Europe and Transatlantic

Notes on the current phase of electoral reform in Hungary

December 17, 2012 - After passing the Electoral Procedure Act, we are still far from knowing the final rules less than a year and a half ahead of the next parliamentary elections. However, the new electoral system turns out to be a measure of the governing party to increase its chances of winning the 2014 general election, while oppositional parties will be forced to organise their activist network and engage in a door-to-door campaign more effectively than before.  Róbert László more»

The Story of the "Hungarian Orange"

- November 23, 2012 - Berlin-based Hungarian artist Artúr van Balen has travelled to Hungary to join the opposition protests in Budapest on the 23rd of October. With the help of around 15 artists and activists van Balen created the "Hungarian Orange", a 5 meter long, 3.5 meter high inflatable lemon, which they brought to the protests. But not everyone was amused by the playful object. Artúr van Balen more»

Report

Conference: Europe’s Common Future

- November 7, 2012 - During the three years of Europe’s crisis many supposedly rock-solid certainties about the European Union have been shaken up. Today, even dedicated Europeans do have to admit that, in its present shape, the EU may be one of the casualties of the crisis. At our conference Europe’s Common Future such concerns about a possibly disastrous failure of the Eurozone were palpable.  Torsten Arndt more»

Opposition in Hungary: Left-of-centre Co-operation - the Risky Imperative?

- October 29, 2012 - As expected, the 56th anniversary of the hungarian revolution occasioned a symbolic battle between the Prime Minister and his left-of-centre opposition, with both sides seeking to present themselves as the true heirs of 1956. Whereas Orbán and Fidesz clearly won the battle of numbers, the show was stolen by Gordon Bajnai, the former Prime Minister. Kristóf Szombati more»

Germany's role in the crisis

- September 28, 2012 - Germany appears to have come into its leadership role in the crisis involuntarily. Nevertheless, it is time that Germany also acknowledges that the crisis can only be overcome together with solidarity and stability and a sustainable future foundation for the European Union.  Viola von Cramon more»

What Kind of Growth for Europe? Lessons from Greece

- September 26, 2012 - Using the example of Greece, Anna Visvizi illustrates what kind of growth European countries need. She points out, that the strategy of the EU can not only focus on promoting economic growth per se but must be aimed at the fundamental factors for a sustainable socio-economic growth. more»

The new Education Act – regulation and centralisation

- September 6, 2012 - A chain of rapid and unprecedented changes in Hungary’s Higher Education Act have been adopted and implemented recently by the government of Viktor Orbán. The changes share the intention of centralising power and establishing supreme control over all levels of education. Zsófia Deák more»
The Euro sculpture in front of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt

Germany is crucial for the future of Europe

- August 21, 2012 - Germany, as seen from the perspective of its neighbour Poland, is primarily the engine of the European integration. But at the same time, the German debate on European politics is viewed by the Poles both with some mistrust and the concern that the upcoming euroscepticism and populism signifies the end of Europe’s future.  Cezary Michalski more»

Democracy Needs Attention

- 8. August 2012 - Yet for several years Europe's academics and politicians have stressed the need for a European public as a basis for a vital European democracy - but how this public could be constituted remained unclear. The Europe-wide protests against ACTA showed: a European public has to emerge from above. Jan Philipp Albrecht mehr»

The EU – A Maze of Acronyms?

- August 7, 2012 - They play a key role in Europe's democratic processes but for a majority of the population they resemble a black box: the European political parties. To fulfill their importance public awareness should be strengthened and it has to become clear that European elections are about European parties, not purely national ones. Annalena Baerbock more»
Euro-Münzen

The Political Crisis: A Better Europe Starts at Home

- July 20, 2012 - As market reforms and budget consolidation meet increasing political constraints, it is perhaps not surprising that the call for “more Europe” has become louder. While such eagerness for the European project should be welcomed, in fact it is not genuine but rather motivated by the short-term interests of political classes.  Rainer Emschermann more»

The Final Countdown

- June 18, 2012 - Today, we have to remember that hundreds of thousands of Greek workers helped power the post-war German industrial renaissance. Today, millions of Germans are powering Greece’s only “heavy industry” – tourism. In view of the present crisis we will have to understand that the road ahead is a long one – but to jump off a cliff is not a viable shortcut. Dr. Nikos Chrysoloras more»
Solar energy power plant in southern Spain

