Max Becker
@beckermax.bsky.social
Working @swp-europe.bsky.social
Focus on far-right politics & security/ defence in 🇪🇺
https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/researcher/max-becker
views are my own
Focus on far-right politics & security/ defence in 🇪🇺
https://www.swp-berlin.org/en/researcher/max-becker
views are my own
Pinned
Max Becker
@beckermax.bsky.social
· Sep 19
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa
Wo Rechtsaußenparteien in das EU-System eingebunden – und wo sie isoliert werden
www.swp-berlin.org
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa: Nach den Europawahlen 2024 stellen sie 26 % der Abgeordneten im EP – und sind in 1/3 der Mitgliedstaaten an Regierungen beteiligt. Das neue @swp-berlin.org Aktuell von @nvondarza.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und mir
👇
👇
Reposted by Max Becker
Puts one of the fears of additional European defence spending into focus: Instead of spending in a more coordinated way, the additional funds incentivise industry towards more defence inflation and more protection of their national fiefdoms.
»Another person close to the project said Dassault “simply doesn’t want to engage in a real partnership”. (...) “The feeling is ‘we have funds like we’ve never had before on defence’ so if we need to do it without the French let’s just do it,” said a person with knowledge of the thinking in Berlin.«
Berlin and Paris discuss scrapping joint fighter to focus on air ‘combat cloud’
Proposed downsizing of €100bn flagship defence project follows feuding by Airbus and Dassault
www.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Puts one of the fears of additional European defence spending into focus: Instead of spending in a more coordinated way, the additional funds incentivise industry towards more defence inflation and more protection of their national fiefdoms.
Reposted by Max Becker
From the creeping integration of the far-right into the EPP seeking majorities on central EU policies with the far-right.
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
Will centrist EPP join forces with ‘rightwing extremists’?
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
euobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
From the creeping integration of the far-right into the EPP seeking majorities on central EU policies with the far-right.
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
Reposted by Max Becker
Over the summer, @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and I wrote about the 'creeping integration of the far-right' into EU decision-making.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Over the summer, @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and I wrote about the 'creeping integration of the far-right' into EU decision-making.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Reposted by Max Becker
Der Aufstieg der Rechtsaußen-Parteien war die auffälligste Geschichte der #Europawahl 2024 – aber nicht die einzige.
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
Frisch erschienen: Die Europawahl 2024 – Rechtsruck im Schatten des Krieges
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
October 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Der Aufstieg der Rechtsaußen-Parteien war die auffälligste Geschichte der #Europawahl 2024 – aber nicht die einzige.
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
Reposted by Max Becker
By now a regular feature of policy-making in the European Parliament - the centre-right EPP at least threatening or actually voting with the far-right, which offers alternative majorities.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
EPP ready to side with far right to strip back EU sustainability rules
EPP ready to side with far right to strip back EU sustainability rules
EPP, Socialists and Renew leaders huddled behind closed doors this morning to find a compromise on the sustainability and due diligence laws
dlvr.it
October 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
By now a regular feature of policy-making in the European Parliament - the centre-right EPP at least threatening or actually voting with the far-right, which offers alternative majorities.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
Reposted by Max Becker
Schrumpfen statt wachsen? Eine neue französische Regierung steht, und zwei Parteien aus der bisherigen Minderheitsregierung drohen auszusteigen, LR und UDI. Die Opposition kocht. Was ist passiert?
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
October 6, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Schrumpfen statt wachsen? Eine neue französische Regierung steht, und zwei Parteien aus der bisherigen Minderheitsregierung drohen auszusteigen, LR und UDI. Die Opposition kocht. Was ist passiert?
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Reposted by Max Becker
In my substack EU-Analytics, I now do monthly reviews of EU voting in the EP and the Council. September 2025 edition is here, with a closer look at voting on Ukraine, overall EP changes - with another centre-right to far-right majority - and a surprise German vote in the Council:
EU Analytics - September 2025 review
With the far-right still split on Ukraine, the centre-right working with the far-right on Colombia, and a first Return of the “German Vote” under Merz
substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
In my substack EU-Analytics, I now do monthly reviews of EU voting in the EP and the Council. September 2025 edition is here, with a closer look at voting on Ukraine, overall EP changes - with another centre-right to far-right majority - and a surprise German vote in the Council:
Reposted by Max Becker
Important analysis of the creeping shift to the right. Decisive factor will be Christian Democratic #EPP, writes @nvondarza.bsky.social Most important, EPP under Manfred Weber (CSU) has got the choice. His coalitions with the far-right are not a must. EPP could easily form majorities without them.
