Denis MacShane

Denis MacShane is a former UK Europe Minister. He wrote the first biography of François Mitterrand and appears regularly on French TV and radio. His latest book is Brexiternity. The Uncertain Fate of Britain (IB Tauris-Bloomsbury).

Tomatoes or terrorists

Europe has so far failed to build a comprehensive relationship with countries across the Mediterranean. This is a missed opportunity that adversely affects the state of security and democracy for all parties.

By Denis MacShane

/ 18 Feb 2013

Cameron opens Europe’s Pandora’s box

As the dust settles on David Cameron's speech, what real impact has it had? Despite being met with scepticism throughout Europe, it has above all highlighted the need for an open discussion on the EU in Britain – and how the left has so far failed to address the European question.

By Denis MacShane

/ 5 Feb 2013

What do we mean by Islamism?

The British media and political landscape have done much to obscure a proper in-depth understanding of Islamism, the ideology, as separate from the Muslim faith. Two books can be a small help - everyone should read them.

By Denis MacShane

/ 2 Jan 2013

Georgian divisions: a dangerous poison?

Georgia goes to the polls today for tightly contested parliamentary elections. Despite an horrific prison abuse scandal on the eve of the vote, Mikheil Saakashvili believes his party has done enough to win; Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream party hope their energetic campaigning means oth

By Denis MacShane

/ 1 Oct 2012

Back to the Seventies?

As we head into an era of transition, a Labour MP is struck by a familiar feeling.

By Denis MacShane

/ 4 Dec 2011

Can a Kosovo-Serbia deal cheer up the Balkans?

Unlike most of the world's economic powers, Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo as a state. It will need to, though, before it can start down the road to EU accession.

By Denis MacShane

/ 7 Nov 2011

Tymoshenko: a matter for the people, not the courts

Yanukovych’s decision to authorise a Kafkaesque trial against Yulia Tymoshenko is proving to be his most counterproductive yet, writes Denis Macshane. Having created an unlikely heroine, and reduced EU integration from the hypothetical to the impossible, it is in Yanukovych’s best interests to ens

By Denis MacShane

/ 10 Oct 2011

Abkhazian Elections: Russia's pawn in Georgian game?

Abkhazia has gone to the polls to elect its third president. While the elections may provide an entertaining sideshow, there is little danger of them ever being legitimate or electing a truly independent voice, argues Denis MacShane

By Denis MacShane

/ 25 Aug 2011

The human organs of the Council of Europe: there is no evidence in the Marty report

Dick Marty's report to the Council of Europe reflects the unfortunate politicisation of that body by Russia since accession in 1995. Kosovan politics is not clean, but there is no evidence of organ trafficking by Thaçi. And Marty's judgement is clouded by his anti-American instincts. Christophe So

By Denis MacShane

/ 29 Dec 2010

Georgia's Promising Elections

The recent local elections in Georgia were deemed “free and fair”, but the opposition remains fragmented. Parliament is the proper forum for moving towards mature democracy, says Denis MacShane, but the world should not forget Georgia and its troubled relationship with its northern neighbour, Russ

By Denis MacShane

/ 9 Jun 2010

Italys centre-left and Europes future

The creation of the Democratic Party in Italy is a decisive - and exciting - turning-point in the history of progressive politics in Europe. For the first time in Europe there

By Denis MacShane

/ 2 Oct 2006