Seán Hanley
@drseanhanley.bsky.social
Assoc Professor in Comparative Central and East European Politics, UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. Personal take on politics, Eastern Europe and suburbia.
Indeed. And he’s also not writing about “gut appeal”.
It's good, not bad, that one senior politician is talking to another about ideas and policy, not treating everything like it is just one big exercise in election strategy.
Pretty predictable that the generation of Centrist politicians that underestimated Farage's populist gut appeal from the Right will also underestimate Polanski's populist gut appeal from the Left
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Indeed. And he’s also not writing about “gut appeal”.
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
Reposted by Seán Hanley
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:59 PM
After more than 10 years of “the Danish Model”, nativism is hegemonic in the country, the far right polls near level highs again, and the Social Democrats lost Copenhagen and poll at historic low.
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
European Social Democrats should look at the facts, not the myths!
Me in @theguardian.com
And older and middle aged can be the electoral backbone of some populist parties- the more interesting question, why the variation?
The radical right *is* rising across much of Europe. But the narrative that young people are leading the charge is overblown.
Gen Z is turning away from mainstream parties, but often the beneficiaries are left-insurgents like England's Greens, France's LFI, or Germany's Linke.
Gen Z is turning away from mainstream parties, but often the beneficiaries are left-insurgents like England's Greens, France's LFI, or Germany's Linke.
The Greens are winning the support of around half of 18 to 24 year olds.
Reform are on 5%. So much for young people's turn to the right!
And the Young Greens now have 40,000 members - the biggest youth and students wing in British politics
Reform are on 5%. So much for young people's turn to the right!
And the Young Greens now have 40,000 members - the biggest youth and students wing in British politics
November 20, 2025 at 7:29 PM
And older and middle aged can be the electoral backbone of some populist parties- the more interesting question, why the variation?
Winter is Coming - in the not unknown form of fateful alliances between the traditional right and the centre-right and technocratic centre-left with no better idea than to compete on cultural illiberalism. It won’t end well.
Strongly suspect that this is what will happen here in 28/9. Tories will replace Badenoch with a leader prepared to try it and Farage (as per 2019 but this time as the senior partner) will continue to deny he'll do a stand-down deal - right up until the point he does one.
French conservatives are inching towards a pact with Le Pen that could enable a far-right takeover of the country | Paul Taylor
In trying to woo Le Pen’s voters, Les Républicains risk destroying France’s Gaullist legacy and putting Paris on a collision course with the EU, says Paul Taylor of the European Policy Centre
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Winter is Coming - in the not unknown form of fateful alliances between the traditional right and the centre-right and technocratic centre-left with no better idea than to compete on cultural illiberalism. It won’t end well.
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Have been thinking about “immigration has been tearing this country apart.” Surely I’m not the only person to think that it isn’t true, but inflamed rhetoric about immigration by politicians is what is tearing this country apart and so statements like that only makes it worse.
November 18, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Have been thinking about “immigration has been tearing this country apart.” Surely I’m not the only person to think that it isn’t true, but inflamed rhetoric about immigration by politicians is what is tearing this country apart and so statements like that only makes it worse.
Velvet, Tender, Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Umbrella …. and now the Chalk Revolution.
Robert Fico’s efforts to debate wuth high school students - clips of him sound patronising - backfire… spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
Robert Fico’s efforts to debate wuth high school students - clips of him sound patronising - backfire… spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
News digest: Slovakia’s chalk revolution
Train crash déjà vu, a breakthrough for Roma housing — and letters to Ježiško begin.
spectator.sme.sk
November 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Velvet, Tender, Orange, Rose, Jasmine, Umbrella …. and now the Chalk Revolution.
Robert Fico’s efforts to debate wuth high school students - clips of him sound patronising - backfire… spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
Robert Fico’s efforts to debate wuth high school students - clips of him sound patronising - backfire… spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
Great podcast. This long winding red brick company town is the most atypical Czech city you’ll ever see. Built on shoes, not cars of course….
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...
Zlín: the Detroit of Moravia
Podcast Episode · Czechast, Radio Prague International · 15/11/2025 · 59m
podcasts.apple.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Great podcast. This long winding red brick company town is the most atypical Czech city you’ll ever see. Built on shoes, not cars of course….
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...
