Rosie Birchard
@RosieBirchard
Followers
4,556
Following
2,337
Media
1,187
Statuses
7,224
Scottish freelance journalist in Brussels, mainly covering EU politics for @DWNews 📺 Past reporting: @CBCNews , @SABCNews , @ChannelNewsAsia , @Newshour , @GMB .
Brussels, Belgium
Joined May 2010
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
#Eurovision2024
• 1443880 Tweets
América
• 499930 Tweets
#母の日
• 178533 Tweets
#MothersDay
• 79192 Tweets
ヴィクトリアマイル
• 69792 Tweets
ストフェス
• 34224 Tweets
Pachuca
• 33408 Tweets
Tatum
• 32866 Tweets
Barco
• 31953 Tweets
カーネーション
• 31647 Tweets
Chivas
• 29422 Tweets
Newwiee Honey Teerak🩷
• 27193 Tweets
Roger Corman
• 24228 Tweets
Saint MSG Insan
• 24216 Tweets
Igor
• 24081 Tweets
カグヤ様
• 20636 Tweets
ティアキン
• 16434 Tweets
Garland
• 16287 Tweets
ナミュール
• 15785 Tweets
Buckley
• 11944 Tweets
Derrick Lewis
• 11770 Tweets
Toluca
• 11740 Tweets
Hannibal Lecter
• 10997 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
2024 is the biggest electoral year in history. I looked at some of the most consequential votes & what they mean for democracy, featuring: 🇮🇳
@AmritaCheemaTV
🇿🇦
@DianneHawker
🇲🇽
@javierarguedas
🇪🇺
@AlexandravonNah
🇺🇸
@inespohl
🌎
@rbsw
Full 35-minute DW report:
3
18
49
Update: EU's Borrell on US+Israel:
"If you believe too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide less arms"
"Everybody goes to Tel Aviv begging"
"Netanyahu doesn't listen to anyone. They're going to evacuate. Where? To the moon?"
"Stop saying please & do something!"
284
5K
11K
Olaf Scholz (future 🇩🇪 chancellor hopeful), asked if Germany will help the UK out of its HGV driver crisis:
“The free movement of labour is part of the EU and we worked very hard to convince the British not to leave the union.”
45
245
931
Belgian things: State Secretary explains that in order to move forward with the renovation of the Palais de Justice (under scaffolding for 40 years) the *scaffolding itself* has to be renovated. “C’est assez délirant,” he acknowledges!
16
102
564
Borrell, nearing the end of his EU foreign policy chief mandate, seems less concerned about striking a diplomatic tone. This will be seen as far too one-sided by some, including within the EU. Others will praise him.
21
43
441
If you’re going to start a diplomatic incident, be sure to do it in an outfit like this 💅 EU top diplomat Borrell here saying Israel has helped finance Hamas in a bid to weaken the Palestinian Authority.
18
43
253
Happy St. Andrew’s Day 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴 Piper outside Scotland House in Brussels!
5
43
241
To be clear, this can really only be read as Borrell’s position. Such messaging would never get backing from all EU leaders. Some background on the divisions + Israeli perspective in my recent reporting:
14
46
212
🇧🇪 Belgium’s gender pay gap (4%) is the lowest in the OECD.
US = 17%, UK = 14%, Germany = 14%
2
60
167
Some personal news: after a whirlwind year reporting for broadcasters around the world with
@FeatureStory
, Friday was my last day as Brussels correspondent. So grateful to wonderful editors and colleagues far and wide who taught me so much!
9
2
152
Saw many comments about Brussels never hosting so many leaders at once with the G7, NATO & EU summits all in one day (feat. Biden in town). Did we forget that just last month some *40* African heads of state & government were here alongside all 27 EU leaders for the EU-AU summit?
4
23
144
Good morning from the keeno first journalist at the EU Council press room this morning. The early bird catches the totally empty & dark backdrop for an 8am live 😂
6
3
122
Hope you’re all enjoying the lovely Belgian summer like me!
