Europe

It's not just about money. We can be the innovative and cultural magnet of the world. That is the strength of democratic and open societies.

The EU still has strong rules for the major digital platforms. However, under Donald Trump and his allies – above all powerful tech CEOs such as Musk and Zuckerberg – the USA is becoming an open opponent of these regulations. 

The war in Europe, the worsening climate crisis, the pressure on liberal democracies and Europe's unresolved position in the global power structure – the European Union is facing historic challenges. ▶ Learn more.

Five years after the European Green Deal was launched, Europe's economic strength and security are at stake. What lies ahead for the German and European economy? A conversation with Sandra Parthie and Roderick Kefferpütz.

The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence hinders Georgian accession to the EU and has drawn massive protests by Georgian society. In this context we asked three questions to Dr. Sonja Schiffers, Director of our South Caucasus office in Tbilisi, on how she views the latest developments.

The European elections are not only relevant to EU citizens. Other countries around the world are also watching with great interest to see what happens in June of this year. Five experts from Argentina, India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the US present their view of the EU and their recommendations.

Young Europeans undergo a year of training in campaigning. Their guiding question in this project: How to dismantle widespread racist attitudes prevalent in Europe?

In 2024, some EU countries will also allow minors to vote in the European elections. Six statements from under-18s and adult first-time voters from six countries show: The EU must do more to reach young people.

The objective of reforming the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is to control what is called irregular migration. In particular, expanding the number of countries that are considered “safe third countries” and border procedures such as the “fiction of non-entry” are a threat to fundamental asylum rights.

A conversation with the Polish director Agnieszka Holland about the campaign against her film "Green Border," which deals with pushbacks at the Polish-Belarusian border, as well as about courage and empathy and why both give her a little hope.

Russia’s war of aggression has rallied the countries of the European Union in unexpected unity. At the same time, it has exposed blatant deficiencies in European foreign and security policy and Europe’s defense capabilities. 

By passing a comprehensive support package for Ukraine, the EU has demonstrated its willingness to be an active geopolitical player. To fulfil this role, it must strengthen its defense industry, build its troops, and make them ready for action.

Hannes Lorenzen on the causes of farmer protests, EU's lack of planning and wrong decisions, and why a thorough restart of the Common Agricultural Policy is inevitable.

It’s not radical climate activists we need to worry about. The real threat is the lack of solidarity, panic, and ignorance among “mainstream” society.

Five years ago, the European Commission presented its new sustainability and growth strategy, the European Green Deal (EGD), the goal of which was to drive the transition to a competitive and sustainable economy and become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The foundations have been laid, but what are the next steps?

Demographic change, environmental crises, and social fragmentation – given all these challenges, generous social policy cannot be the sole solution for a European social model for the future. Rather, it must be a new form of “solidarity-based adaptation,” by which all citizens take responsibility and proactively drive change.

A conversation with Timothy Garton Ash about shattered illusions, the war in Ukraine, setbacks in democracy development, and the fight for freedom.

On May 1, 2004, celebrations took place in many Central and Eastern European capitals. There was great euphoria and joy at finally becoming members of the European family, which expanded from 15 to 25 members. How does the region look back on the past two decades? What can be learned from these experiences for future accession processes?

Polish citizens sent a clear signal against illiberal tendencies in their country with the election in October 2023. Learn more about the challenges of the new government and how Poland now constructively engages at the EU negotiation table.