Here is the full paper:
English: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
German: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Comments welcome!
English: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
German: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Comments welcome!
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Important analysis of the creeping shift to the right. Decisive factor will be Christian Democratic #EPP, writes @nvondarza.bsky.social Most important, EPP under Manfred Weber (CSU) has got the choice. His coalitions with the far-right are not a must. EPP could easily form majorities without them.
The creeping integration of far right parties in 🇪🇺 within the last couple of years and the crucial role of the @eppgroup.bsky.social Give it a read 👇
The influence of far-right parties in the EU is growing. Whether the Union can continue to rely on a pro-European camp depends above all on the EPP, write @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social. www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The creeping integration of far right parties in 🇪🇺 within the last couple of years and the crucial role of the @eppgroup.bsky.social Give it a read 👇
Reposted by Max Becker
Before #EP2024, I predicted the far right to gain power in EU institutions "not through sweeping victory, but creeping normalisation":
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Before #EP2024, I predicted the far right to gain power in EU institutions "not through sweeping victory, but creeping normalisation":
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
Reposted by Max Becker
Before last week, NATO's art. 4 had been activated seven times. Now it has been activated twice in less than ten days, by Poland over the drone incursions and Estonia over the air space by violation by Russian fighter jets.
⚡️Estonia asks NATO to activate Article 4 after Russian fighter jets violate airspace.
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19.
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19.
Estonia asks NATO to activate Article 4 after Russian fighter jets violate airspace
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept...
kyivindependent.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Before last week, NATO's art. 4 had been activated seven times. Now it has been activated twice in less than ten days, by Poland over the drone incursions and Estonia over the air space by violation by Russian fighter jets.
Reposted by Max Becker
Der Einfluss von Rechtsaußenparteien in der EU wächst. Ob sich die Union weiterhin auf ein proeuropäisches Lager stützen kann, hängt v.a. von der EVP ab, schreiben @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social.
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa
Wo Rechtsaußenparteien in das EU-System eingebunden – und wo sie isoliert werden
www.swp-berlin.org
September 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Der Einfluss von Rechtsaußenparteien in der EU wächst. Ob sich die Union weiterhin auf ein proeuropäisches Lager stützen kann, hängt v.a. von der EVP ab, schreiben @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social.
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa: Nach den Europawahlen 2024 stellen sie 26 % der Abgeordneten im EP – und sind in 1/3 der Mitgliedstaaten an Regierungen beteiligt. Das neue @swp-berlin.org Aktuell von @nvondarza.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und mir
👇
👇
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa
Wo Rechtsaußenparteien in das EU-System eingebunden – und wo sie isoliert werden
www.swp-berlin.org
September 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa: Nach den Europawahlen 2024 stellen sie 26 % der Abgeordneten im EP – und sind in 1/3 der Mitgliedstaaten an Regierungen beteiligt. Das neue @swp-berlin.org Aktuell von @nvondarza.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und mir
👇
👇
Reposted by Max Becker
just going to leave this here
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
September 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
just going to leave this here
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
Reposted by Max Becker
Reminder that Putin has never said he wants a trilateral meeting, had never said he would respect Ukrainian sovereignty, and has never said he wants to end the war. Not to be a downer, but the discussion of security guarantees is premature.
August 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Reminder that Putin has never said he wants a trilateral meeting, had never said he would respect Ukrainian sovereignty, and has never said he wants to end the war. Not to be a downer, but the discussion of security guarantees is premature.
Reposted by Max Becker
New #EU Security and Defence Partnerships with 🇨🇦 , 🇳🇴 & 🇬🇧 – same framework, different depth.
@johannaflach.bsky.social & @nvondarza.bsky.social compare scope, ambitions & political signalling. And what these new agreements reveal about Europe's evolving security architecture.
