news/belgium...
www.euractiv.com/news/belgium...
Schlimmverbessern 101: Austria acted early with higher wages (and support measures for energy costs, etc.), which helped households absorb initial cost shocks. But the result was that prices got “stuck” higher, so the intervention has made inflation more persistent in AT than elsewhere.
Zum Vergleich: Euro Raum im Schnitt: 2,4%
Die Inflation ist im November im Vergleich zum Vorjahresmonat bei 4,0 Prozent gelegen und damit den dritten Monat in Folge unverändert hoch.
December 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Schlimmverbessern 101: Austria acted early with higher wages (and support measures for energy costs, etc.), which helped households absorb initial cost shocks. But the result was that prices got “stuck” higher, so the intervention has made inflation more persistent in AT than elsewhere.
Reposted by Anders Larson
Zum Vergleich: Euro Raum im Schnitt: 2,4%
Die Inflation ist im November im Vergleich zum Vorjahresmonat bei 4,0 Prozent gelegen und damit den dritten Monat in Folge unverändert hoch.
December 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Zum Vergleich: Euro Raum im Schnitt: 2,4%
There are two immediate points: 1. Farage being a far/hard-right figure is already factored-in, and any attempt to brand him as such is like branding McDonalds as junk food. 2. Apologizing would hurt his political brand as someone who unapologetically speaks there mind.
“What disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it”
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage told to apologise by 26 of his school contemporaries
Open letter to Reform UK leader expresses ‘dismay and anger’ at his response to racism and antisemitism allegations
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
There are two immediate points: 1. Farage being a far/hard-right figure is already factored-in, and any attempt to brand him as such is like branding McDonalds as junk food. 2. Apologizing would hurt his political brand as someone who unapologetically speaks there mind.
Reposted by Anders Larson
"Suggesting that a state might withdraw from the ECHR or ignore CJEU rulings – even if done insincerely for short-term political gains – only normalises the agenda of the far right and reinforces the impression that euroscepticism and anti-immigrant positions were legitimate from the outset" 💯
As Donald Tusk’s rhetoric increasingly echoes Orbán, WOJCIECH ZOMERSKI sounds a warning for democratic restoration:
No force is immune to populism’s temptations, including those who claim to rescue us from it.
verfassungsblog.de/populism-pol...
No force is immune to populism’s temptations, including those who claim to rescue us from it.
verfassungsblog.de/populism-pol...
December 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
"Suggesting that a state might withdraw from the ECHR or ignore CJEU rulings – even if done insincerely for short-term political gains – only normalises the agenda of the far right and reinforces the impression that euroscepticism and anti-immigrant positions were legitimate from the outset" 💯
Reposted by Anders Larson
2/ China.....maybe its not just "cheap labor" and "subsidies"
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/c...
Why Can’t the U.S. Build 5-Minute E.V. Chargers?
www.nytimes.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
2/ China.....maybe its not just "cheap labor" and "subsidies"
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/c...
Pages can be turned very easily...
Poland's Donald Tusk says yesterday's Ukraine peace talks in Berlin were a "breakthrough" because, "perhaps for the first time, it was so clearly visible that the Americans, Europeans and Ukraine are on the same side".
He said that the US is offering strong security guarantees to Ukraine.
He said that the US is offering strong security guarantees to Ukraine.
Zachód tworzy wspólny front wobec Rosji. Tusk mówi o przełomie
Poniedziałkowe rozmowy w Berlinie przyniosły — zdaniem premiera Donalda Tuska — jakościową zmianę w podejściu Zachodu do wojny w Ukrainie. Szef polskiego rządu podkreślił, że po raz pierwszy tak wy...
businessinsider.com.pl
December 16, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Pages can be turned very easily...
My first British Christmas since I was a bairn.
December 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
My first British Christmas since I was a bairn.
I usually say that every innovation now makes sense if you realise it's designed for Mars and not Earth, but I still don't understand the point of hands-free driving. Can anyone illuminate me on why we are going all in for it?
Rivian's "Universal Hands Free" feature kicks off an "Autonomy+" subscription. Here's how it compares to Tesla, GM and Ford.
insideevs.com/news/781655/...
insideevs.com/news/781655/...
