Euan Purchase
@euanspc.bsky.social
Scot 🏴 • Hill walker ⛰• Sometimes Swimmer 🏊♂️ • Often found talking about Nordics 🇩🇰🇸🇪🇳🇴🇫🇮🇮🇸🇫🇴🇦🇽 • Humanist 👐
Reposted by Euan Purchase
Good stuff from Rutte, and a reminder to the US and Russia that there are some things they cannot control
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
Rutte rules out Russian veto on Ukraine joining NATO
The alliance chief also warned that the threat Moscow poses to Europe will far outlast any peace deal reached with Kyiv.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Good stuff from Rutte, and a reminder to the US and Russia that there are some things they cannot control
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
www.politico.eu/article/mark...
Support for EU membership in Norway falls to lowest in three years at 27.9%.
Undersøkelse: Færre ønsker Norge inn i EU
EU-tilhengere taper terreng i en ny måling gjort for Klassekampen og Nationen. Andelen som sier ja til EU-medlemskap, er den laveste på tre år med 27,9 prosent.
www.vg.no
November 27, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Support for EU membership in Norway falls to lowest in three years at 27.9%.
The NY Times has its faults, but its work covering stories like this is fascinating
An Indigenous Ballet Was a Hit in the City. But in the Sami Heartland?
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
The NY Times has its faults, but its work covering stories like this is fascinating
The decision not to exempt Norway and Iceland from EU tariffs on iron-alloys, clearly raises questions about the EEA, but also shows the EU in a negative light. Increased opposition to Norwegian EU membership in new poll - No 49%, Yes 31%. Young people more opposed than older.
EU innførte jerntoll: Dette ville Norge stemt i dag
Dersom det var EU-valg i morgen, ville 49 prosent stemt nei til medlemskap. EU-skepsisen vokser blant de unge.
www.nrk.no
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
The decision not to exempt Norway and Iceland from EU tariffs on iron-alloys, clearly raises questions about the EEA, but also shows the EU in a negative light. Increased opposition to Norwegian EU membership in new poll - No 49%, Yes 31%. Young people more opposed than older.
Exactly.
It's a bit funny seeing some UK commenters first mad at Americans for some uninformed comments on UK politics, then turning around and explaining Danish elections like it was all about the UK.
November 21, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Exactly.
Reading UK commentary on this weeks Danish election would make you think it was all about migration - it wasn’t.
High housing costs, a rural-urban divide, scrapping a public holiday, the Mink controversy, local factors & general fatigue all are issues which played against the Soc Dems.
High housing costs, a rural-urban divide, scrapping a public holiday, the Mink controversy, local factors & general fatigue all are issues which played against the Soc Dems.
November 20, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reading UK commentary on this weeks Danish election would make you think it was all about migration - it wasn’t.
High housing costs, a rural-urban divide, scrapping a public holiday, the Mink controversy, local factors & general fatigue all are issues which played against the Soc Dems.
High housing costs, a rural-urban divide, scrapping a public holiday, the Mink controversy, local factors & general fatigue all are issues which played against the Soc Dems.
«Very specific political circumstances» in Denmark means «The applicability of the Danish Social Democratic strategy (on migration) to the political situation in the UK is not self-evident.»
Good piece on why you need to understand Denmark before trying to simply copy-paste its asylum policy.
Good piece on why you need to understand Denmark before trying to simply copy-paste its asylum policy.
Reminder that @ukandeu.bsky.social have, of course, published an assessment of the potential pitfalls of attempting to mimic the 'Danish approach' to immigration by @kristinabsimonsen.bsky.social ukandeu.ac.uk/denmarks-mig...
Denmark’s migration policy – an example to follow? - UK in a changing Europe
Kristina Bakkær Simonsen explains why countries feel they have something to learn from Denmark's strict migration policy, but argues that there are many key pitfalls.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
«Very specific political circumstances» in Denmark means «The applicability of the Danish Social Democratic strategy (on migration) to the political situation in the UK is not self-evident.»
Good piece on why you need to understand Denmark before trying to simply copy-paste its asylum policy.
Good piece on why you need to understand Denmark before trying to simply copy-paste its asylum policy.
Reposted by Euan Purchase
Norway’s humanitarian aid to the people of #Ukraine puts it top of @unocha.org list that tracks donors, providing more than USD 158 million so far this year. Russia must end its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. #InvestInHumanity fts.unocha.org/countries/23...
July 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Norway’s humanitarian aid to the people of #Ukraine puts it top of @unocha.org list that tracks donors, providing more than USD 158 million so far this year. Russia must end its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. #InvestInHumanity fts.unocha.org/countries/23...
