Issue No. 51 – On-line Journal Modelling the New Europe

2026 Issue No. 51 / September

1. Bohdan YUSKIV, PhD, Nataliia KARPCHUK, PhD THE TRIAD OF EMOTIONS (FEAR, ANGER AND TRUST) AS A STRATEGIC TOOL IN PRO-RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION IN POLAND

Abstract

Disinformation campaigns in Europe increasingly use emotional appeals as a weapon of hybrid warfare. Yet, the role of such emotional configurations within disinformation narratives remains conceptually underestimated. This limits political institutions’ ability to effectively counter their influence. Most previous research catalogued individual emotions, overlooking their interaction and strategic integration into the cognitive-emotional field. To address this gap, we conducted a network analysis of 745 Englishlanguage summaries of pro-Russian disinformation messages written in Polish, from the EUvsDisinfo database (2016–2023). This approach enabled us not only to identify dominant emotions but also to trace their interconnections and functional roles within the structure of disinformation discourse. The results show that fear, anger, and trust form the triad of emotions. This triad creates a semantic bridge between various thematic clusters (security, political leadership, diplomacy). Contrary to traditional perceptions of trust as a “positive counterbalance”, it functions as a catalyst for manipulation, legitimizing negative narratives. Temporal analysis revealed that peaks in the triad’s use coincide with political crises, revealing its opportunistic adaptation to national vulnerabilities.
This study introduces the concept of the cognitive-emotional field as a new tool to analyze hybrid information strategies. It changes the understanding of emotions in disinformation viewing them as an integrated architecture of influence rather than isolated appeals. For scholars, this enables comparative research across different countries. For practitioners, it offers a basis for counter-strategies focused on emotional patterns, not just on fact-checking.

Keywords: disinformation; hybrid warfare; EUvsDisinfo; sentiment network analysis.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.01

2. Sophie LAMOUROUX, PhD THE NEW INSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL (DIS)BALANCES RESULTING FROM THE DISSOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON JUNE 9, 2024

Abstract

Since the dissolution of 9 June 2024, France’s political and legal system has undergone a new configuration. On the one hand, the tripolarisation of the National Assembly and the establishment of two minority governments are encouraging a permanent search for balance and maintaining a political disorder that has already been present in the Assembly since the reelection of Emmanuel Macron. But, on the other hand, the constitutional means available to the institutions are fully operational. However, within the executive dyarchy they reveal the obvious weakening of the President of the Republic and the predominance of the Prime Minister, who is a full player in a monist parliamentary system.

Keywords: Constitution; France; Fifth Republic; dissolution; motion of censure; President of the Republic; Prime Minister; National Assembly.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.02

3. Kristína KRÁLIKOVÁ, PhD, Adam ASTER, PhD EXECUTION OF SENTENCES FOR CONVICTED WOMEN – MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SLOVAKIA, CZECHIA AND ITALY

Abstract

The topicality of the choice of the article is proven by the annual increase in the number of imprisoned women in the world, which is especially highlighted by international organizations dealing with the protection of human rights. They point out the identified reasons for this increase and at the same time address the existing conditions provided by the state to imprisoned women. In general, one of the biggest problems is that prisons often do not provide the appropriate conditions required by gender diversity or specificity. And consequently, they often do not meet specific requirements at all for a very sensitive group of prisoners, namely imprisoned women – mothers. The aim of this article is to expand the knowledge base on the issue of imprisoned women – mothers, based on a comparison and to examine the solutions to this issue in the conditions of selected countries. The authors analyse and compare the conditions and legislation in three different European Union states: The Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and the Italian Republic. The conclusions are based on the obtained results of a comparative study, the processing of which helped to reveal differences in the implementation of the addressed issue in the environment of selected countries. Finally, the authors consider de lege ferenda possible solutions in the Slovak Republic.

Keywords: execution of sentence; convicted woman – mother; imprisonment; prison.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.03