Here's How Much Rivian's Tesla FSD-Fighting Feature Will Cost And What You Get
Rivian's 'Universal Hands-Free' feature kicks off an 'Autonomy+' subscription. Here's how it compares to Tesla, GM and Ford.
insideevs.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I usually say that every innovation now makes sense if you realise it's designed for Mars and not Earth, but I still don't understand the point of hands-free driving. Can anyone illuminate me on why we are going all in for it?
YES
Lawyer Sues The IRS, Demanding It Recognize Pets As Legal Dependents
Lawyer Sues The IRS, Demanding It Recognize Pets As Legal Dependents
Pets run many human households, but when tax season comes, they don’t count—no matter how dependent on you they are. A lawsuit filed by Amanda Reynolds seeks to change that.
www.forbes.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:13 PM
YES
How many more people need to say it...
Das Problem ist nicht, dass es in Europa an Ideen oder Ehrgeiz mangelt. Es ist einfach nicht möglich, Innovationen zu kommerzialisieren, da uneinheitliche, restriktive Vorschriften von 27 verschiedene Regierungen behindern.
🎶 Wenn ich König von Europa wär' ... 🎶
www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/S...
🎶 Wenn ich König von Europa wär' ... 🎶
www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/S...
So könnte Europa im KI-Wettrennen bestehen
Europa hat Top-Talente, mehr Einwohner als die USA und jede Menge Ideen. Trotzdem dominieren die Tech-Riesen aus dem Silicon Valley den Kontinent. Für einen europäischen KI-Champion braucht es mehr Ge...
www.n-tv.de
December 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
How many more people need to say it...
Reposted by Anders Larson
“Post-liberalism” means two things:
1) I like the fascism, but I don’t think of myself as the sort of person who’d be into something so uncouth.
2) The woke made me do it, but since everyone’s opposed to liberty now, why don’t we acknowledge that some races, genders, and religions are lesser.
1) I like the fascism, but I don’t think of myself as the sort of person who’d be into something so uncouth.
2) The woke made me do it, but since everyone’s opposed to liberty now, why don’t we acknowledge that some races, genders, and religions are lesser.
December 13, 2025 at 1:48 PM
“Post-liberalism” means two things:
1) I like the fascism, but I don’t think of myself as the sort of person who’d be into something so uncouth.
2) The woke made me do it, but since everyone’s opposed to liberty now, why don’t we acknowledge that some races, genders, and religions are lesser.
1) I like the fascism, but I don’t think of myself as the sort of person who’d be into something so uncouth.
2) The woke made me do it, but since everyone’s opposed to liberty now, why don’t we acknowledge that some races, genders, and religions are lesser.
Reposted by Anders Larson
twitter-thread.com/t/1999521705...
Je ne sais pas si mon premier poste est passé alors je tente a nouveau!
Je ne sais pas si mon premier poste est passé alors je tente a nouveau!
DERMATOSE NODULAIRE CONTAGIEUSE BOVINE by @DrToudou(Dr Toudou) | Twitter Thread Reader
DERMATOSE NODULAIRE CONTAGIEUSE BOVINE
Bon. Vous me faites chier. Faut que je retourne au charbon. C‘est le bordel sur les réseaux là.
On va expliquer 2-3 trucs parce que toute cette histoire, c’est...
twitter-thread.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:03 PM
twitter-thread.com/t/1999521705...
Je ne sais pas si mon premier poste est passé alors je tente a nouveau!
Je ne sais pas si mon premier poste est passé alors je tente a nouveau!
We are so close..!
We really are on the brink of a health golden age.
Blood cancer therapy reverses incurable leukaemia in some patients
Seven out of 11 patients with incurable cancer who had the treatment appear to be cancer-free.
www.bbc.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
We are so close..!
This is very good news, and also proves what many of us have said for many deacdes: When there is sufficient political will, the treaties can be interpreted and used expansively. The obstacles to robust structural reform can no longer be said to be anything other than simple political choices.
I love those who bash this.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
Good work by Denmark, the Commission, Germany, France, others
"The Danish Presidency can inform that COREPER has agreed on a revised version of the Art. 122-proposal and approved the launch of a written procedure for formal Council decision by tomorrow around 5 pm," the Danish presidency announced
"The Danish Presidency can inform that COREPER has agreed on a revised version of the Art. 122-proposal and approved the launch of a written procedure for formal Council decision by tomorrow around 5 pm," the Danish presidency announced
December 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This is very good news, and also proves what many of us have said for many deacdes: When there is sufficient political will, the treaties can be interpreted and used expansively. The obstacles to robust structural reform can no longer be said to be anything other than simple political choices.
