Tom Theuns
@tomtheuns.bsky.social
Assoc. Prof. Political Theory & European Politics, Leiden University
Democracy | EU | PI NWO Veni 2021-2025
Out now: PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781911723745
Prev. UWC; Maastricht; Oxford; Sciences Po
Democracy | EU | PI NWO Veni 2021-2025
Out now: PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781911723745
Prev. UWC; Maastricht; Oxford; Sciences Po
Pinned
Tom Theuns
@tomtheuns.bsky.social
· Dec 9
As a first-time author there have been a few ‘pinch myself’ moments these past few weeks.
Seeing my book for the first time in the wild* today is definitely one of them.
*at the American Book Center in The Hague
Seeing my book for the first time in the wild* today is definitely one of them.
*at the American Book Center in The Hague
Reposted by Tom Theuns
My understanding is that the Commission as well as key capitals are assuming that Orban will be gone in April. If true, that is naive. Notwithstanding the capture of the state apparatus by Fidesz, the mixed, disproportional, quasi-rigged electoral system may produce wildly unpredictable results. 1/3
⌛️ Viktor Orbán’s time is running out to turn the mood and win Hungary’s April 12 election.
📉 Reliable independent pollsters show the gap between Orbán's ruling FIDESZ and opposition leader Péter Magyar’s TISZA party has barely changed for a year.
💥A fresh poll puts TISZA 16 points ahead.💥
📉 Reliable independent pollsters show the gap between Orbán's ruling FIDESZ and opposition leader Péter Magyar’s TISZA party has barely changed for a year.
💥A fresh poll puts TISZA 16 points ahead.💥
February 4, 2026 at 10:18 AM
My understanding is that the Commission as well as key capitals are assuming that Orban will be gone in April. If true, that is naive. Notwithstanding the capture of the state apparatus by Fidesz, the mixed, disproportional, quasi-rigged electoral system may produce wildly unpredictable results. 1/3
In this dark season, it was a welcome homecoming to give a lecture as part of the Studium Generale series at my alma mater, Maastricht University.
The lecture covers the broad brushes of the argument I make in my book, Protecting Democracy in Europe (Hurst/OUP)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=JInB...
The lecture covers the broad brushes of the argument I make in my book, Protecting Democracy in Europe (Hurst/OUP)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=JInB...
Lecture | Protecting Democracy in Europe | Tom Theuns
YouTube video by Studium Generale Maastricht University
m.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:49 AM
In this dark season, it was a welcome homecoming to give a lecture as part of the Studium Generale series at my alma mater, Maastricht University.
The lecture covers the broad brushes of the argument I make in my book, Protecting Democracy in Europe (Hurst/OUP)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=JInB...
The lecture covers the broad brushes of the argument I make in my book, Protecting Democracy in Europe (Hurst/OUP)
m.youtube.com/watch?v=JInB...
Jetten as Clegg and Bontenball as Cameron works quite well as analogies go, but there is also Yesilgoz, who is more Badenoch than May politically
BlueSky reaction to the new Dutch coalition is bizarre to me. A lot of (decent, clever) people on here whose reaction to a pretty centrist, bog standard coalition is to react as if the NSB are back.
You thought Jetten was Obama and he turned out to be Nick Clegg. It’s not the end of the world!
You thought Jetten was Obama and he turned out to be Nick Clegg. It’s not the end of the world!
February 4, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Jetten as Clegg and Bontenball as Cameron works quite well as analogies go, but there is also Yesilgoz, who is more Badenoch than May politically
more and more conspiracists here recently I've noticed. Be aware my fingers deploy supercharged blocking technology
February 3, 2026 at 2:18 PM
more and more conspiracists here recently I've noticed. Be aware my fingers deploy supercharged blocking technology
One for the slides.
0.02pt increase presented as >150pts
0.02pt increase presented as >150pts
February 3, 2026 at 7:26 AM
One for the slides.
0.02pt increase presented as >150pts
0.02pt increase presented as >150pts
Reposted by Tom Theuns
I'm very happy to be teaching a course on Politics, Opera and Philosophy this year for the Honours Academy in Leiden. We'll focus on Mozart's Nozze di Figaro. Open to all MA students at Leiden University. Registration open now!