4. Mykola BUCHYN, PhD THE PROBLEM OF ENSURING DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN UKRAINE IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The article analyzes the problem of holding elections in Ukraine in terms of the Russian-Ukrainian war in the context of the observance of democratic principles of elections. The author emphasizes the importance of holding democratic elections in Ukraine as a condition for building democracy, joining the EU, and forming a positive image of Ukraine in the international arena. Using general scientific, logical and empirical methods, the author investigates the main problems that will violate the democratic principles of elections in the context of elections in Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian war. It has been proven that holding elections in Ukraine under Russian aggression will violate the following principles of democratic elections: the principle of universal suffrage (will deprive a large number of citizens abroad of their voting rights; will make it impossible for military personnel to exercise their passive voting rights; will lead to an extremely low voter turnout due to security threats); the principle of equal elections (will put opposition political parties and opposition candidates in unequal conditions compared to pro-government candidates and political parties; will lead to a disproportion in the representation of different electoral districts in parliament); the principle of free elections (will make it impossible for candidates and political parties to freely conduct their election campaigns under martial law; will limit the possibilities for the free expression of voters’ will), etc. The main potential mechanisms for resolving problems that impede the observance of democratic principles of elections in the conditions of the Russian-Ukrainian war are analyzed, and their low effectiveness is shown. The impossibility of holding democratic elections in Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian war is emphasized. The expediency of holding post-war elections in Ukraine and the need to apply systemic mechanisms to resolve problems that impede the holding of democratic elections, a significant part of which will remain relevant after the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war, are emphasized.

Keywords: elections; democracy; democratic principles of elections; electoral rights; Ukraine.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.04

5. Iza BUKIA, PhD ESTONIAN MODEL OF PROFIT TAX – PERSPECTIVES ON THE EXAMPLE OF ESTONIA, GEORGIA AND POLAND

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to study and analyze the results of the reform – the introduction of the Estonian model of profit tax, carried out in the direction of tax policy, both from a theoretical and a fiscal point of view (example of Estonia, Georgia and Poland). Based on the review of the legislative framework of the reform, the results of the fiscal and entrepreneurs survey are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The target audience is entrepreneurs who pay profit tax. Both the legislative review and the fiscal results analyzed on the example of Estonia, Georgia and Poland have shown a potential association between two events – that this reform has a positive result only in the long term (as the income from the profit tax increases several times). And, in the short term, it can cause a budget deficit (which is manifested in the fact that the income from the profit tax in the budget decreases) for a country with a large share of profit tax in its budget. Despite the review of the legislative framework of these countries, the research and literature on this topic is limited, which would allow us to analyze this reform from different perspectives. The said research is to some extent an indicator for the institutions implementing the reform, how appropriate it is to carry out the said reform in their countries (taking into account the compliance with the existing legislation). This study offers valuable information to policymakers in this area.

Keywords: Estonian model of profit tax; Entrepreneurship; Tax policy; Estonia; Georgia; Poland.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.05

6. Blendi LAMI, PhD, Pellumb HIDRI, PhD candidate, Kristaq XHARO, PhD CIVIL SMART DEFENSE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: TOWARD A REGIONAL MODEL OF DISASTER RESILIENCE

Abstract

Political leadership remains a key factor in social transformations associated with the transition of newly independent states to democracy and the formation of sustainable state institutions. In both processes, the legitimacy of the government, which initiates transformations and directs national development, is of great importance.
For Weber, the legitimacy of government is ensured in three ways: traditional, rational-legal, or charismatic. Charismatic leadership is one of the most common ways of overcoming the difficulties of the transition period in new states. Its feature is a high degree of trust in the head of state or other national leader due to belief in his extraordinary abilities and unique mission.The theory of political charisma had been developed during the 1960s-1990s, mainly in the framework of the functional approach. This approach determined the main criteria of charismatic leadership, the conditions for its emergence, and the evolution of charisma in its routinization. The extent to which external factors condition charisma remains quite debatable. Since most studies concern a charismatic leader’s personality and psychological and behavioral characteristics, the problem of public demand for charisma remains insufficiently revealed. This study aims to provide empirical arguments to answer the question of what is primary, the demand for charisma or its offer. Professional sociologists from “SOCIS” group (Kyiv, Ukraine) studied the perception of Ukrainian society of images of leading politicians (presidents and presidential candidates) according to the criteria of compliance with the charismatic type of leadership. The main conclusion from the study is that under certain conditions, society endows all possible virtues of a leader entrusted with the function of charismatic leadership. This high assessment of the leader’s characteristics and trust in his good intentions (mission) is irrational due to the need to solve this community’s fundamental tasks.

Keywords: Western Balkans; smart defense; disaster management; cross-border cooperation; EU Civil Protection Mechanism; institutional resilience.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.06

7. Oleksandr ORLOV, PhD, Oleksandr RADCHENKO, PhD, Dmytro DZVINCHUK, PhD TRANSFORMATIONAL PUBLIC GOVERNANCE FOR UKRAINE’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK, SCENARIO-BASED FORECASTING AND STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES

Abstract

Ukraine’s recovery requires not only large-scale reconstruction financing but also governance arrangements capable of converting resources into resilient, inclusive and productivity-enhancing transformation. This article develops a conceptual framework of transformational public governance for Ukraine by integrating four mutually reinforcing dimensions: multi-level decentralisation and institutional modernisation, integrated digital transformation, public-private co-operation and investment mobilisation,
and inclusive and accountable institutions. The study combines institutional and comparative analysis with an exploratory scenariobased forecasting exercise using macroeconomic panel data for Ukraine and selected European countries. The quantitative component employs OLS and Random Forest models based primarily on investment and inflation variables. Governance-related variables considered in the initial specifications were excluded because of severe multicollinearity and model instability; accordingly, the forecasting results are not interpreted as estimates of the causal effect of governance reforms on GDP growth. Backtesting instead reveals substantial forecast error for Ukraine under wartime conditions, demonstrating the limits of conventional models in the presence of structural breaks. The article’s principal contribution is therefore conceptual and policy-oriented: it separates governance-capacity indicators from economic recovery outcomes, links institutional transformation to a phased implementation architecture, and shows how scenario analysis can inform policy without overstating causal inference. The framework positions governance quality as an enabling condition for reconstruction effectiveness, investment absorption, institutional resilience and long-term convergence with the European Union.

Keywords: transformational public governance; economic recovery; institutional transformation; scenario-based forecasting; European integration.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.07

8. Nicoleta Annemarie MUNTEANU, PhD TACKLING AI-GENERATED DISINFORMATION AND REGULATORY RESPONSES: EU–USA COMPARATIVE INSIGHTS

Abstract

The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has intensified concerns regarding the proliferation of disinformation, with significant implications for democratic processes, public trust, and international security. This article examines regulatory approaches to AI-generated disinformation in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA), highlighting both convergences and divergences in policy frameworks, institutional responses, and normative orientations. Our research is contingent upon temporal proximity, with the data employed being dated November 2025. While the EU has pursued a proactive, rules-based strategy, most notably through the Digital Services Act and the AI Act, the United States has relied on a more decentralized, sectoral, and market-driven model, emphasizing innovation and self-regulation. By conducting a comparative analysis, the article identifies key strengths and limitations of each approach, particularly in balancing freedom of expression with the need to mitigate harmful content. Furthermore, it explores the extent to which transatlantic cooperation can foster more coherent responses to the global challenges posed by AI-driven disinformation. The findings suggest that although contextual differences
shape regulatory choices, mutual learning and coordinated governance mechanisms are essential to effectively address this evolving phenomenon. Ultimately, the study underscores the importance of harmonizing ethical, legal, and technological strategies to safeguard democratic resilience in the digital age.

Keywords: European Union; AI-generated disinformation; regulatory frameworks; the United States of America; First Amendment.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.08

9. Kamil ŁAWNICZAK, PhD THE PRACTICE OF CONSENSUS IN THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL: INCOMPETENT PERFORMANCE, FAILED CONSENSUS-SEEKING, AND THE ROLE OF QUALIFIED MAJORITY VOTING

Abstract

Keywords: culture of consensus; decision-making; discourse; practice turn; qualified majority voting; social practice.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.09

10. Simona Andra HERCZEG, PhD STATE-MODULATED PRECARITY OF THE INDEPENDENT CULTURAL SECTOR. THE CONDITION OF ROMANIAN CULTURAL WORKERS

Abstract

The article discusses the concept of precarity of cultural workers who are active outside public institutions (also called independent cultural workers), through an in-depth analysis of the Romanian case. The condition of the Romanian cultural workers is defined by a structural dependency on the state, despite the existence of specific regulations, partly modeled by the European framework on the status of the artist. This dependency on state funding results in what this study terms state-modulated precarity (a condition in which cultural workers are encouraged to operate as cultural entrepreneurs while remaining dependent on seasonal public funding and insufficient regulatory and social protection mechanisms). The article also examines the mechanisms of public funding for the independent cultural sector, highlighting how bureaucratic and financial instruments can reproduce instability, as opposed to the rhetoric that promotes autonomy and creativity. The article equally situates the Romanian context within the broader European dynamics, indicating the specificities of a certain type of precarity, strongly linked to institutional and funding arrangements. The study argues that, far from being an unintended consequence, precarity is structurally embedded in cultural governance and reproduced through the mechanisms by which public support is allocated and administered.

Keywords: culture of consensus; decision-making; discourse; practice turn; qualified majority voting; social practice.
DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2026.51.10