Give it a read 👇
@johannaflach.bsky.social & @nvondarza.bsky.social compare scope, ambitions & political signalling. And what these new agreements reveal about Europe's evolving security architecture.
Give it a read 👇
A tale of three partnerships - UK in a changing Europe
Johanna Flach and Nicolai von Ondarza explore the new EU security and defence partnerships with Canada, Norway and the UK.
ukandeu.ac.uk
August 7, 2025 at 12:00 PM
New #EU Security and Defence Partnerships with 🇨🇦 , 🇳🇴 & 🇬🇧 – same framework, different depth.
@johannaflach.bsky.social & @nvondarza.bsky.social compare scope, ambitions & political signalling. And what these new agreements reveal about Europe's evolving security architecture.
Give it a read 👇
@johannaflach.bsky.social & @nvondarza.bsky.social compare scope, ambitions & political signalling. And what these new agreements reveal about Europe's evolving security architecture.
Give it a read 👇
Happy to see my first ever contribution to a book chapter published! If you’re interested in the fluidity of #EP Political Groups - give it a read 😌 Thanks to @manuelmueller.foederalist.eu, Michael Kaeding, @alexhoppe.bsky.social and @nvondarza.bsky.social
"A Fluid Parliament: Changes in the Composition of EP Political Groups Ahead and After the 2024 Elections", new analysis by @beckermax.bsky.social and me on the changes in EP political groups before and after the 2024 EP elections.
It covers all groups, with a special emphasis on the far-right:
It covers all groups, with a special emphasis on the far-right:
The 2024 European Parliament Elections
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 European Parliament elections, offering diverse insights from experts for a deeper understanding.
link.springer.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Happy to see my first ever contribution to a book chapter published! If you’re interested in the fluidity of #EP Political Groups - give it a read 😌 Thanks to @manuelmueller.foederalist.eu, Michael Kaeding, @alexhoppe.bsky.social and @nvondarza.bsky.social
Reposted by Max Becker
Elections have consequences - and with the far-right groups now about 25% of elected representatives int he European Parliament, they are bound to take a more influential role in EU law-making:
🇮🇹 far-right secures key legislative role on EU Space Act
Speaking after her appointment, Elena Donazzan said the law must respect “national specificities” – a stance aligned with the Giorgia Meloni-led Italian government's earlier position.
- @euractiv.com
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
Speaking after her appointment, Elena Donazzan said the law must respect “national specificities” – a stance aligned with the Giorgia Meloni-led Italian government's earlier position.
- @euractiv.com
www.euractiv.com/section/tech...
Italian far-right secures key legislative role on EU Space Act - Euractiv
Newly appointed rapporteur, Elena Donazzan, says the legislation must respect “national specificities”.
www.euractiv.com
July 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Elections have consequences - and with the far-right groups now about 25% of elected representatives int he European Parliament, they are bound to take a more influential role in EU law-making:
Very important read by @timbale.bsky.social on the increasing use of the term “hard right” and why we shouldn’t be using it - and certainly not because we anticipate criticism from far right actors who do not want to be labelled as what they are
Far-right parties are doing well – so it’s important that we see them for what they are. Yet, in the UK, the label ‘hard right’ is catching on. Why is debateable. But, argues, @timbale.bsky.social, this misdescription sanitises far-right parties, and we should push back against it
bit.ly/4eLRBeC
bit.ly/4eLRBeC
Why we need to halt ‘hard right’ in its tracks
Far-right parties are doing well – so it’s important that we see them for what they are. Yet, in the UK, the label ‘hard right’ is catching on. Why is debateable. But, argues Tim Bale, it’s a misdescr...
bit.ly
July 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Very important read by @timbale.bsky.social on the increasing use of the term “hard right” and why we shouldn’t be using it - and certainly not because we anticipate criticism from far right actors who do not want to be labelled as what they are
Reposted by Max Becker
The motion of censure against von der Leyen isn’t about whether her Commission survives - it will -, but what Europe she’ll lead.
This motion goes to the heart of what the European Parliament has always been about: to hold the EU Commission democratically accountable.
A thread 🧵
This motion goes to the heart of what the European Parliament has always been about: to hold the EU Commission democratically accountable.
A thread 🧵
July 7, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The motion of censure against von der Leyen isn’t about whether her Commission survives - it will -, but what Europe she’ll lead.