Think @theguardian.com @jonhenley.bsky.social don’t have it 100% right here. Nothing in Czech Constitution as far as I know on conflict of interest. Presidential Office relying Constitutional Court ruling on conflict of interest laws how prez can take into account www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Trumpist’ Czech PM-elect refuses to sell business empire amid conflict-of-interest row
Billionaire populist Andrej Babiš insists he will meet legal obligations before taking office but does not explain how
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Think @theguardian.com @jonhenley.bsky.social don’t have it 100% right here. Nothing in Czech Constitution as far as I know on conflict of interest. Presidential Office relying Constitutional Court ruling on conflict of interest laws how prez can take into account www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
They were talking after Fico first ruled it out in July (see below) but now Slovak media says it’s off again with Smer and Patriots for Europe. www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
MSN
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/slovakia-s-robert-fico-in-talks-with-viktor-orbán-about-his-smer-party-joining-patriots-for-europe/ar-AA1P7d13
November 13, 2025 at 11:38 PM
They were talking after Fico first ruled it out in July (see below) but now Slovak media says it’s off again with Smer and Patriots for Europe. www.msn.com/en-us/politi...
Reposted by Seán Hanley
#Farright and centre right unite in #EU parliament to undermine green rules
www.ft.com/content/387d... #politics
www.ft.com/content/387d... #politics
Far right and centre right unite in EU parliament to undermine green rules
Legislation marks definitive proof that ‘cordon sanitaire’ to prevent far-right forces from shaping policy no longer works
www.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
#Farright and centre right unite in #EU parliament to undermine green rules
www.ft.com/content/387d... #politics
www.ft.com/content/387d... #politics
Reposted by Seán Hanley
"What matters is people’s party identification not the constituency they live in....Blue Labour believe...that Labour voters in the marginal Red Wall district have fundamentally different views on social...issues than Labour voters in safe London seats. They don’t." Fab by @benansell.bsky.social
Labour at the Margin...
...of survival
benansell.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
"What matters is people’s party identification not the constituency they live in....Blue Labour believe...that Labour voters in the marginal Red Wall district have fundamentally different views on social...issues than Labour voters in safe London seats. They don’t." Fab by @benansell.bsky.social
Bloomsbury already looking pretty festive this evening.
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Bloomsbury already looking pretty festive this evening.
A supplement to your compulsory company training - courtesy of @privateeyenews.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 10:59 PM
A supplement to your compulsory company training - courtesy of @privateeyenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Typically excellent by @anandmenon.bsky.social
Reflections on the Brexit Revolution: 2025-26 Mackenzie-Stuart Lecture
YouTube video by Cambridge Law Faculty
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Typically excellent by @anandmenon.bsky.social
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Is #Russia the most malign actor in the global information sphere? Listen to another episode of my 🎙 #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora. I talked to #foreignpolicy and #security expert Jennifer Irish.
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and...
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and...
Is Russia the most malign actor in the global information sphere? by The Global Agora
How has the nature of threats changed over the past decades? With a 36-year career in Canada’s foreign service and security community, Jennifer Irish can tell. We met at the Stratcom Under Pressure co...
podcasters.spotify.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Is #Russia the most malign actor in the global information sphere? Listen to another episode of my 🎙 #podcast, #TheGlobalAgora. I talked to #foreignpolicy and #security expert Jennifer Irish.
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and...
▶️ podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/and...
Reposted by Seán Hanley
"The fact is that, through our own stupid fault, we’ve lost our status as the main Right-of-centre party. It’s now time to accept this loss — and focus instead on something we’ve gained....[W]e represent the neither/nor option i.e. neither unfettered populism nor a new coalition of chaos."
Peter Franklin: Here's a plot twist - could tactical voting save the Conservative Party? | Conservative Home
If a Tory candidate is reckoned more capable of beating Reform — as is plausible in parts of the country that were, until recently, True Blue — then tactical voting could make all the difference.
conservativehome.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:29 AM
"The fact is that, through our own stupid fault, we’ve lost our status as the main Right-of-centre party. It’s now time to accept this loss — and focus instead on something we’ve gained....[W]e represent the neither/nor option i.e. neither unfettered populism nor a new coalition of chaos."
Czechoslovak Legion could have prevented formation of Soviet Union claims Czech historian.
Now there’s a thought.
www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/magaz...
Now there’s a thought.
www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/magaz...
