Denis MacShane

Ex Europe Minister, Speaker/Writer EU policy, politics. Latest book "Labour takes power. The Denis MacShane Diaries 1997-2001." Contact via Linked In

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Articles

Labour’s Deafening Silence on Turkey’s Jailed Opposition Leader Raises Eyebrows

1 month ago | socialeurope.eu | Denis MacShane

European leaders speak out as Istanbul’s popular mayor is imprisoned — but Labour remains curiously quiet. One of my earliest acts of international solidarity came 45 years ago, when I joined a high-level European trade union delegation to Turkey, shortly after the military coup of 1980. We were a diverse group — British and European trade unionists — trying to make sense of a complex and tense political situation.
Germany is Not “Lurching to the Right”

Feb 26, 2025 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

The German election outcome is being reported by the BBC, FT and other establishment media as a “lurch to the right.” It has never been clear what a “lurch” actually means in the lexicon of political clichés. However, those in Britain or J.D. Vance and Elon Musk in the United States who went out of their way to endorse the AfD surely are disappointed. Germans say “Nein Danke” More than 4 out of 5 German said “Nein Danke” to the AfD offer.
With Trump Elected, Quo Vadis Europe?

Nov 19, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

The just concluded U.S. presidential election was at least the most important election for Europe and the world this century. It is indisputable that Donald Trump incarnates the U.S. turn to populist, nationalist and divisive politics. Trump and Europe’s spreading anti-immigrant mood Trump has plenty of allies in Europe with the rise of Marine Le Pen, Giorgia Meloni, Geert Wilders, Nigel Farage, Robert Fico, Viktor Orban, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the AfD in Germany or FPÖ in Austria and VOX in Spain.
Will Greece Break the Mold of 21st Century European Politics?

Oct 22, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

Greece likes to proclaim itself as the cradle of democracy. It is a fair claim, since many of the ground rules of democracy – secret ballots, open debates, enforceable laws and treatises on political philosophy – were set out in Athens 2,500 years ago. And Greece has bucked the trend of 21st century politics.
Michel Barnier: Succeed, Muddle Through or Forced to Resign?

Sep 20, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

Paris. I have been patrolling the corridors of Paris politics – ministers, politicians, influencers – ever since I wrote the first biography in English of François Mitterrand 40 years ago. Unless reason prevails…In all those years, I have never come across such disarray, uncertainty and fear. Unless reason prevails, France may be on the brink of a breakdown of democratic, give-and-take politics.
Meet Michel Barnier, France’s Prime Minister-Designate

Sep 6, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

It took many weeks, but France may at long last finally be on the road to having a government. French politics divided into thirds The goal is to try to establish a functioning government to emerge after Marcon’s folly of dissolving the National Assembly. The result was like the structure of Caesar’s Gaul — French politics divided into thirds.
Can France Be Governed?

Aug 12, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

Le Bugue, Dordogne. At present, there is much ponderous pontification about the state of France. Two key questions: Is France becoming ungovernable under an unpopular, unwanted President? And is that president, consciously or not, opening the doors of power to the far right? France’s big divide The French like to draw a distinction between the cosmopolitan cities of France, along with its clever graduates of the grandes écoles that produce the nation’s elites and la France profonde.
Who Is Keir Starmer?

Jul 7, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

Who is Sir Keir Starmer — now the most solidly implanted leader of the left in Europe? He is the same age as Clement Attlee, Labour’s most famous Prime Minister, who served from 1945 to 1951.
Beyond Slovakia: The New Politics of Hate Takes Root In Europe

May 23, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

There is a new divide in politics in Europe. The 20th century ideological divide between left and right is still there, but now the new powerful emotions of outright hate have come to the fore in an increasing number of countries. A tragedy waiting to happen, but…Which is why the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, out campaigning for his party’s candidates for the European Parliament election in early June, was a tragedy waiting to happen.
Orban’s Delusions of Grandeur

Apr 20, 2024 | theglobalist.com | Denis MacShane |Markus Heinrich

Britain has one big chain of stores – WH Smiths – which sells newspapers, magazines, reviews, books, stationery and other related products. Its shops are found on high streets, railway stations and airports. Regular users of WH Smith have in the last few years been puzzled by a new addition to the weekly magazines on sale. The Hungarian Conservative Review is a hefty, handsomely printed 120-page journal – rather like university review journals aimed at a specialist audience.