Spread the word! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenhumanities.bsky.social
Spread the word! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenhumanities.bsky.social
Politics, Opera and Philosophy, 2025-2026 - Prospectus - Universiteit Leiden
studiegids.universiteitleiden.nl
February 2, 2026 at 7:19 PM
I'm very happy to be teaching a course on Politics, Opera and Philosophy this year for the Honours Academy in Leiden. We'll focus on Mozart's Nozze di Figaro. Open to all MA students at Leiden University. Registration open now!
Spread the word! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenhumanities.bsky.social
Spread the word! @unileiden.bsky.social @leidenhumanities.bsky.social
Reposted by Tom Theuns
🇸🇰🇪🇺⚖️It took a while, but the Commission is finally, belatedly, getting tough on Fico's softcore rule of law crisis. While not as severe as in 🇭🇺🇵🇱, the slowly crawling dismantling of checks and balances by the Slovak government is finally getting the attention it deserves. 1/
February 2, 2026 at 10:33 AM
🇸🇰🇪🇺⚖️It took a while, but the Commission is finally, belatedly, getting tough on Fico's softcore rule of law crisis. While not as severe as in 🇭🇺🇵🇱, the slowly crawling dismantling of checks and balances by the Slovak government is finally getting the attention it deserves. 1/
Reposted by Tom Theuns
If Orban loses the election in Hungary on April 12th to Peter Magyar it’s going to be massive for Europe and the entire democratic world. Orban largely created the populist-right formula for autocratic takeover of a democracy which was copied by MAGA’s Project 2025. 1/12
For over a year, polls have put Hungary’s opposition party ahead of Viktor Orban’s. But a big lead in the polls is no guarantee of an election victory
Viktor Orban may lose his next election
He trails in polls, but the rules favour Trump’s man in Hungary
econ.st
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
If Orban loses the election in Hungary on April 12th to Peter Magyar it’s going to be massive for Europe and the entire democratic world. Orban largely created the populist-right formula for autocratic takeover of a democracy which was copied by MAGA’s Project 2025. 1/12
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Worth noting as this may be the 1st time the activation of Art 7(1) in respect of Hungary has led a court in another EUMS to find the asylum application of a 🇭🇺 citizen admissible on account of Protocol no 24, point (b) before granting the application
@tinekestrik.bsky.social @petrabard.bsky.social
@tinekestrik.bsky.social @petrabard.bsky.social
An Italian court has recognised refugee status for an EU citizen - a Hungarian national who faces persecution for being Roma and transgender
Analysis by Chiara Scissa:
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2026/01/mutu...
Analysis by Chiara Scissa:
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com/2026/01/mutu...
Mutual trust does not supersede human rights! Italian judges unprecedently recognize the refugee status to an EU citizen
Dr. Chiara Scissa * Photo credit : Bologna Tribunal, photo by Alex Sirac via Wikimedia Commons * Research fellow in EU law at the Uni...
eulawanalysis.blogspot.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Worth noting as this may be the 1st time the activation of Art 7(1) in respect of Hungary has led a court in another EUMS to find the asylum application of a 🇭🇺 citizen admissible on account of Protocol no 24, point (b) before granting the application
@tinekestrik.bsky.social @petrabard.bsky.social
@tinekestrik.bsky.social @petrabard.bsky.social
Wouldn’t be the first time firefighters arose desire
1903: Don't build a fire station! It will arouse desire for a library.
January 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Wouldn’t be the first time firefighters arose desire
THE SILICON GAZE
After reading a really interesting paper from @oii.ox.ac.uk (link below), I asked ChatGPT (version 5.2) to give an ranking of countries by IQ, 'extrapolating' and 'estimating' where data was not available.
I then asked it to provide an 'approximate' heat map of the estimates
1/2
After reading a really interesting paper from @oii.ox.ac.uk (link below), I asked ChatGPT (version 5.2) to give an ranking of countries by IQ, 'extrapolating' and 'estimating' where data was not available.
