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It is considered one of the greatest threats of the 21st century: climate change. How can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions? And how can we deal with the consequences? This dossier provides an overview of the many challenges facing climate policy at European and international level.

Those paying attention have seen this coming for years.

Britain does not have enough skilled workers to meet Labour’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

This stark reality was highlighted on the front page of The Independent on 17 February 2025, yet Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner insists it’s no excuse. But excuses are irrelevant – facts remain facts.

Post-Brexit and post-Covid, Britain is suffering a chronic shortage of both skills and workers.

The construction sector is no exception.

Without a sufficient workforce, housing plans remain just that – plans. This is precisely why Britain now relies on millions of migrant workers to fill gaps in industries ranging from healthcare to agriculture and, crucially, construction.

The truth is, this crisis was avoidable.

When Britain was part of the EU, workers from our own continent could travel freely to meet labour demand. This fluid workforce ensured industries had the people they needed, when they needed them. But Brexit shattered that dynamic.

Now, in a desperate scramble to plug the gaps, the government – whether Tory or Labour – is handing out work visas to hundreds of thousands of people from countries thousands of miles away, including India, the Philippines, and Nigeria.

Yet, even with these efforts, it’s still not enough.

The result? A nation unable to house its people, spiralling construction costs, and projects stalled due to workforce shortages. This is the tangible cost of Brexit.

Had we remained in the EU, Britain wouldn’t be in this predicament.

European builders, engineers, and tradespeople who once came and went with ease are now entangled in red tape – or simply staying away. And with them, the possibility of meeting Britain’s housing targets disappears.

This isn’t an abstract issue.

The housing shortage is worsening the cost-of-living crisis, pushing homeownership further out of reach for millions, and deepening social inequality.

1.5 million homes aren’t just a political talking point – they are a necessity for a functioning, fair society.

There is a solution, but neither major party has the courage to embrace it.

Eventually, a government with foresight will emerge – one that understands the need to reverse the damage and bring Britain back to economic and social sanity.

That means rejoining the EU.

Britain doesn’t have to suffer needlessly when the remedy is clear. It’s only a matter of time before the electorate demands it.

• Join the discussion about this post on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky
• Related video: Why Britain needs migrants

• Migrants are a boon, not a burden: BBC report from 2021 on post-Brexit shortage of construction workers



• • • Post Brexit blues: Video report from 2021 on the shortage of construction workers



The post Britain’s housing crisis: Another Brexit disaster appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

LA CHRONIQUE DE SOPHIE COIGNARD. Tout semble bon, chez LFI, pour faire tomber un Premier ministre qui, il est vrai, se defend bien maladroitement.

Gaza, Syria, and the region’s next crisis.

The fentanyl crisis requires a more comprehensive strategy than threats and tariffs.

Notre invitée au cœur de l'info est venue nous parler de "pandémie numérique". Alors que l'IA était sur toutes les lèvres cette semaine, nous avons voulu prendre le temps de comprendre ces algorithmes qui entrent dans nos vies, dès la naissance et peuvent conditionner le développement des enfants. Sylvie Dieu Osika reçoit de plus en plus de très jeunes enfants dépendants avec des conséquences observables sur leur développement.

 

A kecskeméti Mercedes-Benz Gyár a régió legnagyobb munkáltatójaként elkötelezett a sport és az utánpótlásnevelés iránt.  

A társasági adóról és az osztalékadóról szóló 1996. évi LXXXI. törvény (TAO tv.) 24/A §-a rendelkezik a látvány-csapatsport támogatást érintő adófelajánlás intézményéről, mely alapján társasági adójából a Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft. (MBMH) a Nemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal (NAV) felé tett rendelkező nyilatkozata útján támogatni kívánja a fenti tevékenységeket.  A látvány-csapatsportok támogatása esetében a rendelkező nyilatkozatban felajánlott összeg 12,5 százaléka kiegészítő sportfejlesztési támogatásnak minősül. A kiegészítő sportfejlesztési támogatásról az MBMH és a látvány-csapatsportban tevékenykedő szervezet szerződésben rendelkezik arról, hogy az MBMH szponzorációs ellenszolgáltatásra jogosult. 

Le mois de l’Histoire des Noirs, le mois de février, est célébré principalement dans des pays comme les États-Unis, le Canada, ou le Royaume Uni, par des conférences, des activités culturelles diverses. Qu’en est-il de la France ? Philomé Robert a posé la question à Christian Eboulé, journaliste à TV 5 Monde et auteur d'un roman, Le Testament de Charles.

