Wester van Gaal
@westervangaal.bsky.social
Journalist @euobs in Brussels - EU politics, climate, green finance, industrial policy. Formerly @vice @decorrespondent
they went as themselves.
November 4, 2025 at 8:03 PM
they went as themselves.
Warborn in his post-vote presser and also on X (he's isn't on here) blames S&D defectors. I wouldn't be surprised some of his own EPP decided to reject the 'pro-EU' compromise. Some names come to mind.
October 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Warborn in his post-vote presser and also on X (he's isn't on here) blames S&D defectors. I wouldn't be surprised some of his own EPP decided to reject the 'pro-EU' compromise. Some names come to mind.
Very inspired reading about ‘Chinese’ Gordon who wished he’d been a eunuch from age 14. A true British hero.
And surely a good contender for history’s top almost-eunuchs?
@theresthistory.bsky.social
And surely a good contender for history’s top almost-eunuchs?
@theresthistory.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Very inspired reading about ‘Chinese’ Gordon who wished he’d been a eunuch from age 14. A true British hero.
And surely a good contender for history’s top almost-eunuchs?
@theresthistory.bsky.social
And surely a good contender for history’s top almost-eunuchs?
@theresthistory.bsky.social
What did help? Direct investment in local production. But by then it was too late. Markets had made their choice.
October 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
What did help? Direct investment in local production. But by then it was too late. Markets had made their choice.
By putting up tariffs (Hi Trump) “ended up actually benefitting Japan’s producers”
October 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
By putting up tariffs (Hi Trump) “ended up actually benefitting Japan’s producers”
Trying to save a dying industry by lowering taxes, deregulation and letting pension funds invest in. (Hi draghi) “Sales barely budged”
October 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Trying to save a dying industry by lowering taxes, deregulation and letting pension funds invest in. (Hi draghi) “Sales barely budged”
Belatedly reading this, prompted by the Nexperia dust up this week. And im very certain im not the first saying this but it’s uncanny how western worries and explanations of Japan’s industrial success in the 1980s prefigure those about China today.
October 17, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Belatedly reading this, prompted by the Nexperia dust up this week. And im very certain im not the first saying this but it’s uncanny how western worries and explanations of Japan’s industrial success in the 1980s prefigure those about China today.
In the run-up to the 2023 election, which he won, much was made in the media of Wilders’ “milder” tone.
“He is returning to that tone....I’m willing to bet all my money that in the next campaign, he’s going for Milders II.” June 2025
euobserver.com/eu-political...
“He is returning to that tone....I’m willing to bet all my money that in the next campaign, he’s going for Milders II.” June 2025
euobserver.com/eu-political...
October 8, 2025 at 11:08 AM
In the run-up to the 2023 election, which he won, much was made in the media of Wilders’ “milder” tone.
“He is returning to that tone....I’m willing to bet all my money that in the next campaign, he’s going for Milders II.” June 2025
euobserver.com/eu-political...
“He is returning to that tone....I’m willing to bet all my money that in the next campaign, he’s going for Milders II.” June 2025
euobserver.com/eu-political...
Welcome to the Gildpunk-era
September 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Welcome to the Gildpunk-era
This is how you know she won’t. As long as EU plans hinge on the myth of a giant dormant pot of money waiting to be channelled to citizens’ needs (how, by whom?), we’ll end up with more Porsche Taycans and costlier privatised public services instead.
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
September 10, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This is how you know she won’t. As long as EU plans hinge on the myth of a giant dormant pot of money waiting to be channelled to citizens’ needs (how, by whom?), we’ll end up with more Porsche Taycans and costlier privatised public services instead.
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
ECB’s first president, Wim Duisenberg, said in 1999 that stable prices would “automatically foster” international euro use.
It didn’t. The ECB has since distanced itself from this but still treats euro internationalisation as a domestic issue that will somehow emerge from “deeper capital markets.”
It didn’t. The ECB has since distanced itself from this but still treats euro internationalisation as a domestic issue that will somehow emerge from “deeper capital markets.”
June 26, 2025 at 6:12 AM
ECB’s first president, Wim Duisenberg, said in 1999 that stable prices would “automatically foster” international euro use.
It didn’t. The ECB has since distanced itself from this but still treats euro internationalisation as a domestic issue that will somehow emerge from “deeper capital markets.”
It didn’t. The ECB has since distanced itself from this but still treats euro internationalisation as a domestic issue that will somehow emerge from “deeper capital markets.”
While important that's not all a currency needs to thrive globally. To really grow, the euro also needs a tougher foreign policy that expands offshore money infrastructure and boosts the use of the euro as a trade currency — especially in green/clean supply chains.
June 26, 2025 at 6:12 AM
While important that's not all a currency needs to thrive globally. To really grow, the euro also needs a tougher foreign policy that expands offshore money infrastructure and boosts the use of the euro as a trade currency — especially in green/clean supply chains.
@larawolters.bsky.social with some powerful words on what scrapping harmonised EU civil liability rules really means:
June 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
@larawolters.bsky.social with some powerful words on what scrapping harmonised EU civil liability rules really means:
70 MEPs are attending the Pride march in Budapest 28 June. Good on them.
Of course, the 'centre-right' European People's Party (along with their 'right-wing' buddies) isn't sending anyone.
