Domestic Politics

The European Union's big project of consultation with its citizens kicked off in Strasbourg on 9 May - Europe Day. The Conference on the Future of Europe is meant to provide an opportunity for all EU citizens to participate in the debate on how the EU should be shaped through a series of digital platforms and citizens' panels. Sunday's Strasbourg meeting was filled with big words by EU leaders. There was talk of "a new beginning", the "next generation of Europeans" and "a democratic wind". European Commission president, Ursula Von der Leyen, spoke of the opportunity "to simplify" the EU "and make it more 'down to earth' where necessary".

Alliances are being formed between Armenian political parties ahead of the 20 June parliamentary elections. Whilst they all claim to want to oust the current prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, they are all also busy competing against each other. Despite this, the next Armenian government is likely to be a coalition government, argues Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed for commonspace.eu

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, stressed in a speech yesterday evening (5 April) the importance that his country adheres to the democratic approach, and commits to meaningful dialogue. 

In a recent wide-ranging interview Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, appeared to be reinterpreting – if not exactly redefining – the relationship between state and religion in the Kingdom. This is highly dangerous and uncharted territory for a Saudi leader, but something that is absolutely necessary if the Kingdom is to reinvent itself as a modern progressive state, whilst respecting the religious foundations which are part of its legacy and legitimacy.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has dissolved the country's parliament and called snap elections for July 11, shortly after the Constitutional Court canceled a state of emergency that lawmakers had approved.

The election of the new Speaker of the Georgian parliament coincides with a thaw in the political crisis as a number of opposition MPs return to parliament following intensive mediation efforts conducted by the European Union.

Chad's new military transitional government rejected any negotiations with the rebels who are held responsible for killing the country's former president, Idris Deby, last week.  “Faced with this situation that endangers Chad and the stability of the entire sub-region, this is not the time for mediation or negotiation with outlaws,” a Chadian government official insisted