Cleo Davies
@cleodavies.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Politics and International Relations at Forward College in Paris. Formerly with PAIS Warwick Uni on project ‘Living with the Neighbours: the UK, the EU and wider Europe' - UK in a Changing Europe.
One to follow👇
Hi Bluesky. We’re Contemporary European Politics (CEP) a journal by Wiley & UACES, publishing cutting-edge research on the politics, governance & societies of Europe.
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Follow us for new articles, special issues, & insights shaping Europe’s future.
#EuropeanPolitics #AcademicResearch #UACES #Wiley
October 15, 2025 at 8:18 PM
One to follow👇
Surprising how little analysis there is outside of Spain on explaining the country's performance.
Spain's coalition government agrees to bind the right to an abortion within the constitution.
Just as the IMF upgrades Spain's economic performance for 2025 (+0.4 to 2.9%) and 2026.
As basic liberal ideas and a successful economy sit well together.
Still.
elpais.com/espana/2025-...
Just as the IMF upgrades Spain's economic performance for 2025 (+0.4 to 2.9%) and 2026.
As basic liberal ideas and a successful economy sit well together.
Still.
elpais.com/espana/2025-...
PSOE y Sumar pactan el texto para blindar el derecho al aborto en la Constitución
“El ejercicio de este derecho será garantizado por los poderes públicos, asegurando su prestación en condiciones de igualdad efectiva, así como la protección de los derechos fundamentales de las mujer...
elpais.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Surprising how little analysis there is outside of Spain on explaining the country's performance.
At this stage, the only other ones who would have said yes to the job were the socialists but Macron wouldn't go there. Shame for Lecornu who has done a solid job since 2017 in Macron's party in government. However his second term as PM ends, he will probably be burnt politically.
🇫🇷
Macron has reappointed Lecornu
Incredible
(Not in a good sense)
Macron has reappointed Lecornu
Incredible
(Not in a good sense)
October 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
At this stage, the only other ones who would have said yes to the job were the socialists but Macron wouldn't go there. Shame for Lecornu who has done a solid job since 2017 in Macron's party in government. However his second term as PM ends, he will probably be burnt politically.
And indeed, Macron has just re-appointed Lecornu as PM & asked him to form a gvt... A reminder Macron appointed Lecornu as PM on 9 September; the latter finally announced a govt on Sunday before resigning Monday morning. So France keeps same caretaker govt for now. 1/2 🧵
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
And indeed, Macron has just re-appointed Lecornu as PM & asked him to form a gvt... A reminder Macron appointed Lecornu as PM on 9 September; the latter finally announced a govt on Sunday before resigning Monday morning. So France keeps same caretaker govt for now. 1/2 🧵
On polls mentioned in article in case of a parliamentary election: one must recall how very difficult if it is to make any projections because of the two round system and what French call 'le jeu des alliances' (party alliances) & voting instructions between rounds.
How domestic deadlock brought Jupiterian Macron back to earth on.ft.com/3KHU92u | opinion
How domestic deadlock brought Jupiterian Macron back to earth
Only the spectre of the far right in government might save the embattled French president and his ambitions for Europe
on.ft.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
On polls mentioned in article in case of a parliamentary election: one must recall how very difficult if it is to make any projections because of the two round system and what French call 'le jeu des alliances' (party alliances) & voting instructions between rounds.
Well well. The latest twist in the fallout of #Brexit for Gibraltar.
Gibraltar suspends applications for residence after treaty news prompted flood of requests from Brits.
www.chronicle.gi/new-residenc...
www.chronicle.gi/new-residenc...
October 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Well well. The latest twist in the fallout of #Brexit for Gibraltar.
Such a silly piece. Analysis (🤔) is shockingly shallow. And style/metaphors ridiculous: 'Europeans are attached to their cuddlier form of capitalism'... All pink and fluffy this side of the pond... 'job security was once Europe's comfort blanket. It now feels more like a straightjacket'. 🙄
Words cannot describe how tone-deaf it is to publish this article at this moment.
