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European Union
European countries weaken blood donation policy for gays
From mid-2023, gay and bisexual men will be allowed to donate blood in Germany. The same rules will apply to everyone. Three questions and answers. *Why aren't they allowed to donate blood now?* According to blood banks, blood from homosexuals poses an increased public health risk because of an increased…
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Central Europe
Book review: Hungary keeps struggling with its history
Anyone who wants to understand Hungary and its Prime Minister must know the history of its capital. Victor Sebestyen's “Budapest: Between East and West” describes the history of a complex society that has struggled with its identity and position in Europe over the centuries. When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán…
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Northern Europe
Secular Sweden as a blueprint for Europe
Sweden is one of the least religious countries on the planet. According to researcher Per Ewert, social democracy has had a major role in this. The consequences, he says, are clear: great loneliness and rising crime rates.God no longer has the leading role in Sweden, but the individual. Social democracy…
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Southern Europe
Four ethical challenges for prime minister Meloni
With demographic decline as one of the key problems in Italy, the newly installed Meloni administration has its work cut out for them. The new Prime Minister of Italy sees the traditional family as the key instrument against the declining birth rate. Friday was a historic day in Italy. That…
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European Union
Seven countries in Europe where end-of-life issues are at the top
In at least seven European countries, the right to die is moving to the top of the political agenda. An overview. ## The Netherlands: court case about assisted suicide death The Dutch Janine de Graaf-Klunder (60) went to court on Monday. Together with 29 other plaintiffs, she wants to lift…
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Central Europe
Across Europe, single men can 'buy' a child
The Czech capital Prague is becoming increasingly popular for commercial surrogacy motherhood. Officially it is forbidden, but in practice, a lot is possible. Gay couples and single men can also pick up a child here. The Czech authorities completed a three-year investigation into human trafficking in early June. They investigated…
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European Union
Four questions about how surrogacy functions in Europe
The Italian right-wing politician Matteo Salvini initiatied a popular bill to limit surrogacy in Italy. It comes at a time of growing criticism towards these ‘wombs for hire’. Salvini, party leader of governing party Lega (League), said that assisted fertilisation is a “business worth six billion euros a year that…
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Northern Europe
Christian Democrats Norway look back on historic loss
Although the Democratic Party of Norway mobilised its voters well in a final sprint, it was not enough to pass the voting threshold of 4 per cent. The conservative party that delivered two prime ministers in the last 25 years won just 3,8 per cent of the votes. The party…
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European Union
“Pegasus spyware is an insult on democracy”
Journalists, activists and politicians are being followed daily by their phones. The Pegasus software is causing controversy worldwide. Four questions and answers. ***What is Pegasus?*** Pegasus is an observation technology developed by the Israeli NSO Group. It sells the software exclusively to governments and law enforcement agencies. Pegasus users can…
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