A Green Europe to Solve the Euro Crisis

- June 15, 2012 - From the euro crisis to a long-term vision: In Southern Europe, there should be immediate investment in solar energy. This would show EU citizens in the north that solidarity can provide them with cheaper renewable energy and citizens in the south would experience that reforms do serve a more integrated, greener, and more just Europe.  Ferdi De Ville more»

Executive summary

Solidarity and strength: The Future of the European Union

- November 8, 2011 - Economic and environmental challenges that threaten to overwhelm the European project. The Heinrich Böll Foundation has set up a commission to examine the future of the EU. This publication puts forward a series of proposals in areas such as foreign and security; agricultural; energy; economics and monetary and enlargement policy. more»
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Conference Report

Ten Years After 9/11: Lessons Learned?

- July 14, 2011 - The attacks of 11 September 2001 represented a historic turning point of a scope comparable to that of the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. This year’s annual foreign policy conference took stock of the “war on terror” and formulated a vision for Afghanistan, the Middle East and global politics. Stefan Schaaf more»
David S. Hamilton

Report

Transatlantic 20/20: The US and Europe in an Interpolar World

- July 5, 2011 - Transatlantic 20/20: The US and Europe in an Interpolar World, held at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Berlin on June 16, brought together experts from think tanks, the media, and the foreign service to give their take on the scenarios and share how they think the future might unfold. Colin M. Adams more»

Europe’s New Divide

- February 16, 2011 - The European Union ushers in the new year amid the ruins of its foreign policy with regard to Eastern Europe. If the EU wants to be a strategic actor in Eastern Europe, it will have to offer credible accession perspectives to all countries wishing to be a part of democratic Europe.  more»
Medvedev and Erdoğan at diplomatic talks in front of their country flags

Examining the Turkish-Russian rapprochement

- February 1, 2011 - According to official announcements in Turkey, Turkish-Russian relations are at an all-time high. However, the validity of these claims is not easy to verify given the lack of transparency on both sides. As part of a series of events on Turkish foreign policy, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Turkey in co-operation with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Russia and Carnegie Centre Moscow try to review the situation.  Christian Eichenmüller more»
Portrait: Mario Telo

The Belgian Presidency of the European Union - An assessment

- January 27, 2011 - Did the Belgian Presidency of the European Union go beyond playing the honest broker and take on the role of providing the necessary driving force required by the EU with regard to internal and external developments? An assessment of Implementing the Treaty of Lisbon, Policies to overcome the crisis, the European Citizens’ Initiative and external relations. Mario Telo more»
Portrait: Mario Telo

The Belgian Presidency of the EU: Foreign Policy Priorities

- December 22, 2010 -
The Belgian Presidency of the EU is coming to its end. A review regarding European Foreign Policy covering the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, successes and failurees of international summits and noticeable progress at the European Council.
By Mario Telo more»
a chart with eleven entries

Green New Deal in Ukraine? The Energy Sector and modernizing a National Economy

- November 11, 2010 - To modernize its national economy, Ukraine must complete the already started vital reforms in its energy sector aimed at modernization and the development of unconventional and renewable sources of energy. To shift priorities of Ukraine’s energy policy towards Green New Deal principles, the European Neighborhood Policy can play a vital role. By Dmytro Naumenko more»

What Role for the US Government?

- Much of the public is deaf to the claims of President Obama that poverty and unemployment levels would be worse without the injection of stimulus money by his administration which provided tax relief and income support for millions of Americans. By Nancy Alexander more»

Money Can't Buy Love or Democracy

- Many Americans have long seen campaign finance laws as the best hope for restoring democracy in the US and were glad to hear President Obama's pledge to work with the Congress to overturn the Supreme Court decision. But the political tides are not moving in favor of democracy.  Money can't buy love or democracy. By Nancy Alexander more»

Reset, Reassurance and Mutual Recrimination: Obama, the EU and Europe’s East

- October 21, 2010 - On October 8, 2010, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung hosted a dinner discussion in cooperation with the Embassy of the United States and the Center for American Progress concerning the future of US policy towards Eastern Europe.  This discussion marked the end of a two day conference on the future of the EUs Eastern Neighbours. By Kristin Michalek more»
Red warning signs

How to stop Bosnia and Herzegovina from further deteriorating? Time for a new transatlantic initiative

- September 17, 2010 - In May 2010, the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation and the Democratization Policy Council organized a policy roundtable in Berlin: “How to stop Bosnia and Herzegovina from further deteriorating? Time for a new transatlantic initiative”. The expert meeting brought together policy makers and analysts from Europe and America, including representatives from international organizations in Bosnia, with their counterparts from Germany. By Kurt Bassuener and Bodo Weber more»
The Euro-Sign in front of ECB tower.