I then asked it to provide an 'approximate' heat map of the estimates
1/2
January 28, 2026 at 1:30 PM
THE SILICON GAZE
After reading a really interesting paper from @oii.ox.ac.uk (link below), I asked ChatGPT (version 5.2) to give an ranking of countries by IQ, 'extrapolating' and 'estimating' where data was not available.
I then asked it to provide an 'approximate' heat map of the estimates
1/2
After reading a really interesting paper from @oii.ox.ac.uk (link below), I asked ChatGPT (version 5.2) to give an ranking of countries by IQ, 'extrapolating' and 'estimating' where data was not available.
I then asked it to provide an 'approximate' heat map of the estimates
1/2
Reposted by Tom Theuns
#Hungary’s elections matter for the EU as a whole. But the opposition’s path is fraught with obstacles, from a lopsided electoral system to the extraordinary difficulty of restoring democracy even if they win. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
January 26, 2026 at 12:02 PM
#Hungary’s elections matter for the EU as a whole. But the opposition’s path is fraught with obstacles, from a lopsided electoral system to the extraordinary difficulty of restoring democracy even if they win. 🇭🇺 🇪🇺
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
New insight by @zecsaky.bsky.social
Read here: buff.ly/MtJXrKQ
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Veel informatie, weinig overzicht. Joop van Holsteijn, @tomlouwerse.nl, Cynthia van Vonno en ik onderzochten welke informatiebronnen Kamerleden gebruiken, waar het wringt en wat dit betekent voor de kwaliteit van het Kamerwerk. www.montesquieu-instituut.nl/9394000/1/j9... @polscileiden.bsky.social
Informatie in de Tweede Kamer: inzichten uit het Parlementsonderzoek 2025
Goed parlementair functioneren staat of valt met goede informatie. De Tweede Kamer moet beleid beoordelen, de regering controleren en signalen uit de …
www.montesquieu-instituut.nl
January 26, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Veel informatie, weinig overzicht. Joop van Holsteijn, @tomlouwerse.nl, Cynthia van Vonno en ik onderzochten welke informatiebronnen Kamerleden gebruiken, waar het wringt en wat dit betekent voor de kwaliteit van het Kamerwerk. www.montesquieu-instituut.nl/9394000/1/j9... @polscileiden.bsky.social
"7mn centre and centre-right voters had become politically homeless"
so they are to the right of the right of Labour and to the left of the left of the Cons but nothing (nothing!) like the libdems.
good luck with that
so they are to the right of the right of Labour and to the left of the left of the Cons but nothing (nothing!) like the libdems.
good luck with that
The culture change that the Conservative left need to pull this off is to become just a *little* bit more like the Labour right (and vice versa):
Former Tory heavyweights launch new centre-right movement
Prosper UK aims to pull Conservative party back to middle ground and counter rise of Reform UK
www.ft.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM
"7mn centre and centre-right voters had become politically homeless"
so they are to the right of the right of Labour and to the left of the left of the Cons but nothing (nothing!) like the libdems.
good luck with that
so they are to the right of the right of Labour and to the left of the left of the Cons but nothing (nothing!) like the libdems.
good luck with that
Reposted by Tom Theuns
For Dutch people: here's the petition to sign to support a boycott of the World Cup in the USA: actie.degoedezaak.org/petitions/bo...
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 PM
For Dutch people: here's the petition to sign to support a boycott of the World Cup in the USA: actie.degoedezaak.org/petitions/bo...
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Political Science #ECPRMemberJobs
📚 Focus on politics and/or policy of the ecological transitions in/of Europe and the European Union
🏫 @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social
⌛ Thu 5 Feb buff.ly/siQpBZc
#PolSciJobs #PoliSky #AcademicSky
📚 Focus on politics and/or policy of the ecological transitions in/of Europe and the European Union
🏫 @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social
⌛ Thu 5 Feb buff.ly/siQpBZc
#PolSciJobs #PoliSky #AcademicSky
Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Political Science 2026
Sciences Po is recruiting an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Political Science/Ecological transitions in/of Europe and the European Union.
buff.ly
January 23, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Assistant Professor (tenure track) in Political Science #ECPRMemberJobs
📚 Focus on politics and/or policy of the ecological transitions in/of Europe and the European Union
🏫 @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social
⌛ Thu 5 Feb buff.ly/siQpBZc
#PolSciJobs #PoliSky #AcademicSky
📚 Focus on politics and/or policy of the ecological transitions in/of Europe and the European Union
🏫 @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social
⌛ Thu 5 Feb buff.ly/siQpBZc
#PolSciJobs #PoliSky #AcademicSky
Incredible ad. No wonder the greens are up 50% in polls since Polanski took leadership.