This motion goes to the heart of what the European Parliament has always been about: to hold the EU Commission democratically accountable.
A thread 🧵
This motion goes to the heart of what the European Parliament has always been about: to hold the EU Commission democratically accountable.
A thread 🧵
Reposted by Max Becker
"the American realignment with Russia and against Ukraine and Europe is gathering pace—not merely in rhetoric but in reality"
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The U.S. Is Switching Sides
Donald Trump is giving Vladimir Putin every incentive to keep killing Ukrainians.
www.theatlantic.com
July 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
"the American realignment with Russia and against Ukraine and Europe is gathering pace—not merely in rhetoric but in reality"
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Max Becker
Meine Analyse heute morgen bei @Tagesschau zu #EU, #Sicherheitspolitik, #Trump, #G7, #Israel, #Iran www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/v...
Ronja Kempin, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, zur Rolle der EU bei Sicherheit und Verteidigung
Ronja Kempin, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, zur Rolle der EU bei Sicherheit und Verteidigung
www.tagesschau.de
June 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Meine Analyse heute morgen bei @Tagesschau zu #EU, #Sicherheitspolitik, #Trump, #G7, #Israel, #Iran www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/v...
Reposted by Max Becker
Der linke Flügel der SPD hat die Zeitenwende stets nur zähneknirschend mitgetragen, denn die Stärkung der konventionellen militärischen Abschreckung fordert den parteiinternen Heiligenschein von Ost- und Entspannungspolitik heraus. Je länger der Krieg andauert und umso höher die NATO-Ziele steigen,
Sie fordern Gespräche mit Russland und stellen sich gegen die hohen Ausgaben fürs Militär: Mehrere bekannte SPD-Politiker protestieren gegen die Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik ihrer Parteispitze – und der gesamten Bundesregierung.
SPD: Prominente Genossen stellen sich gegen Außenpolitik der Bundesregierung
Sie fordern Gespräche mit Russland und stellen sich gegen die hohen Ausgaben fürs Militär: Mehrere bekannte SPD-Politiker protestieren gegen die Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik ihrer Parteispitze – und der gesamten Bundesregierung.
www.spiegel.de
June 11, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Der linke Flügel der SPD hat die Zeitenwende stets nur zähneknirschend mitgetragen, denn die Stärkung der konventionellen militärischen Abschreckung fordert den parteiinternen Heiligenschein von Ost- und Entspannungspolitik heraus. Je länger der Krieg andauert und umso höher die NATO-Ziele steigen,
Reposted by Max Becker
Russland begeht Kriegsverbrechen als Routine und schießt ständig Raketen auf Zivilisten. Und immer noch fabulieren manche von „berechtigten Sicherheitsinteressen“. #SPD #Russland
www.stern.de/politik/deut...
www.stern.de/politik/deut...
"Manifest": Prominente SPD-Politiker fordern Gespräche mit Russland | STERN.de
Es ist ein heikler Aufschlag: Etliche prominente Genossen fordern in einem
www.stern.de
June 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Russland begeht Kriegsverbrechen als Routine und schießt ständig Raketen auf Zivilisten. Und immer noch fabulieren manche von „berechtigten Sicherheitsinteressen“. #SPD #Russland
www.stern.de/politik/deut...
www.stern.de/politik/deut...
Man könnte vieles über das #Manifest der (hoffentlich) alten #SPD sagen aber, dass es die dutzendfach widerlegte Falschbehauptung wiederholt Europa seie Russland militärisch überlegen um daraus den Schluss einer „Abrüstungspolitik“ und „Politik der gemeinsamen Sicherheit“ zu ziehen ist verstörend
Wie kann es eigentlich sein, dass die SPD aus jeder Regierungszeit dümmer herauskommt?
Anders kann ich dieses „Manifest“ von Ralf Stegner und anderen nicht erklären, in dem so getan wird, als könne man mit einer revisionistisch-imperialistischen Macht verhandeln wie einst mit der Sowjetunion.
Anders kann ich dieses „Manifest“ von Ralf Stegner und anderen nicht erklären, in dem so getan wird, als könne man mit einer revisionistisch-imperialistischen Macht verhandeln wie einst mit der Sowjetunion.
June 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM