Agnes Fältman

Agnes Fältman is non-profit active as a FUF correspondent.

Below are all articles written by Agnes Fältman.

Week 37: New ministers and debate about Sweden's role in the world

The new foreign minister has previously been migration minister in Ulf Kristersson's government. Opinions on the editorial pages differ on which parts of the world Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) should focus on in her new role. Photo: News Øresund, Henrik Smångs. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Maria Malmer Stenergard succeeds Tobias Billström as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Johan Forssell becomes the new Minister of Migration and Benjamin Dousa, former CEO of Företagarna and think tank Timbro, takes over as Minister of Aid and Foreign Trade. The ministerial changes have sparked a great deal of debate about the government's foreign and aid policy and what role Sweden should play in the international arena.

September 16, 2024, Current debate

Great challenge with gender equality in German-speaking Europe

Women's negative special position on the labor market is often connected to the fact that they have children and are on parental leave. This is, for example, the case in Austria and the cultural neighbors Germany and Switzerland. "There is an unspoken expectation for women to do the unpaid work in the home," says Austrian social anthropologist and preschool teacher Hannah Büchel to Utvecklingsmagasinet. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

In a part of Europe where a woman's role has long meant being a housewife, a new old structure has emerged: female part-time work in combination with unpaid work in the home. As a result, the German-speaking countries have among the largest wage differences between women and men in all of Europe. But today's young people increasingly question status quo and want to see a change. 

June 24, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

The assassination attempt on Robert Fico shakes up an already polarized Slovakia ahead of the EU elections

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico survived an assassination attempt on May 15 and is struggling to recover. Since he took office in October 2023, political tensions in Slovakia have increased, as his government implemented a series of controversial reforms that, according to the European Commission, threaten the rule of law in the country. Photo: European Council. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Fältman

The assassination attempt against the pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico has already left a deep mark and has become political dynamite in polarized Slovakia. With the upcoming EU elections, it is eagerly awaited what the recovering leader's next step will be - continued radicalization, or increased humility and tolerance towards dissenters?

May 27, 2024, Analysis, FUF-correspondents

Thousands protest that right-wing populist party may win the election in Austria

"Firewall against right-wing extremism". Since January, thousands of protesters regularly gather and march through central Vienna. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

On the streets of Austria, there are demonstrations against right-wing extremism and scandals EU-critical party Freiheitliche party Austria (FPÖ). With 30 percent of voter support is FPÖ according to opinion polls the largest party ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. About FPÖ comes to power, it could mean major changes for Austria, the EU and European aid to Ukraine - which the party wants to stop. 

April 8, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Young and highly educated people are leaving Hungary – as a result of Orbán's policies

Since 2022, Hungary can no longer be considered a full-fledged democracy. The political and economic development in the country has meant that many young and highly educated people choose to leave. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, the nationalist ruling party, has over the past decade systematically dismantled the country's democratic institutions. In an increasingly harsh economic and political climate many young and highly educated Hungarians choose to move abroad. What can attract them back? Can liberal winds blowing across former nationalist ally Poland bring hope for change? 

February 26, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Austria's dependence on Russia divides public opinion

Austria still has strong economic ties to Russia - about which Austrians and Ukrainians in the country have divided opinions. Pictured: Valeriia Ventskovska at the Universität Wien campus/Parliament of Austria in Vienna. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Få länder within the EU still has så strong financial relationships to Russia as Österrich. The country's imports of Russian gas and många företag's continued operations in Russia after the war of aggression against Ukraine divides opinion among ömore sterile as well that newänth Ukrainians. Some believe that gas imports partially finance the war in Ukraine, others believes that the humanitära hjälpen ÖAustria gives to the waräruled the land bör stå in focus.  

December 18, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

Vienna shows the way forward in the global housing shortage

Many countries and cities in the world have problems with housing shortages - despite the fact that all people must have access to affordable and safe housing by 2030 at the latest, according to the global goals. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

According to Agenda 2030, all people must have access to affordable and safe housing by 2030 at the latest, something that cities around the world are fighting hard to achieve. Vienna has long been considered one of the cities in the world with the highest standard of living. This is partly due to the city's unique system of low-cost municipal tenancies, which today house more than half of the residents. How has Vienna managed to do what so many other cities around the world have not? 

November 9, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report