The explosion of the greens in the UK is quite something - they're now well ahead of the LibDems in polls, and within 2pts of Labour and the Conservatives
Reform's rise is not the only story in UK politics
The explosion of the greens in the UK is quite something - they're now well ahead of the LibDems in polls, and within 2pts of Labour and the Conservatives
Reform's rise is not the only story in UK politics
Help us make hope normal again.
Join the Green Party now.
Join the Green Party now.
January 23, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Incredible ad. No wonder the greens are up 50% in polls since Polanski took leadership.
The explosion of the greens in the UK is quite something - they're now well ahead of the LibDems in polls, and within 2pts of Labour and the Conservatives
Reform's rise is not the only story in UK politics
The explosion of the greens in the UK is quite something - they're now well ahead of the LibDems in polls, and within 2pts of Labour and the Conservatives
Reform's rise is not the only story in UK politics
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Mooi stuk in @mareonline.nl over ons alumni-event De Grote Politieke Ontspin Show met @sldelange.bsky.social @markla94.bsky.social, & Rozemarijn Lubbe o.l.v. @evelinevr.bsky.social.
Aanmelden voor alumni @polscileiden.bsky.social 👉 www.universiteitleiden.nl/agenda/2026/...
Aanmelden voor alumni @polscileiden.bsky.social 👉 www.universiteitleiden.nl/agenda/2026/...
Trap niet in de frames van politici: ‘Media zijn te vaak een doorgeefluik’
In De Grote Politieke Ontspinshow ontrafelen politicoloog Sarah de Lange en journalist Mark Lievisse Adriaanse alle taaltrucs en Haagse framing van politici. ‘Door kabinet-Schoof centrumrechts te noem...
www.mareonline.nl
January 22, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Mooi stuk in @mareonline.nl over ons alumni-event De Grote Politieke Ontspin Show met @sldelange.bsky.social @markla94.bsky.social, & Rozemarijn Lubbe o.l.v. @evelinevr.bsky.social.
Aanmelden voor alumni @polscileiden.bsky.social 👉 www.universiteitleiden.nl/agenda/2026/...
Aanmelden voor alumni @polscileiden.bsky.social 👉 www.universiteitleiden.nl/agenda/2026/...
This is the most important election in Europe in a decade.
Hungary is a competitive authoritarian state, not a democracy, so it’s an uphill fight to keep the vote clean.
All eyes on Hungary April 12 so Orban can’t steal the election.
Hungary is a competitive authoritarian state, not a democracy, so it’s an uphill fight to keep the vote clean.
All eyes on Hungary April 12 so Orban can’t steal the election.
Good news! The OSCE Democracy Office suggests sending a full election observation mission to Hungary, with 200 observers on election day. Highly necessary, considering the charged situation and persistent fairness issues. @europarl.europa.eu should send a mission too!
odihr.osce.org/node/661804
odihr.osce.org/node/661804
Hungary, Parliamentary elections, 12 April 2026
Following an official invitation from the authorities of Hungary to observe the parliamentary elections to be held on 12 April 2026, and in accordance...
odihr.osce.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:42 AM
This is the most important election in Europe in a decade.
Hungary is a competitive authoritarian state, not a democracy, so it’s an uphill fight to keep the vote clean.
All eyes on Hungary April 12 so Orban can’t steal the election.
Hungary is a competitive authoritarian state, not a democracy, so it’s an uphill fight to keep the vote clean.
All eyes on Hungary April 12 so Orban can’t steal the election.
