Anders Larson
@thisisanders.bsky.social
Chronically ill legal professional |
Occasional expert |
American | British | European
Echter Wiener | Citoyen | Philadelphian
European Federalist | #Renaissance | #Libdems
Occasional expert |
American | British | European
Echter Wiener | Citoyen | Philadelphian
European Federalist | #Renaissance | #Libdems
This winter Olympics must be so inspiring for so many young women. Truly amazing.
February 16, 2026 at 8:45 PM
This winter Olympics must be so inspiring for so many young women. Truly amazing.
Reposted by Anders Larson
Small movement, but it means that Renew is (with 76 MEPs) now almost as large as the national conservative/far-right ECR (79 MEPs). This could be relevant for the mid-term redistribution of posts in the European Parliament.
EU27: MEP Elisabetta Gualmini leaves centre-left Democratic Party and S&D Group in the European Parliament, announcing she will join liberal Azione and Renew Europe.
Renew Europe regains Italian representation in the European Parliament.
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
Renew Europe regains Italian representation in the European Parliament.
➤ europeelects.eu/italy
February 16, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Small movement, but it means that Renew is (with 76 MEPs) now almost as large as the national conservative/far-right ECR (79 MEPs). This could be relevant for the mid-term redistribution of posts in the European Parliament.
Agree.
Euro speculation for Sweden fits the vibe of President Stubbs „join the European Union, it gives you protection“.
For the EU it’d be better to have Sweden in the euro than the UK rejoin the Union, since the latter remains consumed by domestic politics.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
For the EU it’d be better to have Sweden in the euro than the UK rejoin the Union, since the latter remains consumed by domestic politics.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Why Sweden Is Changing Its Tune on Adopting the Euro
Like the German mark, French franc and Finnish markka, Sweden’s krona may one day become a relic of the past — if the country’s proponents of the euro get their way.
www.bloomberg.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Agree.
Honestly is this what we need to get used to?
This kind of party politicisation of rule of law strikes me as unwise, especially if the delegation includes two MEPs from Spanish opposition parties doing 'fact finding' in Spain, in this case the centre-right PP and the far-right Vox (via @euractiv.com)
February 16, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Honestly is this what we need to get used to?
In a way, Musk is coming out against the deregulatory drive of the EPP and ECR.
1/3 What Musk is really referring to here is, of course “race” - that construct that served to define the hierarchies of wealth & power structured by modern colonialism. Like other far right racists though, he uses the word “culture” as a seemingly less pernicious synonym.
February 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
In a way, Musk is coming out against the deregulatory drive of the EPP and ECR.
Reposted by Anders Larson
1. The great French musician Michel Portal has left us - at the age of 90. He mastered all sorts of clarinets and saxophones plus the bandoneon. He played jazz and improvised music, classical music - from Mozart and Brahms to contemporary composers like Piazzolla, Stockhausen, Berio and Boulez. He
Mort de Michel Portal, un musicien sans frontières
Clarinettiste, saxophoniste, bandonéoniste, improvisateur, compositeur pour le cinéma, interprète recherché des compositeurs contemporains et complice des plus grands jazzmen se son temps, Michel Port...
www.radiofrance.fr
February 15, 2026 at 1:51 PM
1. The great French musician Michel Portal has left us - at the age of 90. He mastered all sorts of clarinets and saxophones plus the bandoneon. He played jazz and improvised music, classical music - from Mozart and Brahms to contemporary composers like Piazzolla, Stockhausen, Berio and Boulez. He
Reposted by Anders Larson
Your kids had COVID 5 times? Now has measles… and we admitted them to hospital where they got COVID too?
Wow. Might be fine, might not be fine. No idea what the rate of serious complications and death from that combo is…
Wow. Might be fine, might not be fine. No idea what the rate of serious complications and death from that combo is…
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Your kids had COVID 5 times? Now has measles… and we admitted them to hospital where they got COVID too?