"Enfant terrible" of the Eurozone - Why did Slovakia refuse to bail out Greece?

- September 17, 2010 - Shortly after a new ruling coalition formed Slovakia’s new center-right government, a small shock wave rolled through Europe. First the Slovak government and then parliament voted to withhold Slovakia’s share of a European bailout loan for Greece’s embattled economy. Not that Slovakia’s minute share of the package would mean a lot for the eurozone – the decision’s importance lay in its symbolism and, therefore, in politics. By Juraj Mesík more»

Event Summary

“Making Transatlantic Relations Work in the Post-Lisbon Era"

- September 14, 2010 - This paper summarizes discussions held during a transatlantic workshop at the Brookings Institution on June 1. The purpose of the workshop was to analyze the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on critical security issues affecting the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the EU. The workshop focused on four topics: Russia; Iran; China and “AfPak”. A summary by Irina Angelescu more»

Summer School for Young People from Belarus

- From 4-18 July 2010 the Heinrich Böll Foundation hosted the second "Summer School for Young People from Belarus" in Berlin. Twelve young adults from Belarus had been selected to participate based on their demonstrated interest in politics and local community initiatives. more»

Development of socio-political situation in Belarus

- October 30, 2008 - Belarusian politics, society, economy, and foreign relations enter a new stage in post-Communist history. Yet the expected transition provides only dim prospects for democracy, more likely seems the return of another, kinder form of authoritarianism. By Vitali Silitski more»
Foto von Ralf Fücks

Transatlantic Convergence

- November 13, 2008 - With Barack Obama the USA will become both more american and more european. By entering into dialogue with its international partners, America will also expect them to shoulder more of the responsibility. This will not necessarily be comfortable for Europe. By Ralf Fücks more»

Commentary

The Parliamentary (Non)-Election in Belarus: A Look from the Inside

- October 16, 2008 - For the Belarusian opposition, the lesson of the parliamentary non-election should be straightforward: against the backdrop of irrelevant discussions, unnecessary divisions, and petty factionalism, its Western supporters will be forced to seek engagement with Minsk even if it will mean shifting from a bad policy to a worse one. By Vitali Silitski more»
Cover: © John McConnico

Policy Briefing and Key Recommendations

Expanding the EU’s Institutional Capacities in the Arctic Region

- November 18, 2008 - This Policy Briefing Paper aims to provide a concise background on the Arctic region offering a succinct analysis of the situation and a set of recommendations for the European Union. By Roderick Kefferpütz and Danila Bochkarev more»

Moving Out of the Doldrums?

- 12. März 2008 - Russia and the European Union are increasingly bound together – if not by common values, then by virtue of their interdependence. Beyond strong economic ties, both actors have a mutual interest in maintaining international stability and a secure neighbourhood. mehr»

Conference Report

A European Strategy for the Southern Caucasus

- November 25, 2008 - On November 6-7, 2008 South Caucasus Regional Office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation and Bertelsmann Foundation initiated a strategic cooperation dedicated to "A European Strategy for the Southern Caucasus". more»

The Next Big Project for the EU is Energy

- July 14, 2008 - The global energy system is undergoing a structural crisis. At its heart lies the need to restrain climatic change while at the same time dealing with energy security in an era of rapidly growing demand. By Michaele Schreyer and Ralf Fücks more»

Documentation

Quo Vadis EU III: At Europe’s frontier - has the EU reached its limit?

- May 8, 2008 - The uncertainty inherent in the motto for this conference, organised by the Heinrich Böll Foundation, was clearly shared by the participants on 25th April at the Berlin House of Representatives. At this conference on the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), researchers and EU politicians discussed why there has been so little progress towards its objective of creating a “circle of friendly nations”. By Thorsten Arndt more»
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