18 March 2022
Not the Time for Carrots?
Issuing ‘golden’ passports and residence permits to non-Europeans in return for investment in their national economy has always been controversial. Now with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, these deals have attracted new attention. Since Russians account for a significant share of the customers, there have been widespread calls, including from the European Parliament, for an end to this practice. Can the EU do anything about this? Continue reading >>
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18 March 2022
The Oligarchs Among Us
It is no secret that Russian oligarchs have not only been collecting fancy toys but also various golden passport, that not only have allowed them to make them feel like home in the Europe Union, but also to be a part of “us”. And since the spotlight is already shifting towards how it is that some of these Russian oligarchs are indeed “our” very own oligarchs, there will be questions of what it is that validates the legal status of nationality actually. It is an old question to be fair, but the apparent answer of the day that nationality is what any State makes of it is therefore no less unconvincing and should lead to some soul searching. Continue reading >>17 March 2022
Eine kleine Sensation aus Den Haag
Am 16. März 2022 hat der Internationale Gerichtshof in Den Haag mit 13 zu 2 Stimmen einstweilige Maßnahmen gegenüber Russland erlassen. Die Anordnung dieser einstweiligen Maßnahmen ist eine kleine Sensation, denn so offensichtlich der von Russland begangene Verstoß gegen das völkerrechtliche Gewaltverbot sein mag, so schwierig ist es, in einem solchen Fall die Zuständigkeit des IGH zu begründen. Continue reading >>
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16 March 2022
The EU as Quasi-NATO
Putin has reportedly threatened both Sweden and Finland against joining NATO, attempting to preempt a shift away from the commitment to neutrality that is deeply embedded in the Swedish political soul. It is therefore all the more interesting that Sweden and Finland have recently concluded a new strategy of enhanced security cooperation between the states. In addition, the Swedish government, together with Finland, has sent a letter to other EU Member States reminding them of their obligation to assist any EU country in case of belligerent attack. Should we interpret this as an expectation for the EU to function effectively as a quasi-NATO? Continue reading >>
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15 March 2022
Reimagining a European Constitution
At this point, it is almost trite to say that the invasion of Ukraine has thrown the world order into tailspin. Unimaginable steps have been taken by the European Union and its Member States in the weeks since the invasion. These steps have already started to have significant consequences for discussions on the future of EU constitutionalism. Arguably, the appetite and political will for change is unprecedented and could serve to unplug EU constitutionalism from its sclerotic tendencies – it must be capitalised on. Continue reading >>
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14 March 2022
Die Made im NATO-Speck
Der Krieg in der Ukraine hat innerhalb kürzester Zeit Grundprämissen des etablierten österreichischen Neutralitätskonzepts in Frage gestellt – selbst ein NATO-Beitritt wurde diskutiert. Der Gang dieser Diskussion vermochte innerhalb kürzester Zeit die gesamten rechtlichen Schwachstellen des österreichischen Neutralitätskonzepts offen zu legen. Gleichzeitig zeigt sich, wie opportun es für Österreich ist und weshalb wohl auch weiter daran festgehalten wird. Continue reading >>
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14 March 2022
Über die Grenzen des Rechts
Der Angriffskrieg Putins gegen die Ukraine hat in den vergangenen Tagen eine Welle der Empathie und Solidarität ausgelöst. Die Reaktionen haben aber auch deutlich gemacht, dass es Hierarchien darin gibt, wem solche Empathie und Solidarität entgegengebracht wird – und wem eher nicht. Diese Hierarchien sind Ausdruck von strukturellen und institutionellen Rassismen. Das Recht hat in diesem Zusammenhang eine ambivalente Rolle, indem es zugleich rassistische Strukturen (re)produziert und dazu einlädt, eben diese zu hinterfragen und zu überwinden. Continue reading >>11 March 2022
Sanctions for Abramovich, but Schröder Goes Scot-Free
What is the role of citizenship – Russian and European – in the context of the deployment and operation of the sanctions? The question is far from trivial. Indeed, effective rights-focused judicial review of such measures is very weak, allowing the matters of foreign policy and perceived political expediency and retribution to override core constitutional principles and guarantees of the European legal systems at all levels. Let us start with history, to understand what is going on and give it a legal assessment. Continue reading >>10 March 2022
A Tale of Two Borders
Poland has an over 500 km long border with Ukraine and – right next to it – an over 400 km long border with Belarus. At the border with Ukraine, tens of thousands of persons are crossing each day, and the authorities are making a huge effort to make the crossing smooth. At the border with Ukraine, tens of thousands of persons are crossing each day, and the authorities are making a huge effort to make the crossing smooth. At the border with Belarus, people who are trying to cross into Poland are still forced to wander in minus temperatures through thick woods. Continue reading >>
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10 March 2022