Wow. Might be fine, might not be fine. No idea what the rate of serious complications and death from that combo is…
Wow. Might be fine, might not be fine. No idea what the rate of serious complications and death from that combo is…
Reposted by Anders Larson
What do you think might happen if we keep a pet SARS virus that damages T cells… and let measles loose as well, which damages immune memory…
I don’t know! But I’m so excited to find out! /s
I don’t know! But I’m so excited to find out! /s
February 15, 2026 at 10:54 AM
What do you think might happen if we keep a pet SARS virus that damages T cells… and let measles loose as well, which damages immune memory…
I don’t know! But I’m so excited to find out! /s
I don’t know! But I’m so excited to find out! /s
Reposted by Anders Larson
This directly weakens the national security of the United States. Removing words from websites and cutting critical programs simply because they are now considered to not match the dominant political ideology is absolute folly. You can't just wish a threat away.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation
Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.
www.nature.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:39 AM
This directly weakens the national security of the United States. Removing words from websites and cutting critical programs simply because they are now considered to not match the dominant political ideology is absolute folly. You can't just wish a threat away.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Anders Larson
5/5
choosing (i.e. out of manufacturing and into services).
The global economy, after all, must balance. If my share of global manufacturing expands, yours must contract. That's not ideology. That's just arithmetic.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/eur...
choosing (i.e. out of manufacturing and into services).
The global economy, after all, must balance. If my share of global manufacturing expands, yours must contract. That's not ideology. That's just arithmetic.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/eur...
Europe's wage paradox
European leaders should find inspiration in Keynes' insight – that the world becomes richer when economies raise productivity and allow wages to keep pace.
engelsbergideas.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:29 AM
5/5
choosing (i.e. out of manufacturing and into services).
The global economy, after all, must balance. If my share of global manufacturing expands, yours must contract. That's not ideology. That's just arithmetic.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/eur...
choosing (i.e. out of manufacturing and into services).
The global economy, after all, must balance. If my share of global manufacturing expands, yours must contract. That's not ideology. That's just arithmetic.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/eur...
Worth pointing out that the Democratic Socialists of America are profoundly anti-NATO.
AOC: “We are seeing our presidential administration tear apart the transatlantic partnership — rip up every democratic norm — & really calling into question, as was mentioned by Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum, the rules-based order that we have or question mark, do we have?”
February 14, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Worth pointing out that the Democratic Socialists of America are profoundly anti-NATO.
#Merz reminds me of a quote from Jonathan Bate regarding Aristotle's concept of "hamartia" - "Oedipus does not fall because he is proud; he falls because he acts decisively and intelligently on the basis of false assumptions while attempting to do the right thing."
Friedrich Merz: 🇩🇪 & 🇪🇺 are going to act decisively to protect our economic & geopolitical interests in an era of uncertainty caused by 🇺🇸, 🇨🇳, & 🇷🇺
Also Friedrich Merz: Eurobonds? Nein 🧐
These things are not compatible & pretending they are is why 🇩🇪 & 🇪🇺 keep floundering & punching under their weight
Also Friedrich Merz: Eurobonds? Nein 🧐
These things are not compatible & pretending they are is why 🇩🇪 & 🇪🇺 keep floundering & punching under their weight
February 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
#Merz reminds me of a quote from Jonathan Bate regarding Aristotle's concept of "hamartia" - "Oedipus does not fall because he is proud; he falls because he acts decisively and intelligently on the basis of false assumptions while attempting to do the right thing."
Je suis #Manchez
EU national leaders have just started their retreat at the former Teutonic Order castle of Alden Biesen, with 2 rival visions for how to save Europe:
🇩🇪🇮🇹#Merzoni are coming with a deregulation pact calling for less EU.
🇫🇷🇪🇸#Manchez are calling for more EU with eurobonds & "made in Europe" preference.
🇩🇪🇮🇹#Merzoni are coming with a deregulation pact calling for less EU.
🇫🇷🇪🇸#Manchez are calling for more EU with eurobonds & "made in Europe" preference.