They prefer to passively angle their forks through their Alsace sauerkraut stew, waiting for it all to end.
Of course, the 'centre-right' European People's Party (along with their 'right-wing' buddies) isn't sending anyone.
They prefer to passively angle their forks through their Alsace sauerkraut stew, waiting for it all to end.
June 18, 2025 at 6:16 AM
70 MEPs are attending the Pride march in Budapest 28 June. Good on them.
Of course, the 'centre-right' European People's Party (along with their 'right-wing' buddies) isn't sending anyone.
They prefer to passively angle their forks through their Alsace sauerkraut stew, waiting for it all to end.
Of course, the 'centre-right' European People's Party (along with their 'right-wing' buddies) isn't sending anyone.
They prefer to passively angle their forks through their Alsace sauerkraut stew, waiting for it all to end.
Too lazy to write a thread (which I thoroughly dislike doing), so here’s a screenshot of this morning’s LinkedIn version of my newsletter about a story I filed yesterday (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) about Why Wilders👩🦱 Quit (?!)
June 4, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Too lazy to write a thread (which I thoroughly dislike doing), so here’s a screenshot of this morning’s LinkedIn version of my newsletter about a story I filed yesterday (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) about Why Wilders👩🦱 Quit (?!)
Dutch politics 👍
June 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Dutch politics 👍
For context: previously, French negotiators falsely claimed Draghi said the EU was losing 10% of GDP due to complex rules, in a letter calling for the 'indefinite' delay EU green rules.
In fact, Draghi said no such thing, as @euobserver.com revealed here: euobserver.com/green-econom...
In fact, Draghi said no such thing, as @euobserver.com revealed here: euobserver.com/green-econom...
May 20, 2025 at 10:21 AM
For context: previously, French negotiators falsely claimed Draghi said the EU was losing 10% of GDP due to complex rules, in a letter calling for the 'indefinite' delay EU green rules.
In fact, Draghi said no such thing, as @euobserver.com revealed here: euobserver.com/green-econom...
In fact, Draghi said no such thing, as @euobserver.com revealed here: euobserver.com/green-econom...
The petition calling on the EU to ban LGBTI conversion practices in Europe [labelled as torture by the UN] is racing toward one million signatures before tomorrow’s deadline.
Just added my name.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
Just added my name.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
May 16, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The petition calling on the EU to ban LGBTI conversion practices in Europe [labelled as torture by the UN] is racing toward one million signatures before tomorrow’s deadline.
Just added my name.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
Just added my name.
eci.ec.europa.eu/043/public/#...
EU treathens to slap tariffs on aircraft and live asses 📈
May 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
EU treathens to slap tariffs on aircraft and live asses 📈
Yields are falling across the eurozone. ECB is doing its part. With cheaper borrowing on the table, will governments boost public investment, or let the moment slip?
April 18, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Yields are falling across the eurozone. ECB is doing its part. With cheaper borrowing on the table, will governments boost public investment, or let the moment slip?
Sheesh, Weber sounds like Mr Wormwood (Matilda's dad) flogging a car full of sawdust.
“I guarantee that none of them [far right] have an official role in the European parliament — the cordon sanitaire is fully implemented,” Weber told the FT [wink-wink, patting the bonnet of a rickety coalition.]
“I guarantee that none of them [far right] have an official role in the European parliament — the cordon sanitaire is fully implemented,” Weber told the FT [wink-wink, patting the bonnet of a rickety coalition.]
April 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Sheesh, Weber sounds like Mr Wormwood (Matilda's dad) flogging a car full of sawdust.
“I guarantee that none of them [far right] have an official role in the European parliament — the cordon sanitaire is fully implemented,” Weber told the FT [wink-wink, patting the bonnet of a rickety coalition.]
“I guarantee that none of them [far right] have an official role in the European parliament — the cordon sanitaire is fully implemented,” Weber told the FT [wink-wink, patting the bonnet of a rickety coalition.]
Found this incredibly interesting and rich on bunds/eu-assets by Reuters' Mark Dolan who isn't around here.
April 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Found this incredibly interesting and rich on bunds/eu-assets by Reuters' Mark Dolan who isn't around here.
this bit 👌
www.crisesnotes.com/our2025lehma...
www.crisesnotes.com/our2025lehma...
April 9, 2025 at 3:25 PM
this bit 👌
www.crisesnotes.com/our2025lehma...
www.crisesnotes.com/our2025lehma...
Trump managed to both slap one of the harshest tariffs on Myanmar and end USAID, just as it’s facing an epochal humanitarian disaster (earthquake, civil war). Vicious cruelty.
Via @adamtooze.bsky.social
Via @adamtooze.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Trump managed to both slap one of the harshest tariffs on Myanmar and end USAID, just as it’s facing an epochal humanitarian disaster (earthquake, civil war). Vicious cruelty.
Via @adamtooze.bsky.social
Via @adamtooze.bsky.social
April 2, 2025 at 7:12 AM