9
4
116
And while you’re here: my 30-minute feature previewing some of the most pivotal elections of 2024 in Asia, Africa, Europe & the Americas + what they mean for democracy is streaming now on DW News:
6
31
111
NATO defence ministers are in Brussels for talks on the alliance’s response to the conflict in Ukraine. I’m live from NATO HQ.
9
25
103
Raised eyebrows in Commission press room as it’s revealed the person who signed off conflict of interest checks on the Director General for transport accepting free Qatar Airways flights while Brussels & Doha were negotiating an air agreement was the *Director General himself*!
2
31
107
How does disinformation spread in Europe and who's responsible? I sat down with
@LutzGuellner
, who leads the EU team tasked with monitoring and countering foreign information manipulation. Our DW interview:
6
30
101
Merry Christmas from your pals who try to turn every evening into a singalong!! May your days be merry & bright and may you also have a bff who’s always there for you and is a music teacher who can’t resist a festive duet if you find some sheet music online after work! 🎄🎊👯
12
10
101
Etterbeek commune using ferrets to get rid of rats, described as an “innovative technique”. Sure, but you wonder if it might also help to try an innovative system which DOESN’T include everyone piling up stinky rubbish bags all over street twice a week 💡
4
14
98
Website contact forms are where journalistic interview requests (and dreams) go to die!!
2
3
97
15 European countries including Germany & the UK have signed a letter of intent to jointly procure air defence equipment & missiles. The idea is to "create a European air and missile defence system." Ukraine has been calling out for more air defence support amid Russian attacks.
5
22
88
The EU has a warning for Elon Musk:
"Be it cars or social media, any company operating in Europe needs to comply with our rules," says Commissioner Breton.
"Mr Musk ... is familiar with European rules on automotive, and will quickly adapt to the Digital Services Act."
5
30
85
Police use water canons to disperse revellers at Bois de la Cambre in Brussels. They keep running back even after several blasts. Crowds chant “Vive la fête.”
12
49
80
There’s only one country featured in Brussels’ “mini Europe” amusement park that’s never been an EU member: Ukraine. After the full scale invasion last year, Kyiv made a special request. The display now includes a mini Zelensky handing over application docs to mini von der Leyen.
3
21
88
🇫🇷 Macron is a no-show at today’s first-ever EU-ASEAN summit. He’s heading to Qatar for France’s football match instead. Eight ASEAN leaders (plus one FM) travelled here from Southeast Asia for today’s talks.
6
28
88
When you find irn bru in a Brussels bar after work!! 🧡🏴
5
1
80
Moldovan Foreign Minister
@NicuPopescu
told me the EU should sanction "corrupt oligarchs who have escaped Moldova, who have stolen a lot of money and who are working shoulder to shoulder with Russia to destabilize the country." Produced by
@MartaSVigano
.
3
21
76
A day in the agency life!!🎥 Today from Brussels I've covered:
- ILO modern slavery report
- Myanmar discussion at UN Human Rights Council
- Swedish elections
- IAEA Zaporizhzhia presser
- EU energy plans
- Cost of living crisis
- Brussels 2016 terror attacks trial opening
1
2
72
Got to give credit to Brussels city for shutting down the Louise traffic tunnel on Easter Sunday so a big music festival can be held inside! And even better when I arrived the DJ was playing this song by my brother
@hudmo
!! 💥
2
4
73
Le Soir’s headline picture in their “The most beautiful photos of the snow in Belgium” article is giving me serious
@uglybelgianhous
vibes
5
3
72
#HijabisFightBack
: This doctor almost failed her degree when a hospital demanded she remove a medical hair covering (see below) during intensive care shifts.
White doctors could wear it but when she did, it was seen as religious and “made patients uncomfortable” - she was told.
3
40
65
EU response after Russian security council no.2 Medvedev signals Moscow may try to take Kyiv & calls Odesa a "Russian city":
Spokesperson Peter Stano suggests Medvedev is "desperately seeking attention" & showing his "mental state"; says EU "can just recommend some counselling"
6
21
69
Brussels streets filled with anti-war demonstrators waving Ukrainian flags as far as the eye can see in both directions. Chants of “stop Putin,” “Cut Russian gas!” and, “Close the sky now!”