This simply cannot happen. Absorbing Ukraine without the Draghi and Letta reforms would strain the EU into intergovernmental crisis management and push it toward a de facto Europe of sovereign states.
I have wondered when the mainstream EU bubble would pick up the news that 'EU membership by 2027' is part of the newer Ukraine peace plans.
If in any way serious, this would upend the whole EU debate for 2026 and turn it into a make or break year for EU reform.
If in any way serious, this would upend the whole EU debate for 2026 and turn it into a make or break year for EU reform.
Ukraine would join EU by 2027 under draft peace plan
Fast-track entry to bloc being discussed by US and Ukrainian officials backed by Brussels in drive to end Russia’s war
giftarticle.ft.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This simply cannot happen. Absorbing Ukraine without the Draghi and Letta reforms would strain the EU into intergovernmental crisis management and push it toward a de facto Europe of sovereign states.
Reposted by Anders Larson
It's a rare politician these days who stands up for making the lives of immigrants easier, so let's hear it for Parti Socialiste's Colette Capdevielle.
Her bill (sadly doomed to fail) combines compassion with practicality, since 99% of renewal applications for long-term CdS are already granted
Her bill (sadly doomed to fail) combines compassion with practicality, since 99% of renewal applications for long-term CdS are already granted
French MPs pass bill to make carte de séjour renewals automatic
The French parliament has passed a bill that would make life a lot easier for many foreigners in France - making the renewal of long-term carte de séjour residency permits automatic.
www.thelocal.fr
December 12, 2025 at 10:24 AM
It's a rare politician these days who stands up for making the lives of immigrants easier, so let's hear it for Parti Socialiste's Colette Capdevielle.
Her bill (sadly doomed to fail) combines compassion with practicality, since 99% of renewal applications for long-term CdS are already granted
Her bill (sadly doomed to fail) combines compassion with practicality, since 99% of renewal applications for long-term CdS are already granted
Reposted by Anders Larson
Österreich bekommt zwei neue Eisenbahntunnel und der Erste ist eh noch nicht der Semmering-Tunnel und ich kann entspannt weiter über den Berg fahren. Aber bald ist auch meine Semmering-Lustfahrt dahin. Aber erst 2030.
Bis dahin kann ich meine schönen Ausblicke noch genießen.
Bis dahin kann ich meine schönen Ausblicke noch genießen.
December 12, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Österreich bekommt zwei neue Eisenbahntunnel und der Erste ist eh noch nicht der Semmering-Tunnel und ich kann entspannt weiter über den Berg fahren. Aber bald ist auch meine Semmering-Lustfahrt dahin. Aber erst 2030.
Bis dahin kann ich meine schönen Ausblicke noch genießen.
Bis dahin kann ich meine schönen Ausblicke noch genießen.
This is fascinating: this is the first article by a British journalist I have read that is wholly written in the new international English, a register that is entirely un-British.
"A sense that something has broken does not entail questioning the decency or inventiveness of the British people (although, who among us). It’s got nothing to do with the soul of the people, but instead concerns the functioning of the state."
No, Prime Minister, Things Weren’t Fine Before
No, Prime Minister, Things Weren’t Fine Before
No, Prime Minister, Things Weren’t Fine Before
Also this week: some notes on an evil death monkey; and the interactive map of the Roman Empire you’ve always dreamed of.
jonn.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This is fascinating: this is the first article by a British journalist I have read that is wholly written in the new international English, a register that is entirely un-British.
Everything everyone warned everyone else about Merz is true. Go figure!
Meine Güte, #Merz macht es immer schlimmer. Er nimmt seine Aussage von gestern nicht zurück, formuliert sie nur etwas um. Aussage bleibt gleich.
Und dann antwortet er auf die Frage, ob er sich bei Trumps Kritik an der Migrationspolitik in Europa angesprochen fühle...wie ein braver Schüler. 😖
Und dann antwortet er auf die Frage, ob er sich bei Trumps Kritik an der Migrationspolitik in Europa angesprochen fühle...wie ein braver Schüler. 😖
December 10, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Everything everyone warned everyone else about Merz is true. Go figure!