Denmark announces one of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, while the rest of the EU looks away
Denmark announces one of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, while the rest of the EU looks away
Governments across the continent have attacked green rules with increasing ferocity – all while professing their commitment to existing climate targets
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Denmark announces one of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, while the rest of the EU looks away
The thing about trying to project UK politics onto Danish politics/society is that, the context is completely different. For starters, the election yesterday used PR, not FPTP.
(And, to state obvious, Denmark is more than just Copenhagen. There were some surprising results across the country).
(And, to state obvious, Denmark is more than just Copenhagen. There were some surprising results across the country).
"Does Danish politics prove that the UK Labour Party needs to become more Green?"... not coming to a BBC report near you
November 19, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The thing about trying to project UK politics onto Danish politics/society is that, the context is completely different. For starters, the election yesterday used PR, not FPTP.
(And, to state obvious, Denmark is more than just Copenhagen. There were some surprising results across the country).
(And, to state obvious, Denmark is more than just Copenhagen. There were some surprising results across the country).
Big history made in Copenhagen this morning. After yesterday’s election, the Social Democrats - for the first time since 1938! - will not run the city. The Danish capital gets its first Mayor from Green Left (Socialistisk Folkeparti).
Hvid røg fra København: SF skriver historie og erobrer overborgmesterposten fra S
Socialdemokratiet erkender nederlaget og bliver det tredje største parti i hovedstaden efter Enhedslisten og SF.
www.dr.dk
November 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Big history made in Copenhagen this morning. After yesterday’s election, the Social Democrats - for the first time since 1938! - will not run the city. The Danish capital gets its first Mayor from Green Left (Socialistisk Folkeparti).
Soc Dems fall to third in Copenhagen, good night for SF, but also not the left-green majority in the city some polls predicted (Enhedslisten will be disappointed to have actually lost vote share).
Denmark, Preliminary final election result:
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
November 19, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Soc Dems fall to third in Copenhagen, good night for SF, but also not the left-green majority in the city some polls predicted (Enhedslisten will be disappointed to have actually lost vote share).
Reposted by Euan Purchase
Denmark, Preliminary final election result:
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Denmark, Preliminary final election result:
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 22.1% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 17.9% (+6.9)
A (S&D): 12.7% (-4.5)
C (EPP): 11.3% (-1.8)
B (RE): 10.5% (-1.4)
V (RE): 6.1% (-1.6)
I (EPP): 5.2% (+2.5)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Reposted by Euan Purchase
Denmark, Preliminary final election result:
Local election
A (S&D): 23.2% (-5.2)
V (RE): 17.9% (-3.3)
C (EPP): 12.7% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 11.1% (+3.5)
Ø (LEFT): 7.1% (-0.2)
O (PfE): 5.9% (+1.8)
I (EPP): 5.5% (+4.3)
B (RE): 5.4% (-0.2)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Local election
A (S&D): 23.2% (-5.2)
V (RE): 17.9% (-3.3)
C (EPP): 12.7% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 11.1% (+3.5)
Ø (LEFT): 7.1% (-0.2)
O (PfE): 5.9% (+1.8)
I (EPP): 5.5% (+4.3)
B (RE): 5.4% (-0.2)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Denmark, Preliminary final election result:
Local election
A (S&D): 23.2% (-5.2)
V (RE): 17.9% (-3.3)
C (EPP): 12.7% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 11.1% (+3.5)
Ø (LEFT): 7.1% (-0.2)
O (PfE): 5.9% (+1.8)
I (EPP): 5.5% (+4.3)
B (RE): 5.4% (-0.2)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Local election
A (S&D): 23.2% (-5.2)
V (RE): 17.9% (-3.3)
C (EPP): 12.7% (-2.5)
F (Greens/EFA): 11.1% (+3.5)
Ø (LEFT): 7.1% (-0.2)
O (PfE): 5.9% (+1.8)
I (EPP): 5.5% (+4.3)
B (RE): 5.4% (-0.2)
...
+/- vs. 2021 election result
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
By tonight, the party which has held every Lord Mayor in Copenhagen since 1938, could lose it for the first time - if polls are correct, parties on the left & far-left could have a majority on the city council.
Centre-left tipped to lose Copenhagen for first time in electoral history
Political rivals say PM’s divisive politics have encouraged voters to ditch the Social Democrats for the far right
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:54 AM
By tonight, the party which has held every Lord Mayor in Copenhagen since 1938, could lose it for the first time - if polls are correct, parties on the left & far-left could have a majority on the city council.
The main Danish tv channel DR1 has through-the-day, non-stop coverage of *voting* in the *local* elections, followed by results coverage this evening. Quite something.
November 18, 2025 at 10:54 AM
The main Danish tv channel DR1 has through-the-day, non-stop coverage of *voting* in the *local* elections, followed by results coverage this evening. Quite something.
Bloc politics is a concept so alien to the UK, yet it’s been the basis of coalition building in the Nordics for a long time. That said, the Danish Soc Dems broke with ‘Red bloc’ in 2022 by forming the ‘government across the middle’, as they call it, with Venstre and Moderaterne.