9
22
66
Inflation, elections, an energy crisis, strikes, sanctions, refugee reception, heatwaves, summits & huge geopolitical shifts as war returned to the continent with fallout felt far and wide— what a year for Europe. Some of my moments reporting on 2022 as a new year begins⏩️
2
4
65
Ahead of foreign ministers meeting Monday, EU top diplomat Borrell publishes an opinion piece:
“I call on European navies to patrol the Taiwan Strait to show Europe’s commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area,” he says in
@leJDD
.
16
27
64
Call me a heartless capitalist but after years in Belgium where nothing is open on Sunday and you have to cram all chores into Saturday, I love that Glasgow shops are open with normal hours even on Easter Sunday so I can get things done— AND with nice customer service 😭💜
5
0
65
🇪🇺Borrell hints at possible punitive action against Israel re: Rafah:
"We are extraordinarily concerned...Let's see what's happening in the following hours. All foreign affairs ministers are following the situation but we have to do maybe something more than just express concern"
3
28
61
I'm staying in Brussels on the global news beat. From today I'm freelance and you can catch me reporting for
@DWnews
as part of their correspondent team here! 📺
7
0
59
Belgian journalistic life: Emailing the two press officers of an organisation (there's always one for French speakers & one for Flemish speakers); Automatic response from both in respective languages; Both out of office, both saying: please refer requests to the other one🤦♀️
5
3
59
EU climate chief Frans Timmermans insists fears that the energy crisis will derail Brussels' climate plans ahead of COP27 are "a big misunderstanding."
"The one conclusion we've drawn from the war is that we need to speed up our energy transition...Also for geostrategic reasons"
3
23
58
EU parliamentarians are set to declare that "Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy." MEPs will discuss and vote on a draft text next week, based on a report reviewing developments since Parliament activated Article 7.
3
22
57
Team Canada (defence minister, prime minister, foreign minister) here competing for the Best Power Walk entry at the NATO summit in Vilnius.
5
4
51
“I hope I will still be able to remember how many British prime ministers I’ve survived,” quips Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel. “I still believe that Brexit is an error.”
0
4
51
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond! Beautiful sunny day back home in Scotland
3
0
51
With a grin, Ukrainian Defence Minister Reznikov arrived at NATO and pulled out a pocket square depicting... fighter jets✈️ He's asked: where do you expect to get them? "The sky," he says. Then I ask: is that top of your wishlist today? Just a gesture in reply...
2
12
48
EU Justice Commissioner Reynders announces the international centre for the prosecution of the crime of aggression will be operational in The Hague as of *July*. It will gather evidence which could one day be used in tribunals, not yet established, over the invasion of Ukraine.
5
22
51
We’re in Larnaca, Cyprus, home of the new maritime aid corridor to Gaza. NGOs tell me their boat loaded with 200 tonnes of flour, rice+proteins like tinned tuna is ready to set sail on the 400km journey for the first-of-its-kind delivery. They’re awaiting final green light.
3
15
48
Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog
@iaeaorg
says the Iran Nuclear Deal is now "an empty shell."
"Nobody has declared it dead, but no obligation is being pursued, and...every limit that existed in the JCPOA has been violated several times," he says.
4
39
47
Some views from a magical (and very wintry) first visit to Vienna! 🇦🇹
1
1
48
In other (better) news, nightclubs in Belgium have reopened after months of closure. No need for masks or keeping distance, but a COVID safe ticket proving vaccination, recovery or testing status is mandatory. Lots of happy faces in Brussels last night.
5
6
48
Breaking: Extraordinary NATO summit called for 24 March at the alliance HQ in Brussels. Leaders of all 30 NATO allies, including Joe Biden, are therefore expected in person in the Belgian capital. On the same day, EU27 leaders will hold a separate summit here.
4
24
46
Reporting from Samarkand, Uzbekistan(!) 🇺🇿 as the leaders of Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, the Central Asian states & others meet for the SCO summit.
It’s President Xi’s first foreign trip since the pandemic; all eyes on his expected bilateral with Putin.
0
2
43
Critical raw materials legislation coming up calls for some rocks on camera of course!! 🪨This one contains lithium, used for electric car manufacturing and much more. Demand could jump fortyfold in the next couple of decades.