But The Economist has been consistently tone-deaf in their Europe coverage for years. They will never get over their obsession with America, even as the US descends toward dictatorship or civil war.
But The Economist has been consistently tone-deaf in their Europe coverage for years. They will never get over their obsession with America, even as the US descends toward dictatorship or civil war.
October 6, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Such a silly piece. Analysis (🤔) is shockingly shallow. And style/metaphors ridiculous: 'Europeans are attached to their cuddlier form of capitalism'... All pink and fluffy this side of the pond... 'job security was once Europe's comfort blanket. It now feels more like a straightjacket'. 🙄
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 6, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Another scenario in immediate aftermath of 🇫🇷 PM quitting is: Macron does nothing. It took him two months to nominate Barnier after2024 elections, an unprecedented, though not strictly anticonstitutional,amount of time. He may think he can just leave this govt in place to manage things for months...
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
October 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Another PM quits in 🇫🇷, less than 24 hours after announcing the ministers in his government. Sébastien Lecornu quit this morning; he was nominated by President Macron immediately after Francois Bayrou quit as PM 9 September after loosing a vote of confidence. This is what could happen next 1/4
@politico.eu takes up prof Richard Whitman’s metaphor for European Political Community: one big leader-level ‘speed dating exercise’. Article 👇 reflects views of 🇪🇺 member states; BUT no views from non 🇪🇺 states 🤔 www.politico.eu/article/macr...
Macron’s big European meeting is turning into a speed-dating exercise
The once-hyped European Political Community hasn’t produced major deliverables, but it’s still useful for dialogue and showcasing policy initiatives.
www.politico.eu
October 2, 2025 at 5:56 AM
@politico.eu takes up prof Richard Whitman’s metaphor for European Political Community: one big leader-level ‘speed dating exercise’. Article 👇 reflects views of 🇪🇺 member states; BUT no views from non 🇪🇺 states 🤔 www.politico.eu/article/macr...
On 2 October, 🇩🇰 hosts 7th European Political Community (EPC) summit. Despite no joint statement or commitments to action, 45+ heads of states & gvts continue to attend twice a year + summit hosts are lined up until 2028. @monikameislova.bsky.social & I on last summit 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/europes-lead...
Europe’s leaders converge in Tirana for the sixth EPC summit - UK in a changing Europe
Cleo Davies and Monika Brusenbauch Meislová explain the history and the structure of the European Political Community summit that brings together leaders from across Europe twice a year ahead of the s...
ukandeu.ac.uk
September 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
On 2 October, 🇩🇰 hosts 7th European Political Community (EPC) summit. Despite no joint statement or commitments to action, 45+ heads of states & gvts continue to attend twice a year + summit hosts are lined up until 2028. @monikameislova.bsky.social & I on last summit 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/europes-lead...
Reposted by Cleo Davies
The good diplomat: Starmer’s bilateralism with EU member states
Barely two weeks go by without a bilateral meeting between Keir Starmer and a leader from a European capital. He hosted his Irish and Spanish counterparts in Downing Street on 12 September…
encompass-europe.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Cleo Davies
Visiting Europe, which is clearly going to hell
September 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Visiting Europe, which is clearly going to hell
📣👇my piece today on Starmer’s approach to bilateralism with 🇪🇺 member states. He is much better at it than his recent predecessors … BUT ‘Starmer may have proven himself a good diplomat, but so far, this is not a quality that has endeared him to the British public.’ 🙏 @padamson.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
📣👇my piece today on Starmer’s approach to bilateralism with 🇪🇺 member states. He is much better at it than his recent predecessors … BUT ‘Starmer may have proven himself a good diplomat, but so far, this is not a quality that has endeared him to the British public.’ 🙏 @padamson.bsky.social
Reposted by Cleo Davies
The economic implications of the UK-EU reset deal: @anandmenon.bsky.social & me for Economics Observatory.
economicsobservatory.com/what-are-the...
economicsobservatory.com/what-are-the...