The Merzoni plan would take Europe backwards, not forwards
EU leaders will gather for a castle retreat with Mario Draghi, who will call for Europe to federate. But the German and Italian leaders are coming to the castle with a pact to weaken the EU.
davekeating.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Je suis #Manchez
Reposted by Anders Larson
EU Leaders meet tomorrow to discuss measures to lift Europe's anaemic growth rate. But the summit risks turning into a nothing burger.
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 9:34 AM
EU Leaders meet tomorrow to discuss measures to lift Europe's anaemic growth rate. But the summit risks turning into a nothing burger.
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report
New oped.
1/
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Anders Larson
Fatal, was die Merz-Regierung hier macht! Macron reicht uns die Hand für einen nächsten Schritt in der europäischen Integration: Putin, Trump, China grüßen.
Und wie 2017 kommt ein hartes Nein.
In diesen geopolitischen Zeiten ist das Selbstmord.
Und wie 2017 kommt ein hartes Nein.
In diesen geopolitischen Zeiten ist das Selbstmord.
Eurobonds und "Made in Europe": Bundesregierung lehnt Macrons Ideen ab
Die Bundesregierung weist Emmanuel Macrons Forderungen nach neuen EU-Schulden zurück. Das lenke vom Eigentlichen ab, heißt es in Berlin.
www.sueddeutsche.de
February 10, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Fatal, was die Merz-Regierung hier macht! Macron reicht uns die Hand für einen nächsten Schritt in der europäischen Integration: Putin, Trump, China grüßen.
Und wie 2017 kommt ein hartes Nein.
In diesen geopolitischen Zeiten ist das Selbstmord.
Und wie 2017 kommt ein hartes Nein.
In diesen geopolitischen Zeiten ist das Selbstmord.
Reposted by Anders Larson
Séquence hallucinante d'une juge française révélant les pressions américaines dont elle a fait l'objet dans l'affaire Le Pen.
Le RN veut faire campagne sur le slogan "on est chez nous"? En tout cas, ses sponsors se sentent déjà comme chez eux.
Le RN veut faire campagne sur le slogan "on est chez nous"? En tout cas, ses sponsors se sentent déjà comme chez eux.
January 20, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Séquence hallucinante d'une juge française révélant les pressions américaines dont elle a fait l'objet dans l'affaire Le Pen.
Le RN veut faire campagne sur le slogan "on est chez nous"? En tout cas, ses sponsors se sentent déjà comme chez eux.
Le RN veut faire campagne sur le slogan "on est chez nous"? En tout cas, ses sponsors se sentent déjà comme chez eux.
Reposted by Anders Larson
European Union citizens want more unified and bold leadership, survey suggests
Citizens across the European Union want more unified, stronger and ambitious leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it faces military threats, economic pressures and climate instability, according to an official EU poll.
Citizens across the European Union want more unified, stronger and ambitious leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it faces military threats, economic pressures and climate instability, according to an official EU poll.
European Union citizens want more unified and bold leadership, survey suggests
An official EU poll reveals that citizens across the European Union want more unified and stronger leadership for the 27-nation bloc.
apnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:28 PM
European Union citizens want more unified and bold leadership, survey suggests
Citizens across the European Union want more unified, stronger and ambitious leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it faces military threats, economic pressures and climate instability, according to an official EU poll.
Citizens across the European Union want more unified, stronger and ambitious leadership of the 27-nation bloc as it faces military threats, economic pressures and climate instability, according to an official EU poll.
BINGO
Solange gerade die deutsche Politik dieses Thema nicht offen anspricht, laufen wir weiter den falschen Lösungen hinterher. Es wird weiter so getan, als sei das größte wirtschaftspolitische Problem irgendwie selbst angelegte Ketten, während uns in wichtigen Sektoren gerade die Wand entgegen kommt.
