The Conservative-DUP Partnership: a path to a soft Brexit

Guest post by Dr Anthony Costello, lecturer in EU Politics and Comparative Government at the Department of Government, University College Cork. Following the recent General Election in the United Kingdom, the prospect of a soft Brexit now appears to be more achievable than previously anticipated; albeit under the most unlikely and controversial circumstances.

Slow progress forming a Dutch government is no surprise

Talks on forming a new coalition government in the Netherlands collapsed again on Monday evening, when chief negotiator Herman Tjeenk Willink said the four parties involved ­­­­­­­had decided not to pursue the alliance. This comes almost three months after the election. It’s hardly a record yet, but it should not surprise us if government formation…

Irish Unity: A persuasive opportunity structure, a dissuasive reality

Guest post by Dr Anthony Costello, lecturer in EU policy-making, Comparative European Government and Politics, Conflict and Conflict Resolution, and Irish and Northern Irish Politics at the Department of Government, University College Cork. Ireland is well equipped to negotiate Brexit successfully due to its deep-rooted relationship with the United Kingdom. However, this relationship alone will not…

Climate politics in Ireland

Guest post by Conor Little (University of Copenhagen) and Diarmuid Torney (Dublin City University). Ireland’s climate policy process has again reached a crucial stage. The publication of a draft National Mitigation Plan is one of the final steps towards formulating Ireland’s climate policy for the next five years.

Macron to face Le Pen in French election second round

Guest post by Dr Emmanuelle Schon-Quinlivan, Lecturer in European Politics at the Department of Government, University College Cork. As predicted by all the French pollsters, Macron and Le Pen are the final two who will go head to head on 7 May to become President of France. What does this election tell us about France and…