What are the economic implications of the UK-EU reset deal? - Economics Observatory
The summit meeting of the European Union (EU) and the UK held at Lancaster House in May 2025 marked a symbolic thaw in post-Brexit relations. The event brought together EU leaders (including European ...
economicsobservatory.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The economic implications of the UK-EU reset deal: @anandmenon.bsky.social & me for Economics Observatory.
economicsobservatory.com/what-are-the...
economicsobservatory.com/what-are-the...
'I suddenly retch harder than I have done in my life. Nothing comes up. I retch again - so hard, it feels I will turn inside out...tears are streaming down my face - not from sadness, but from the sheer physical exertion' 👉Craig Oliver, Cameron's director Pol&Coms, outside N.10, 4:45am, 24 June 2016
June 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'I suddenly retch harder than I have done in my life. Nothing comes up. I retch again - so hard, it feels I will turn inside out...tears are streaming down my face - not from sadness, but from the sheer physical exertion' 👉Craig Oliver, Cameron's director Pol&Coms, outside N.10, 4:45am, 24 June 2016
An important, useful + really accessible report and a 👌👌 check on revisionist takes! @husseinkassim.bsky.social & I contributed a chapter on the 🇪🇺's Brexit strategy. That is one aspect that gives rise to some overblown, even conspiratorial takes... 2.5 pages to set the record straight 🙂 👇
Today marks 9 years since the Brexit referendum
Since then, UKICE has evaluated UK-EU relations, traced and explained the tortuous Brexit process, and attempted to assess the impact that Brexit has had on the UK.
Check out our report for everything you need to know 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/the-...
Since then, UKICE has evaluated UK-EU relations, traced and explained the tortuous Brexit process, and attempted to assess the impact that Brexit has had on the UK.
Check out our report for everything you need to know 👇
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/the-...
The Brexit Files: from referendum to reset - UK in a changing Europe
For the past decade, UK in a Changing Europe has provided impartial, research-based analysis on a number of issues, but most particularly...
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
An important, useful + really accessible report and a 👌👌 check on revisionist takes! @husseinkassim.bsky.social & I contributed a chapter on the 🇪🇺's Brexit strategy. That is one aspect that gives rise to some overblown, even conspiratorial takes... 2.5 pages to set the record straight 🙂 👇
Reposted by Cleo Davies
"This is now a window of opportunity [for cooperation], but the domestic political trajectory in the two nuclear powers does make other Europeans wonder about their future reliability.”
Thanks for quoting me in this piece, @laukaya.bsky.social!
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
Thanks for quoting me in this piece, @laukaya.bsky.social!
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
How Europe would fill an America-shaped hole in NATO
The likeliest replacement for the U.S. is a grouping of France, the U.K., Germany and Poland, but it would be much more vulnerable than an America-led alliance.
www.politico.eu
June 23, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"This is now a window of opportunity [for cooperation], but the domestic political trajectory in the two nuclear powers does make other Europeans wonder about their future reliability.”
Thanks for quoting me in this piece, @laukaya.bsky.social!
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
Thanks for quoting me in this piece, @laukaya.bsky.social!
www.politico.eu/article/how-...
Reposted by Cleo Davies
'Top economist' 😎
🚨🚨 #brexit anniversary: Office of Budget Responsibility predictions of £ 40 bn hit to public finances has proven correct according to research by top economist @johnspringford.bsky.social . www.thetimes.com/article/346e...
Predictions of £40bn hit to public finances from Brexit ‘correct’
Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast of a 4 per cent productivity loss from leaving the EU has been largely borne out, says top economist
www.thetimes.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:04 AM
'Top economist' 😎
Excellent 🧵 detailing the decision-making process at EU level on reaching a council decision on mandate for negotiating a youth experience deal with the 🇬🇧.
