Spanish demands on the EU and the German EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background Europe and European politics do not currently play a central role in the social debate in Spain. This makes it all the more important for Europe to come up with clear proposals to overcome the crisis. By Susanne Rieger
The Controversy of Memories - 75 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe Published: 7 May 2020 Film "Different wars: National History Textbooks on the Second World War" - this was the title of a travelling exhibition by the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum. It toured 22 cities in the EU and Russia over the last four years. It showed how current textbooks for secondary schools depict the Second World War in Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic. The short film accompanying the exhibition will be released on 7 May.
Covid-19 pandemic shows how fragile the EU is Published: 6 May 2020 Commentary The new coronavirus is not only catapulting us out of our everyday lives, but dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic also shows us the EU's inability to act in times of crisis. Not only are people stranded at airports and railway stations, but in recent weeks the hope that Europe will pull together has also been stranded. By Eva van de Rakt and Florian Christl
Reforming the World Trade Organization Published: 17 January 2020 Background The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is a crucial institution for the governance of international trade. It has been characterized by frequent deadlocks in the past; current trade war dynamics further exacerbate the need for reforms. What are opportunities and challenges in the present debate? By Amrita Narlikar
Germany’s Partners in International Climate Policy Governance Published: 15 January 2020 Background Five years after the inception of the Paris Agreement, important processes begin. Also this year, Germany holds a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council as well as EU Council presidency. What are the challenges and opportunities for Germany regarding climate action? By Susanne Dröge
Of Engineers and Visionaries: Germany and France as Partners for Saving the Multilateral Order Published: 14 January 2020 Analysis Close coordination and smooth cooperation between Berlin and Paris is crucial for Europe and its foreign politics, particularly considering rising intricate geopolitical rivalries. Differences in style and approach must not impede cooperation on substance and common interests. By Ronja Scheler
Germany in Search of New Global Partners Published: 19 November 2019 Analysis The international rule-based order is under threat. The "Alliance for Multilateralism", initiated by the German and French Foreign ministers, aims to re-establish stability and reliability between nation states. What are its chances of success? By Dr. Ulrich Speck
“All we want is to work in partnership with our readers” Published: 9 January 2019 Interview Journalism is in a serious crisis. Nevertheless, alternative left-wing media are still out there in Europe, providing quality news and analysis with financial backing not from oligarchs or big business but from their readers. An exchange between the makers of merce.hu (Hungary), republik.ch (Switzerland), oko.press (Poland), and taz.de (Germany). By Krisztián Simon
European Structural Change: First Meeting of the Trilateral Group in Paris Published: 18 September 2018 On July 2nd and 3rd, the French-German-Polish Forum on European Structural Change convened in Paris.
The new German government must align the Energiewende with the European Union Published: 24 October 2017 Germany has been seen as a leader in renewable energy in the European Union, but there is still a long way to go. To revitalize both European and German energy transitions, Rebecca Bertram proposes three strategies for Germany’s new government to put in place at the EU level. By Rebecca Bertram
How the German parliamentary elections resonate in Slovakia Published: 20 October 2017 Analysis The domestic media in Slovakia discussed especially the policy of the future German government towards the EU and the US, as well as the success of the right-wing AfD in Germany. By Grigorij Mesežnikov
“A coalition is not a love match” – Interview with Ralf Fücks Published: 25 January 2017 Are the Greens compatible with Angela Merkel? An interview with Ralf Fücks, president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, on coalitions with Merkel, the rise of the AfD, as well as the foundation’s development over the past 20 years. By Ralf Fücks
G20 in Hamburg: Setting directions towards a democratic multilateralism Published: 18 December 2016 The G20 Hamburg Summit in July 2017 will be about nothing less than how globalization should be governed in the future. The G20 countries will have to respond to the key question of our times: How should a globalized world economy be coordinated for the benefit of all humanity against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, higher levels of inequality, climate change, refugees and migration? By Dr. Heike Löschmann
G20 and Trade Published: 9 December 2016 Trade has contributed to inequalities in many countries. Therefore the G20 should ensure that its trade agenda does not conflict with that of the WTO or the United Nations. Many processes need to be revised to reduce so inequalities can be reduced. By Motoko Aizawa
The Solar System of G20: Engagement Groups Published: 9 December 2016 Seven “Engagement Groups” circle around the G20 and attempt to influence its decisions. However, their relative power to influence outcomes differs greatly. By Nancy Alexander and Dr. Heike Löschmann
Commitments on Global Health Published: 9 December 2016 The Ebola crisis prooved, that the G20 aims to ensure infectious agents to not cross borders rather than acting in disease prevention. This is why there is a serious concern that public health needs of poorer countries will be ignored. By Marwin Meier and Birthe Redepenning
What in the World is the Group of Twenty (G20)? – Interactive Infographics and Comparative Maps Published: 30 November 2016 What in the world is the Group of Twenty (G20)? We have chosen eight indicators to present the most important economic, social, and environmental data and created seven maps and graphics that present this comparison visually and at a glance. By Dr. Heike Löschmann and Nora Rohde
Nord Stream II: Shaking hands with the devil Published: 26 August 2016 The gas pipeline Nord Stream II should double the existing natural gas transport capacity from Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea. Juraj Mesík explains why the Kremlin will be the biggest winner of this project. By Juraj Mesík
Egypt: End the illusions! Published: 13 June 2016 The German federal government sees Egypt as a state that can guarantee regional stability. But especially the support of the regime as-Sisi increases the instability in the region. It's time for a new approach to Egypt. By Barbara Unmüßig and Joachim Paul
The refugee crisis - Paris and Berlin view through different lenses Published: 26 May 2016 In France economic and social problems, terrorism and internal security are viewed as more important than the migrant crisis. Seeing the migrant flows as a result of conflicts in the Arab world they deal with the problem with military assistance. By Claire Demesmay