1
1
41
Scholz wondering how he ended up posing as Canadian PM, while Macron looks smug next door realising he got the right flag 🇫🇷
3
6
41
Crazy scenes in Brussels. My colleagues and I were tear gassed while interviewing this guy who tells us while might be the wrong way to go about things, everyone needs to communicate. Meanwhile a fire built by partygoers rages behind him...
1
24
36
May you never have to write an English article on a German keyboard
3
0
38
Joe Biden using my brother
@HudMo
’s song in this campaign video!!! Proud sister as always 💜
The last four years come down to the next 42 days. This is our moment — and if you vote, we’ll win.
Head to and get registered today.
#NationalVoterRegistrationDay
1K
5K
18K
2
1
39
Police using water cannon to extinguish fires as farmers protest outside a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels. Tractors line the streets.
4
19
38
WHO chief Dr. Tedros on Sudan: "Hospitals in Khartoum receiving injured civilians are reporting shortages of medical personnel & life saving medical supplies." He also cites "disturbing reports" of health facilities being looted or used for military purposes.
6
12
33
Brussels friends! On March 18th, come and see my orchestra play a Japanese saxophone concerto(!) and a Rachmaninov symphony. You might even spot me somewhere at the back fo the first violins 👀🎻
3
3
39
Dutch King Willem-Alexander has apologised for his country's role in slavery. Not just "deep regrets" à la Belgium or "personal sorrow" like Britain's King Charles. The Netherlands is spending millions on education about its colonial past, but some call for fuller reparations.
4
14
36
Back in Brussels, back at orchestra! Next concert in March 🎻
2
0
38
Twitter diplomacy: Russian embassy vs German embassy in South Africa 👀
1
6
36
Round of applause behind me as Zelensky arrives at the EU leaders' summit. First a standing ovation at the Parliament, then standing side-by-side with EU leaders for a "family photo." Now the talks begin. On Kyiv's wishlist: western fighter jets and a speedy path to EU accession.
1
5
36
@ Belgium why do you always insist on serving tea in a glass!!! So impractical!
4
0
36
"As we've lived through various promises... we still remember what was not done in the past."
ICYMI: After the
#EUAUSummit
, I spoke to 🇿🇦President
@CyrilRamaphosa
about the EU's €150B Africa-Europe investment package for
@SABCNews
. In full:
2
8
35
Xi-Putin talks: Putin acknowledged Beijing has "questions and concerns" about Ukraine -- a sign of friction in this "no limits" friendship. Xi told Putin China will work with Russia to "fulfil... responsibilities as major countries." Reporting from Samarkand to the world🇺🇿
2
4
34
New: Danes vote to drop decades-old opt-out from EU defence policy 🇩🇰
0
11
35
Little Italian fishing villages teetering on the top of cliffs over the Ligurian sea!! 🌊
3
1
34
The EU did not see the attempted coup in Niger coming. Foreign affairs chief Borrell was there just a few of weeks ago. A new military partnership mission was set up in Feb. For now officials can't confirm if it was involved in training people who went on to orchestrate the coup.
3
17
33
Filming at a charity community kitchen in Brussels today, where thousands of nutritious meals are prepared each week for people sleeping rough and those in need. But food and energy inflation is leaving big holes in their donor-funded budget. Report coming soon.
1
5
34
#HijabisFightBack
: This woman is a training to be a Dutch teacher.
But if she wants to get a job after her studies, she’ll have to take off her headscarf in the classroom.
2
15
31
Happy belated Halloween from our “Bridgerton” crew! 🎃 👑
3
0
34
BREAKING: EU Commission proposes 9th round of Russia sanctions:
- Export ban on drone engines to Russia AND Iran over supply allegations;
- 200 more individuals + entities blacklisted, plus more banks;
- 4 more Russian broadcasters banned from EU airwaves
0
9
32
Crowds of young people simply moved the party down the road after police fired water canons and tear gas at them.