Danish right-wing populists are pretty much back to the same level as before Mette Frederiksen came to power. Soc Dems are competitive because they lead a left-wing bloc in a PR system. Doesn't transfer neatly to the UK, where losing liberal voters to Greens/etc would cost Labour seats to Reform
November 17, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Bloc politics is a concept so alien to the UK, yet it’s been the basis of coalition building in the Nordics for a long time. That said, the Danish Soc Dems broke with ‘Red bloc’ in 2022 by forming the ‘government across the middle’, as they call it, with Venstre and Moderaterne.
Municipal & regional elections in Denmark tomorrow. Will Copenhagen see the Social Democrats lose the Mayor post for the first time in decades? Parties to its left are polling considerably ahead.
Denmark, Epinion poll:
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 24% (-3)
F (Greens/EFA): 20% (-2)
A (S&D): 12% (+2)
C (EPP): 10% (+2)
B (RE): 8%
V (RE): 7% (+1)
I (EPP): 6% (-1)
...
+/- vs. 04 September - 13 October
Fieldwork: 13-17 November 2025
Sample size: 1,272
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
Copenhagen local election
Ø (LEFT): 24% (-3)
F (Greens/EFA): 20% (-2)
A (S&D): 12% (+2)
C (EPP): 10% (+2)
B (RE): 8%
V (RE): 7% (+1)
I (EPP): 6% (-1)
...
+/- vs. 04 September - 13 October
Fieldwork: 13-17 November 2025
Sample size: 1,272
➤ europeelects.eu/denmark
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Municipal & regional elections in Denmark tomorrow. Will Copenhagen see the Social Democrats lose the Mayor post for the first time in decades? Parties to its left are polling considerably ahead.
A lot of snow for this early in winter! ❄️
🌨 Following ~21 cm of fresh snowfall in the last ~24hrs, the snow in #Tromsø is currently 67.5 cm deep. It has snowed 3 times on this date since 2015: in 2015, 2023, and 2024, with the most snow falling in 2023 (12 cm). This time last year the ground was mostly snow-free.
November 17, 2025 at 6:45 PM
A lot of snow for this early in winter! ❄️
A very important framing. We tend to think of the climate crisis as a purely meterological issue, but it has far wider implications which we’re not prepared for.
Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk reut.rs/4p41Kai
Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country's climate minister told Reuters.
reut.rs
November 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
A very important framing. We tend to think of the climate crisis as a purely meterological issue, but it has far wider implications which we’re not prepared for.
Reposted by Euan Purchase
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
This ECtHR ruling has been surprisingly underreported. It ruled that Norway must assess the global climate impacts of oil & gas before opening new oil fields in order to comply with the ECHR (while ruling the below licences comply with climate law). Wider implications could be fascinating.
The European Court of Human Rights said Tuesday that Norway did not breach its climate obligations when it awarded Arctic oil and gas exploration licenses in 2016.
European court clears Norway of climate misconduct over oil licences
The European Court of Human Rights said Tuesday that Norway did not breach its climate obligations when it awarded Arctic oil and gas exploration licenses in 2016.
www.thelocal.no
October 31, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This ECtHR ruling has been surprisingly underreported. It ruled that Norway must assess the global climate impacts of oil & gas before opening new oil fields in order to comply with the ECHR (while ruling the below licences comply with climate law). Wider implications could be fascinating.
The old campaign slogan for the 8 hour work day was «8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest». When you remove protections on access to nature, you are devaluing recreation time, with the inevitable impact on folks wellbeing.
Young first-time buyers forced into ‘nature deserts’, UK data shows
Exclusive: High cost of homes near green spaces may be deepening health inequalities, says wildlife coalition
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The old campaign slogan for the 8 hour work day was «8 hours work, 8 hours recreation, 8 hours rest». When you remove protections on access to nature, you are devaluing recreation time, with the inevitable impact on folks wellbeing.
"The fear in Copenhagen is that a slow-motion land grab won’t provoke a strong enough response in Brussels or among its EU partners."
COMMENTARY: The Danes are right, if the US president presses ahead in Greenland, other territories can and will follow elsewhere.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/gree...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/gree...
October 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"The fear in Copenhagen is that a slow-motion land grab won’t provoke a strong enough response in Brussels or among its EU partners."
Disgraceful. I would also add shameful, but this UK government clearly has no shame.
This is awful if correct. Chancellor preparing to save more than a billion pounds by targeting disabled people’s capacity to get cars through the benefits system
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves takes aim at Motability scheme to save £1bn in budget
Chancellor is examining reforms that include scrapping tax breaks on cars for disabled people using the programme
www.thetimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Disgraceful. I would also add shameful, but this UK government clearly has no shame.