La température moyenne de l'Adriatique devrait augmenter de 2°C d'ici 2050. Des espèces invasives encore inconnues prolifèrent, tandis que les activités traditionnelles, comme l'élevage des moules, sont menacées. En Croatie comme en Italie, les pêcheurs ne comprennent plus « leur mer ».

- Articles / Croatie, Environnement, Economie, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso, Adriatique, changement climatique

Dans le dernier livre enquête de Gérard Davet et Fabrice Lhomme, il est question de la gestion de la crise sanitaire et de la responsabilité de l'état. Les deux hommes ont plongé dans l'enquête vertigineuse menée par la Cour de justice de la République, seule juridiction habilitée à juger des ministres pour les actes commis dans l’exercice de leur fonction. Gérard Davet est venu présenter leur enquête sur le plateau de France 24.

Le Premier ministre, François Bayrou, a rencontré samedi des victimes de violences sexuelles au collège-lycée Bétharram, dans les Pyrénées-Atlantiques. À l'issue de cet entretien, le chef du gouvernement a affirmé avoir "fait ce qu'(il) devait faire" lorsqu'il était ministre de l'Éducation nationale entre 1993 et 1997.

A vote for Brexit was a vote for Putin.

Since the 2016 EU referendum, evidence has mounted that Russian interference helped secure the narrow ‘Leave’ victory.

By weakening the EU and sowing division, Brexit played into Vladimir Putin’s hands while delivering no tangible benefits to Britain.

Putin has long viewed the collapse of the Soviet Union as a “major geopolitical disaster” and has consistently sought to weaken the EU while restoring Russian influence over former Soviet states.

Brexit was a significant strategic win for Moscow.

 RUSSIA’S COVERT INFLUENCE

Reports from multiple sources, including The Guardian, The Times, and the UK Parliament, revealed that Russian-backed social media accounts posted tens of thousands of messages in the days leading up to the Brexit vote, overwhelmingly promoting Leave.

Research by Swansea University and the University of California, Berkeley, found that over 150,000 Russian-linked accounts suddenly pivoted to Brexit-related content, influencing millions of voters.

The UK Parliament’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee confirmed that these efforts aimed to increase tensions and undermine Britain’s democratic process. Committee chair Damian Collins MP warned this was likely “just the tip of the iceberg.”

Despite these findings, the British government repeatedly refused to launch a full-scale investigation.

Even after the Russia Report was published in 2020 by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee, confirming systemic Russian interference in UK politics, no meaningful action was taken.

 THE UK’S COMPLICITY

Successive UK governments have ignored the growing threat of Russian influence.

Oligarchs with Kremlin ties poured millions into British politics, particularly the Conservative Party, turning London into a hub for Russian money laundering – earning the nickname ‘Londongrad.’

Cross-party MPs, including Labour’s Chris Bryant and Green Party’s Caroline Lucas, repeatedly warned of the dangers, but their concerns were dismissed.

Even after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK was slow to freeze Russian assets and sanction oligarchs.

A new Labour government took power in 2024, raising hopes for a fresh approach.

However, despite mounting evidence that Russia played a key role in fueling and funding Brexit, Labour has not committed to investigating alleged interference in the EU referendum or other democratic processes in the UK.

 A WIDER RUSSIAN PLAYBOOK

Russia’s tactics in Britain were not isolated.

While many former Soviet bloc countries remain staunchly pro-EU and wary of Russian influence, some, notably Hungary and Slovakia, have taken a different path.

Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary has repeatedly blocked EU sanctions against Russia, maintained close economic ties with Moscow, and adopted a pro-Kremlin stance on key issues, including energy dependence.

Slovakia, following the election of Robert Fico as Prime Minister, has also signaled a more Russia-friendly position, reducing support for Ukraine and opposing further European intervention.

These shifts pose a challenge for EU unity, as Putin seeks to exploit internal divisions, weakening the bloc’s collective response to Russian aggression.

Moscow has also engaged in cyberwarfare, disinformation campaigns, and financial backing for far-right and nationalist parties across Europe to weaken EU cohesion.

By 2017, Russia had amassed 2,500 troops near Latvia and Estonia, heightening fears of aggression.

These concerns escalated further in 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite having repeatedly denied any such plans.

 THE TRUMP FACTOR AND NEED FOR STRONGER EU TIES

The situation has become even more precarious with the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in 2025.

Trump has made statements appearing to favour Putin over Europe, openly criticised NATO, and questioned US commitment to European security.

His wavering stance on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression has emboldened Moscow and left Europe more vulnerable.

With the US no longer a reliable ally, the UK’s alliance with the EU is more crucial than ever.