#boisdelacambre
5
20
29
Joe Biden has been in Helsinki holding talks with Nordic leaders & welcoming NATO’s newest member, Finland. The last time a US president was there it was Donald Trump & he was meeting Vladimir Putin. How times have changed. Some of our preview, with
@Nicole_Froelich
&
@MKuefner
:
4
6
31
Here we are: the FSN team covering the French elections. Together, we brought the story from Paris to audiences all over — from New Zealand to Canada, India to Ireland, Singapore to South Africa and many more! And thanks to the real deal Parisians:
@cullennews
@ryanthmps
+ co!
2
5
30
One of the most disquieting things about life in Belgium: the top crisps flavours include “pickles” and “bolognaise” but salt & vinegar does not exist… 😐
7
0
32
Earlier this week I spoke to
@AlexStubb
about what NATO stands to gain from Finland joining the alliance. Full report for
@ChannelNewsAsia
:
0
6
29
"Very often promises are not kept," says African Union Commission Chairperson
@AUC_MoussaFaki
in Brussels on climate change.
He welcomes loss & damage developments at COP27 but says the "injustice" of past broken climate finance commitments "must be righted."
0
14
30
In a world first, Scotland made period products free to anyone who needs them last year by imposing a legal obligation on local authorities. Nowadays, you see this in public bathrooms in all sorts of locations like libraries, gyms, museums ❤️
1
6
29
The Taoiseach may change, but the unique Irish commitment to always having a colleague by the PM’s side at summit arrivals who serves as a mysterious visual character for TV journalists making reports does not!
2
1
31
Bombshell: Ramaphosa says his party wants South Africa to pull out of the ICC.
Speaking alongside Finnish President Niinistö, Ramaphosa cites allegations of "unfair treatment" by the court, says the matter will be "taken forward."
4
15
31
“I think he [Donald Trump] is a danger to the United States and to the free world, and 13 more days of this is not something we should risk”,
@RadekSikorski
, Chair of the EU Parliament Delegation for relations with the US, tells
@DWnews
.
2
11
28
Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, says he'll travel to Russia and then see Zelensky amid an "untenable situation" at the Zaporizhzhia power plant. His plan: establish a security protection zone at the facility.
1
16
30
Some of our reporting for DW from Paris, where more than 100,000 took to the streets to protest Macron's unpopular pension reforms. In some cases, labour day demos descended into clashes with police. Pollsters say the far right are scoring political points as resentment mounts.
3
6
31
"Not a single euro allocated to Africa will go to Ukraine," EU foreign affairs chief Borrell tells
@vchadw
amid fears that aid budgets are insufficient.
EU development ministers are meeting in Brussels -- but not all have shown up and there's no press conference.
0
11
31
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock just told us there's currently no legal basis for a terror listing of the IRGC after talks with EU counterparts. Ministers did however green-light a fifth round of targeted sanctions against those accused of rights abuses in Iran.
Happening now: Iranian diaspora gather in front of the European Commission headquarters and demand the designation of the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation.
19
54
240
12
10
28
Brussels friends: if you fancy some music and a leafy tram ride out the city, I’m playing lots of Gershwin tonight with my orchestra in Tervuren!
2
3
29
Lockdown violin on a Saturday 🎻 First time in so long I can play just for fun with (sadly) no concerts or gigs coming up. Silver linings...
2
1
30
The EU Commission is ramping up humanitarian aid for Gaza. We spoke to
@JanezLenarcic
as a plane full of supplies departed 🇧🇪. IFRC's
@jamielesueur
says the situation is "terrifying" & much more access is vital. The EU has called for "humanitarian pauses" but not a ceasefire.
7
12
29
My report for the
@NewsHour
: Poland’s strict abortion laws leave few safe options for women with unwanted pregnancies.
We spoke to people on all sides of the debate for this 8-minute piece. Full report here:
1
8
28
"The decision has been I think made, and agreed, and we support it, to add the names of Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov to the [EU] sanctions list in terms of asset freezes," says Irish FM
@SimonCoveney
in Brussels.
4
11
28
Paris streets full of protesters who tell me they’re furious with President Macron over pension reforms and the way the law was passed. Some clashes with police & objects set alight already, but demonstrators ask us to highlight that most are protesting peacefully.
2
3
29