Vote!  Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     We are already on our eighth episode! Check out the previous ones on our website. Today, we talk with Jo Smeets, from ‘Maastricht van Nu’.  About Jo

Over Jo Maastricht Diplomat (MD): Bent u in Maastricht geboren? Jo Smeets (JS): Ik ben een rasechte ‘sjeng’, ja. MD: Wat betekent het voor u om Maastrichtenaar te zijn? JS: Het woord 'Maastrichtenaar' vind ik al raar. Iedereen die in Maastricht woont, is een Maastrichtenaar. Of je hier nou geboren bent of niet. Ik maak soms wel de grap dat je alleen een ‘sjeng’ bent als je hier geboren bent, maar een Maastrichtenaar is iedereen die hier woont. Ik ben wel trots op mijn stad, n

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about – Oscar Wilde.  Hello! Welcome to our second issue of Loosely Talking, where we reflect on our lives between the cobblestones.  In case you haven't noticed, it’s almost mid March. From the third year onward, many “adult” deadlines start approaching, from planning trips for next year to applying for master’s programs and internships. All stress related events that all have one thing in common. By this point

Sculpture by Jean-Baptiste Goy, late 17th century, marble. Cleopatra, dying yet standing. December 2025 found me at the Arab World Institute  in Paris, beholding  the Mystery of Cleopatra , running from June 2025 to January 2026.   The exhibition was quite lengthy, beginning with a series of artifacts related to Egyptian mythology and historical foundations, an enumeration that appeared endless to me. Nonetheless, with the world of Cleopatra  open to me, I encountered numerou

Numerous places are not only charted on maps but also serve as geopolitical hotspots in the markets, among them: the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow maritime passage has had a recent, significant influence on multiple economies, following the American and Israeli strikes against Iran and the regional reprisals that ensued. This narrow strip of water is more than just a logistical corridor; it is the artery of global liquid oil consumption.  Where is this strait located? Why is

Maastricht kent, net als vele gemeenten, een breed scala aan lokale partijen. Een daarvan is de Senioren(Stads)Partij, met een naam die weinig aan de verbeelding overlaat omtrent haar publiek. Waar de loyaliteiten van deze partij daadwerkelijk liggen, hebben we met Harry Mevissen, gemeenteraadslid voor de SSP, besproken.  De SeniorenStadsPartij & U Maastricht Diplomat (MD): Waarom bent u de politiek ingegaan?  Harry Mevissen (HM): Lange tijd was ik werkzaam als vrijwilliger b

Vote!   Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     In this episode, learn more about the Senioren(Stads)Partij (Senior(City)Party) with Harry Mevissen. Maastricht, like many other Dutch municipalitie

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about. – Oscar Wilde.  Hello! Welcome to our first issue of Loosely Talking, where we reflect on our lives between the cobblestones.  As this is the first edition, an introduction is essential. This column within the Maastricht Diplomat is here to bring more whimsy to the journal and talk about our student lives in relation to our environment. The ‘Loosely Talking’ column is written by Celia Kervyn and Ella Leff

Vote!  Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!     Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.     We are already on our sixth episode! Check out the previous ones on our website. Today, we discuss the program of the Christian Democrat party (CDA)

LIVE updates ended on 27th of February at 12:57pm 26TH FEBRUARY: FOREIGN AFFAIRS PARLIAMENT On February 26th, for the first Foreign Affairs Parliament session, scheduled from 10:00-12:00, the topic for debate was the amendments proposed to Article 2 and 3. At this time, no new amendments to Article 2 could be proposed.  At 10:05, an internal interpreter check was conducted while the session waits for its remaining MEP’s to arrive. Shortly after at 10:10, the chairs declared d

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!   Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.   In this fifth episode of "Visions for Maastricht", we explore the programme of D66, with Marlou Jenneskens. On this rainy Friday morning, we met Marlou Je

For over six decades, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has served as the undisputed high altar of international security, a " Davos of Defense " where the West has traditionally gathered to define itself. Since its founding in 1963 by Ewald-Heinrich von Kleist as  " Wehrkunde " ,  it has evolved from an intimate, smoke-filled transatlantic family meeting during the Cold War into the world’s most consequential independent forum for strategic debate. However, between Friday

Take me to church through February’s piercing breeze  under the lunar light trembling body  trembling heart. Sea moss stones buried in raven sea under the decision’s pressure longed for reunion its sweet warmth.

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  Meet Floris Soeren, candidate in the 5th position on the list of the Labour Party ‘Partij van de Arbeid’ (PvdA).  The red, yellow, and green decorations at

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th!   Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.   In this third episode, we explore the programme of GroenLinks with Anne Lucas. On this cold Friday afternoon, a warm drink at Paulus was highly appreciate

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  For our second episode, we introduce Muun Ubbink, candidate for the Socialist Party. [Author’s note: Our first article was in a “written format”. However,

Vote! Are you a European citizen, and are you registered in the municipality of Maastricht? Then, good news! You can vote in the upcoming local elections on March 18th !  Our local coverage team invited candidates for interviews, and it aims to give keys to students to make their choice, without any editorial endorsement.  Today, we start with Jules Ortjens, who is running for Volt.  Made in Europe  It was not difficult to convince Jules Ortjens, Fractievoorzitter (party lead

Image note: The teal butterfly symbolizes gynaecological cancer awareness and holds a deep, personal meaning to my family.  I lost someone very close and important to me. She was my second mother, someone I could run to and confide in, judgment-free. My aunt passed away at the end of February 2025 after a two-year battle with cervical cancer. What started as menstrual pain and bleeding slowly turned into something more serious. She spent her final years in and out of chemothe

The team of Place to Stay did a great job in transforming Griendgarage - the industrial space - into a comfy and welcoming movie room. From the cozy sofas and carpets to the hot chocolate and mulled wine stand, one could notice that the organizers put a lot of thought and intention into the details. All combined, they managed to create a pleasantly silent and respectful atmosphere, turning the grey hangar into a true place to stay! The organizers providing mulled wine and hot

A wish finally granted in January: Bulgaria enters the euro era Since this summer, Bulgarians have been preparing for the switch to the Euro from the Bulgarian Lev. Everywhere in shops, prices have been displayed in both currencies. However, the Bulgarian political system remains fragile. In four years, the country has held seven elections, which has considerably destabilized the domestic political situation. Some fear that this instability will worsen with the adoption of th