The EU remains the strongest force resisting Putin’s expansionism, coordinating sanctions, military aid, and humanitarian support for Ukraine.

Britain must recognise that its interests align with Europe – not with an increasingly isolationist and unpredictable US administration.

 LEGAL CHALLENGES AND POLITICAL INACTION

Frustrated by the government’s failure to act, in March 2022 cross-party MPs Ben Bradshaw (Labour), Caroline Lucas (Green), and Alyn Smith (SNP) took the case to the  European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

They argued that the UK’s refusal to investigate Russian interference violated democratic rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The UK government was given until April 2023 to respond. Predictably, it downplayed the allegations and offered no substantive counter-investigation.

The refusal to engage reflects a deeper unwillingness to acknowledge that Brexit – hailed as a victory for sovereignty – was, in part, manipulated by a hostile foreign power.

The ECHR ruling has yet to be delivered, and there is no indication of when it will be.

However, when it does, it is expected to be major news. The case remains a key moment in determining accountability for foreign interference in UK democracy.

 THE PATH FORWARD

Brexit was a strategic success for Putin but a devastating blow to Britain.

The economic, political, and social consequences are increasingly clear. The UK’s international standing has diminished, businesses have struggled, and trade with Europe has suffered.

But there is a way forward. The UK must:

• Acknowledge and investigate Russian interference in Brexit and UK politics.
• Strengthen ties with the EU, recognising the benefits of European collaboration in trade, security, and global influence – in other words, being back IN the the EU.
• Expose and counter Russian influence, ensuring that UK democracy is not for sale to the highest bidder.

The ultimate repudiation of Putin’s interference would be a national commitment to rebuilding Britain’s European partnerships – including rejoining the EU, at least in the longer term.

The damage caused by Brexit is not irreversible, but time is running out.

The UK must choose: stand with its European allies or remain a pawn in Putin’s geopolitical ambitions.

The clock is ticking.

• Join the discussion about this post on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky 
• Earlier versions of this post were published in February 2024, February 2023, March 2022, February 2022, and November 2017.
• Related article from 2013: Latvia: From Soviet Union to European Union

• Related video – Putin’s interference in UK democracy, as explained by British MPs (will be updated later in 2025)



• Related video: Boris Johnson and the Russian connection



• Related video: Message for Russian people



• Related video: Stanley Johnson (Boris Johnson’s father) and the Russian Connection

The post How Brexit played into Putin’s hands appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

À l’heure où le nombre de Français vivant seul est en constante augmentation et où l’activité sexuelle est en baisse, l'amour serait-il en crise? Ou simplement en pleine mutation ? Rencontre avec Armelle Andro, Professeure à l'Institut de démographie de l'Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. â

A KAP keretében hamarosan megjelenő "Egyedi szennyvízkezelési megoldások támogatása" pályázat keretében a vidéki térségben működő önkormányzatok és önkormányzati társulások akár 300 millió forint 95%-os támogatást is igényelhetnek alternatív szennyvíztisztítási megoldások kialakítására.

Au cœur d'une tempête médiatique, le Premier ministre François Bayrou a prévu de rencontrer samedi le collectif des victimes de violences et agressions sexuelles subies au collège-lycée de Bétharram à Pau. Le ministère de l'Éducation nationale a demandé vendredi au rectorat de Bordeaux d'inspecter l'établissement catholique.

Die Zukunft des Gazastreifens hängt von vielen Faktoren ab, darunter die Stabilität des Waffenstillstands und die Bereitschaft der internationalen Gemeinschaft, in den Wiederaufbau zu investieren. Dr. Muriel Asseburg betonte auf radioeins, dass ohne nachhaltige Lösungen die Gefahr weiterer gewalttätiger Konfrontationen besteht.

Russia's pipeline natural gas exports could see a significant increase, reaching approximately 240 billion cubic meters per year. This means that supply volumes could not only double compared to current levels but also surpass the highest figures recorded in previous years. These conclusions stem from a statement by Pavel Zavalny, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy. Speaking at the XXII International Forum Gas Russia 2025, Zavalny noted that such export growth would be possible if the current level of demand for Russian gas on international markets is maintained.

Committee meetings

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2025 - EP

C'est la plus grosse affaire de corruption jamais révélée en Albanie. Le maire de Tirana, Erion Veliaj a été arrêté mercredi. Il est soupçonné, avec son épouse Ajona Xoxa, de corruption et de blanchiment d'argent. Le scandale éclabousse le Premier ministre Edi Rama.

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Albanie, PS Albanie, Défense, police et justice, Politique