Československé legie mohly zabránit vzniku Sovětského svazu, říká historik
- Seznam Zprávy
Ke Dni válečných veteránů poskytl Seznam Zprávám rozhovor historik Jan Rychlík. Připomněl obrovské množství padlých Čechů v první světové válce, vliv války na vznik Československa i úspěchy legionářů,...
www.seznamzpravy.cz
November 11, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Czechoslovak Legion could have prevented formation of Soviet Union claims Czech historian.
Now there’s a thought.
www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/magaz...
Now there’s a thought.
www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/magaz...
Reposted by Seán Hanley
sometimes to read a book of poetry is to be reminded that another person is much funnier and better at expressing their pain than you are
November 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
sometimes to read a book of poetry is to be reminded that another person is much funnier and better at expressing their pain than you are
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Slovak prosecutor decides giving #Ukraine fighter jets was not a crime
www.politico.eu/article/slov... #Slovakia #Putinswar #Russia
www.politico.eu/article/slov... #Slovakia #Putinswar #Russia
Slovak prosecutor decides giving Ukraine fighter jets was not a crime
A probe concludes that the donation of military equipment to Kyiv did not cause any domestic harm to Slovakia.
www.politico.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Slovak prosecutor decides giving #Ukraine fighter jets was not a crime
www.politico.eu/article/slov... #Slovakia #Putinswar #Russia
www.politico.eu/article/slov... #Slovakia #Putinswar #Russia
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Jingoistic types have knowingly stepped into the vexillological vacuum of European flag bearing. Mindful of the provocation, moderates are striking back. The subtext is that progressives need not leave patriotism to the demagogic fringes
Why moderates are reclaiming Europe’s national flags
Populists and nativists have usurped them
econ.st
November 11, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Jingoistic types have knowingly stepped into the vexillological vacuum of European flag bearing. Mindful of the provocation, moderates are striking back. The subtext is that progressives need not leave patriotism to the demagogic fringes
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Ukraine’s best defence against Putin’s energy war is more attacks on Russia’s oil refining sector
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/ukra... #Ukraine #Putinswar #Russia
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/ukra... #Ukraine #Putinswar #Russia
Ukraine’s best defence against Putin’s energy war is more attacks on Russia’s oil refining sector
Moscow is attempting to break Ukraine’s will to fight with more frequent mass drone and missile attacks on its power sector. To counter this pressure, Kyiv needs to increase its attacks on Russia’s oi...
www.chathamhouse.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Ukraine’s best defence against Putin’s energy war is more attacks on Russia’s oil refining sector
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/ukra... #Ukraine #Putinswar #Russia
www.chathamhouse.org/2025/11/ukra... #Ukraine #Putinswar #Russia
Reposted by Seán Hanley
Tim Berners-Lee dreamed of a World Wide Web for everyone. Nick Clegg and Meta had different ideas. In new books, both ignore how profit undermined the internet.
The Men Who Shaped the Internet Won’t Be Able to Fix It
Tim Berners-Lee dreamed of a World Wide Web for everyone. Nick Clegg and Meta had different ideas. In new books, both ignore how profit undermined the internet.
bloom.bg
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Tim Berners-Lee dreamed of a World Wide Web for everyone. Nick Clegg and Meta had different ideas. In new books, both ignore how profit undermined the internet.
Reposted by Seán Hanley
incredible that these guys have a massive hard on for a country that, if it were a state, would rank behind kansas in terms of wealth and which would be a total backwater if it weren’t economically integrated with more functional countries
November 8, 2025 at 5:48 PM
incredible that these guys have a massive hard on for a country that, if it were a state, would rank behind kansas in terms of wealth and which would be a total backwater if it weren’t economically integrated with more functional countries
Reposted by Seán Hanley
The Slow Death of Russian Oil:
Why Ukraine’s Campaign Against Moscow’s Energy Sector Is Working
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/slow-... via @foreignaffairs.com #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar
Why Ukraine’s Campaign Against Moscow’s Energy Sector Is Working
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/slow-... via @foreignaffairs.com #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar
The Slow Death of Russian Oil
Why Ukraine’s campaign against Moscow’s energy sector is working.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The Slow Death of Russian Oil:
Why Ukraine’s Campaign Against Moscow’s Energy Sector Is Working
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/slow-... via @foreignaffairs.com #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar
Why Ukraine’s Campaign Against Moscow’s Energy Sector Is Working
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/slow-... via @foreignaffairs.com #Russia #Ukraine #Putinswar