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Met Mark Lievisse Adriaanse in gesprek in @mareonline over framen en spinnen in de politiek www.mareonline.nl/achtergrond/...
Trap niet in de frames van politici
In De Grote Politieke Ontspinshow ontrafelen politicoloog Sarah de Lange en journalist Mark Lievisse Adriaanse alle taaltrucs en Haagse framing van politici. ‘Media zijn te vaak een doorgeefluik.’<br ...
www.mareonline.nl
January 22, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Met Mark Lievisse Adriaanse in gesprek in @mareonline over framen en spinnen in de politiek www.mareonline.nl/achtergrond/...
We’re past that. Republicans threw NATO away when they threatened an ally. An alliance is an idea. It works if we believe it works. If we can mutually trust our allies will come to our aid. That trust is gone.
The institution of NATO may still exist but it is not currently an alliance.
The institution of NATO may still exist but it is not currently an alliance.
Taking over Greenland is not a joke. Trump is sending messages to foreign leaders and making threats that will destroy the most important alliance we have. Are Republicans in Congress and Marco Rubio really ready to throw NATO away because they’re too afraid to stand up to Trump?
January 19, 2026 at 9:17 PM
We’re past that. Republicans threw NATO away when they threatened an ally. An alliance is an idea. It works if we believe it works. If we can mutually trust our allies will come to our aid. That trust is gone.
The institution of NATO may still exist but it is not currently an alliance.
The institution of NATO may still exist but it is not currently an alliance.
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Howdy! After a taking a looonnnng break from social media, I have finally started a Bluesky account. At the moment, I am beginning to rebuild my Twitter network - if you recognize me from that platform (or, for that matter, from real life) please friend me.
Good to be back!
Good to be back!
January 18, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Howdy! After a taking a looonnnng break from social media, I have finally started a Bluesky account. At the moment, I am beginning to rebuild my Twitter network - if you recognize me from that platform (or, for that matter, from real life) please friend me.
Good to be back!
Good to be back!
Reposted by Tom Theuns
🚨We have a set of very nice PhD scholarships available at King’s College London’s Department of Political Economy 👨🎓 👩🏫
Candidates free to develop their own proposal within political science, communication, Econ etc.
⁉️Questions welcome
Happy if you have the option to share the call 🙏
Candidates free to develop their own proposal within political science, communication, Econ etc.
⁉️Questions welcome
Happy if you have the option to share the call 🙏
PhD Studentships in Political Economy at King’s College London on FindAPhD.com
PhD Programme - PhD Studentships in Political Economy at King’s College London, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:23 PM
🚨We have a set of very nice PhD scholarships available at King’s College London’s Department of Political Economy 👨🎓 👩🏫
Candidates free to develop their own proposal within political science, communication, Econ etc.
⁉️Questions welcome
Happy if you have the option to share the call 🙏
Candidates free to develop their own proposal within political science, communication, Econ etc.
⁉️Questions welcome
Happy if you have the option to share the call 🙏
Reposted by Tom Theuns
Trump's blunt territorial threat in the Arctic is "Machiavellian moment" for Europe, which could be relegated to the periphery of a US empire — a prospect that's stirring action including joint exercises among Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden on Greenland.
Ep.124: Machiavellian Moment in the Arctic
A small troop deployment to Greenland marks Europe’s response to US pressure. But it raises troubling questions: can the EU survive by abandoning its ideals? Historian Luuk van Middelaar unpacks Europ...
www.brusselstimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Trump's blunt territorial threat in the Arctic is "Machiavellian moment" for Europe, which could be relegated to the periphery of a US empire — a prospect that's stirring action including joint exercises among Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden on Greenland.
To be fair to Machado, she did just make her medal a museum piece. Future generations will file past this monument to the stupidity of our time as they read about the grifter-rapist-fascist-US President and his hunger for gold
Grinning like a 5-year old getting his participation trophy at the post-season T-ball pizza party.
January 16, 2026 at 7:58 AM
To be fair to Machado, she did just make her medal a museum piece. Future generations will file past this monument to the stupidity of our time as they read about the grifter-rapist-fascist-US President and his hunger for gold