February 11, 2026 at 8:39 PM
BINGO
Reposted by Anders Larson
#Merzoni, with the willing participation of 🇪🇺President von der Leyen, have formed a pact to dilute the power of the European Union and return it to national capitals in order to carry out corporate wishes.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
The Merzoni plan would take Europe backwards, not forwards
EU leaders will gather for a castle retreat tomorrow with Mario Draghi, who will call for Europe to federate. But the German and Italian leaders are coming to the castle with a pact to weaken the EU.
davekeating.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:37 AM
#Merzoni, with the willing participation of 🇪🇺President von der Leyen, have formed a pact to dilute the power of the European Union and return it to national capitals in order to carry out corporate wishes.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
Report after Report has correlated this
Reform UK voters are the most likely to describe their high street as in a bad state
% of 2024 voters with a high street in their area
Reform UK: 56%
Conservative: 46%
Labour: 44%
Green: 41%
Lib Dem: 37%
yougov.co.uk/consumer/art...
% of 2024 voters with a high street in their area
Reform UK: 56%
Conservative: 46%
Labour: 44%
Green: 41%
Lib Dem: 37%
yougov.co.uk/consumer/art...
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Report after Report has correlated this
Reposted by Anders Larson
At the moment when the EU needs unprecedented citizen support for fundamental strategic choices, national governments are systematically reducing democratic participation and grabbing the little power left in the Commission’s and EU Parliament’s hands
euobserver.com/202382/europ...
euobserver.com/202382/europ...
Europe’s democratic winter — How EU leaders impose deregulation, bypassing citizens and MEPs
At their 'leaders' retreat', we are seeing the curtailing of EU democracy in the name of saving Europe’s economy. They should be unleashing citizens' demand for a stronger, independent Europe.
euobserver.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:01 PM
At the moment when the EU needs unprecedented citizen support for fundamental strategic choices, national governments are systematically reducing democratic participation and grabbing the little power left in the Commission’s and EU Parliament’s hands
euobserver.com/202382/europ...
euobserver.com/202382/europ...
"What is seen as a European failure is actually a national one" - yes.
When EU leaders meet tomorrow to discuss the EU’s competitiveness agenda, they should stop chasing ghosts and confront the real problem Europe‘s economy is facing.
Our latest for @politico.eu with @nilsredeker.bsky.social and @sandertordoir.bsky.social 👇
Our latest for @politico.eu with @nilsredeker.bsky.social and @sandertordoir.bsky.social 👇
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 6:53 PM
"What is seen as a European failure is actually a national one" - yes.
Reposted by Anders Larson
Tomorrow’s summit is a chance for EU leaders to stop chasing the wrong fixes — and finally sketch a response that matches the scale of Europe’s economic challenge.
Here, lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social and I lay out what that could look like.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Here, lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social and I lay out what that could look like.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Tomorrow’s summit is a chance for EU leaders to stop chasing the wrong fixes — and finally sketch a response that matches the scale of Europe’s economic challenge.
Here, lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social and I lay out what that could look like.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Here, lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, @sandertordoir.bsky.social and I lay out what that could look like.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Anders Larson
OPINION: As the current consensus goes, Europe has smothered itself in unnecessary regulation, and growth will return once red tape is cut.
This agenda is bound to disappoint.
This agenda is bound to disappoint.
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
www.politico.eu
February 11, 2026 at 10:59 AM
OPINION: As the current consensus goes, Europe has smothered itself in unnecessary regulation, and growth will return once red tape is cut.
This agenda is bound to disappoint.
This agenda is bound to disappoint.
I am deeply worried that those of us who seek a deeper and more integrated Europe are being structurally disenfranchised from ever being able to achieve it.
This week EU leaders double down on the so-called “simplification agenda” — one of the EU’s most self-defeating bets on competitiveness.
Ten omnibus packages won’t magically save €15bn/year, but they will fuel legal uncertainty, weaken protections, and erode EU strategic autonomy. #EUCO
Ten omnibus packages won’t magically save €15bn/year, but they will fuel legal uncertainty, weaken protections, and erode EU strategic autonomy. #EUCO
February 11, 2026 at 6:49 PM
I am deeply worried that those of us who seek a deeper and more integrated Europe are being structurally disenfranchised from ever being able to achieve it.