Andra Europe

Analyst - Digital Single Market EU - Personal views

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

My sincere thanks to the editorial team of China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe (CHOICE) for the publication of my article and for their professionalism. @chinaobservers

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

https://t.co/IlgcYNOWWO

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

𝕏 is the group chat of humanity

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

Spain already received around 900,000 requests from migrants to benefit from the ongoing mass regularisation process, a record-high figure with two weeks left before the deadline expires.

Government sources say around 360,000 requests have been processed so far.

@magnusbrunner

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

Shocking video from Saint-Étienne in France.

An illegal migrant from North Africa entered the Cathedral of St. Charles and attacked a disabled elderly woman who had come to attend mass.

He grabbed her in a headlock, stole her gold chain & fled the scene

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

A week in three places, connected by one theme: digital trade.

After discussing digital trade with experts at Xi’an University in China and engaging in conversations on the EU-India FTA at the European Parliament Europe India Centre for Business & Industry (EICBI)- European Parliament Accredited organisation in Brussels, I am looking forward to continuing the discussion in London on 12 June, where I will be teaching on the Digital Trade & Regulation programme at BICL. BIICL (British Institute of International and Comparative Law)

Questions around data flows, platform governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and the different approaches taken by the EU, the US, and China are increasingly shaping trade policy and business strategy.

Looking forward to exchanging views with participants and exploring how regulation is influencing the future of the digital economy.

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

BREAKING:

The 21-year-old French soldier Florian Gillet died today in Lebanon after being accidentally shot during a military exercise.

He had been deployed to Lebanon since June 1, as an infantry combat assistant instructor, helping to train the Lebanese Armed Forces.

🇫����

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

These scenes are taking place in front of the European Commission, not the European Parliament. But I suppose that is normal, since Ms Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality and Diversity, has told us not to stigmatise women wearing headscarves and even more. @vonderleyen @GiorgiaMeloni

Just read my post. Visegrad! https://t.co/Gly9XdOPCX

[Jorge Liboreiro @JorgeLiboreiro]

Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg want tougher safeguards for new EU countries to avoid a repeat of the Orbán era.

The proposal pitches a "non-regression clause", a faster Article 7 and a pause on veto right.

I have more details.
https://t.co/hQaZPtaB1H

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

Not everyone in the European Union knows what the Gaokao is. Even many of those commenting on it may not fully grasp what it means in practice.

Yet, here lies an unexpected point of common understanding between China & Eastern Europe.

For many Chinese families, the Gaokao is a defining life event, a gateway to opportunity, and a powerful symbol of merit, effort, and social mobility. it has shaped values, family expectations, and the life trajectories of generations.

Those of us from Eastern Europe can relate to this experience more easily than many might imagine.

During the communist period, many Eastern European countries had highly competitive national examinations that played a similar role.

I know this not from theory, but from personal experience. I started preparing years in advance. We lived with the pressure, the expectations, and the understanding that these exams mattered profoundly.

Perhaps this shared educational culture also helps explain why many Eastern European countries continue to perform strongly in STEM disciplines and why, after EU enlargement, children from Eastern European backgrounds were often noted for their advanced preparation in mathematics and science.

For many people in Eastern Europe, its significance is easier to understand because, in different forms, we once lived through something remarkably similar ourselves.

@CasparVeldkamp @eu_eeas

Photo left: When Europe Had Its Own Gaokao
@Fred NUSS/Dumitru Chiselita

Photo right: High school students prepare for the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), known as "gaokao," in Fuyang in eastern China's Anhui province on May 27, 2025. PHOTO: AFP

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

India’s birth rate has fallen below replacement.

Among those most educated, India’s birth rate fell below replacement many years ago.

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

It was great meeting with the talented folks who’ll be working at the Obama Presidential Center. We're excited to welcome everybody here soon!

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

BREAKING:

A large group of second and third-generation migrants is rioting in Brussels, the capital city of the EU.

They are building barricades, setting fires, vandalizing the city, looting stores as well as throwing rocks and shooting fireworks at police officers 🇪🇺🇧🇪

[Reuters @Reuters]

EU Parliament to switch to French search engine from Google in tech sovereignty push https://t.co/X2Awjt5ifA https://t.co/X2Awjt5ifA

[POLITICOEurope @POLITICOEurope]

European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno has left the Italian Democratic Party and the center-left group in the parliament, and is poised to join the liberals.
https://t.co/EgHlx94zWt

[BFM Business @bfmbusiness]

Après la défaite de Viktor Orbán, les oligarques fuient la Hongrie 🇭🇺

Selon le Guardian, depuis la victoire de Peter Magyar, les oligarques proches de Viktor Orbán cherchent à déplacer leur fortune hors de Hongrie, voir à fuir le pays dans certains cas.

🎙️ Priscillia Levyne

[POLITICOEurope @POLITICOEurope]

A controversial €3.6 million plan to build a 450-seat conference hall at the Committee of the Regions’ Brussels headquarters has been put on hold.
https://t.co/PZANBmrkpH

[Prof. Dr. Cristina Vanberghen @VanberghenEU]

In my latest article for @Euractiv, I examine Romania’s political upheaval and the uncertain transition now underway: “A Government Down, a Country in Flux: Romania’s Political Reset Begins.”

https://t.co/1LvwdoLvDw

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

🇫🇷 Exactly 9 years ago, on May 7, 2017, Emmanuel Macron was elected President of France

He was re-elected in 2022, but is constitutionally barred from running for a third term in 2027.

How do you assess Macron’s presidency?

[Barack Obama @BarackObama]

It was great talking to Stephen and the inspiring young people we’ve worked with at the @ObamaFoundation on the @ColbertLateShow.

When the Obama Presidential Center opens this June 19, my hope is that this will be a place where people can come together to meet, learn, and work with each other to create change in their communities. Learn more at https://t.co/ahkDMKalIn.