EU Member States adopt mandate for negotiations with UK on youth mobility treaty
Some general points 1/
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Some general points 1/
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Post-Brexit youth visa scheme with EU given green light
Supporters described the move as a ‘massive step’ forward for young people
www.independent.co.uk
June 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Excellent 🧵 detailing the decision-making process at EU level on reaching a council decision on mandate for negotiating a youth experience deal with the 🇬🇧.
Reposted by Cleo Davies
Let’s play a game of “spot the woman”. Press box equivalent of where’s wally
June 20, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Let’s play a game of “spot the woman”. Press box equivalent of where’s wally
Reposted by Cleo Davies
After my grumbles yesterday (but not because of them), final legal texts on fisheries access and TCA Energy title extension now concluded, both precursors to the EU-UK Reset negotiation package
Brexit law
UK/EU reset implemented as regards extending fisheries and energy rules in Brexit deal 1/
fisheries I eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
fisheries II eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
energy I eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
energy II eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
UK/EU reset implemented as regards extending fisheries and energy rules in Brexit deal 1/
fisheries I eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
fisheries II eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
energy I eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
energy II eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conten...
Decision - 2025/1229 - EN - EUR-LexLog inEnglish
eur-lex.europa.eu
June 20, 2025 at 6:47 AM
After my grumbles yesterday (but not because of them), final legal texts on fisheries access and TCA Energy title extension now concluded, both precursors to the EU-UK Reset negotiation package
Reposted by Cleo Davies
News for EU policy nerds: the legal texts for 20 new or updated EU-Switzerland agreements were published earlier this week. Happy trawling!
Federal Council opens consultation process on Swiss-EU package
On 13 June 2025, the Federal Council approved the texts of the agreements negotiated with the EU in 2024 and opened the consultation process on the Swiss‒EU package. In addition to the agreements with the EU, the package includes legislation to authorise the domestic implementation, including accompanying measures (see press release, 13 June 2025). The Federal Council has come out in favour of an optional referendum on the Swiss‒EU package. The consultation process will run until 31 October 2025.
www.europa.eda.admin.ch
June 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
News for EU policy nerds: the legal texts for 20 new or updated EU-Switzerland agreements were published earlier this week. Happy trawling!
Event covered not only 🇬🇧-🇪🇺 dimension, but also views from different member states. Comes with 👌👌 report with short chapters from ⭐ contributors from across national capitals (🇪🇸🇳🇱🇨🇾🇮🇪🇩🇰🇩🇪🇵🇱🇨🇿🇫🇷) is really worth the read @husseinkassim.bsky.social @ukandeu.bsky.social 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/other-public...
June 19, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Event covered not only 🇬🇧-🇪🇺 dimension, but also views from different member states. Comes with 👌👌 report with short chapters from ⭐ contributors from across national capitals (🇪🇸🇳🇱🇨🇾🇮🇪🇩🇰🇩🇪🇵🇱🇨🇿🇫🇷) is really worth the read @husseinkassim.bsky.social @ukandeu.bsky.social 👉 ukandeu.ac.uk/other-public...
Reposted by Cleo Davies
🚨🚨 Whilst the EU-UK deal was a clear improvement and win for Starmer, we should not forget that it does not change the major premises of relationship which is enshrined in the TCA and that #brexit still is a long and dragging beast of misery and pain. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Britain’s got an EU deal — but the Brexit red tape keeps coming
U.K. plows ahead with unpopular ‘Not for EU’ labels in Northern Ireland, despite planned deal with Brussels.
www.politico.eu
June 19, 2025 at 7:36 AM
🚨🚨 Whilst the EU-UK deal was a clear improvement and win for Starmer, we should not forget that it does not change the major premises of relationship which is enshrined in the TCA and that #brexit still is a long and dragging beast of misery and pain. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...