The Rest Is Politics 455. Question Time: Is Europe Already At War With Russia?
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Oct 1, 2025 Is Europe inadvertently at war with Russia? Rory and Alastair explore Moldova's election and its implications for European stability. They also dissect the Czech political landscape and its signals regarding Russian influence. The hosts question the Netherlands' role in Europe amidst rising political tensions. Additionally, they tackle the proposed changes to national parks and highlight innovative youth policy ideas, like providing free sports bras in schools. A lively mix of politics, culture, and social impact headlines the discussion!
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Maya Sandu's Technocratic Rise In Moldova
- Rory recounts Maya Sandu's rise from World Bank official to Moldovan leader who pushed pro-EU reforms.
- He credits her with winning a majority, an EU referendum and resisting Russian influence.
Ukraine War Shapes Central European Politics
- Rory explains Central and Eastern European elections are heavily defined by the Ukraine war and energy dependency.
- He argues economic pain hasn't uniformly translated into pro-Russian votes as security concerns matter deeply.
A Pro-Russian Eastern Bloc Could Stall The EU
- Alastair warns a cluster of pro-Russian leaders across smaller EU states can block EU action.
- He names Fico, Orban and Babiš as forming a disruptive Eastern bloc inside Europe.