Italian expectations of the German EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background The disappointment in Italian society in relation to the EU at the beginning of the corona crisis has now changed to confidence. Now the expectations of financial solidarity are particularly directed towards the forthcoming German EU Presidency. By Christopher Hein
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
Ukraine: “Renewables must not be a business for few only!” Published: 22 January 2020 Interview Iryna Holovko, board member of the Center for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction”, talks with Robert Sperfeld about the issue of climate protection within Ukrainian society. By Robert Sperfeld
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
The Wrong Man in the Wrong Place Published: 9 October 2019 Analysis After the rejection of László Trócsányi, the first candidate of the illiberal Hungarian PM for the European Commission, the country’s acting ambassador to the EU, Olivér Várhelyi, was soon afterwards nominated by Viktor Orbán to the position. By Benedek Jávor
The EU’s role in the conflict between Iran and the USA: de-escalation! Published: 10 July 2019 Comment The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has appealed to the US and Iran to avoid escalation in the Persian Gulf region. The EU must continue to do everything within its power to save the nuclear deal. By Eva van de Rakt and Anna Schwarz
Our work in Europe Published: 4 June 2019 Europe Since the end of the East-West conflict in 1990, the shape of Europe has changed dramatically. The European Economic Community, which was founded in 1957 by six Member States, has become the European Union with currently 27 members. Europe, which had been divided by the Iron Curtain for decades, has grown completely new in its history.
Focused on the Far Right Published: 23 May 2019 Background In the run-up to the European elections, US President Donald Trump shows where his sympathies lie. By Dominik Tolksdorf
European election campaign in Poland: test run for autumn general elections Published: 20 May 2019 Background The figures speak for themselves: 15 years after joining the European community, 91 percent of Poles support EU membership, with only five percent against. According to 78 percent of those surveyed, the consequences are overwhelmingly positive. Moreover, 56 percent feel they are Europeans, an increase of around 13 percent compared to 2014. By Irene Hahn-Fuhr
„Die EU verliert langsam die Geduld mit chinesischen Hinhaltetaktiken“ Published: 2 May 2019 Interview The next EU-China summit will take place on 9 April. The head of our EU office, Eva van de Rakt, spoke to MEP Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA) about his expectations for the forthcoming talks and negotiations. By Eva van de Rakt
Not Getting Away With Murder Published: 2 November 2018 Commentary US Congress and the Trump administration are still wrangling over how to deal with Saudi Arabia in response to the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Europe should take a principled stance. By Dominik Tolksdorf
“A decision as important for Europe as it is for Hungary” – Benedek Jávor on the Sargentini Report Published: 20 September 2018 Interview On 12 September the European Parliament voted in favour of starting procedures against the Hungarian government for breaching European values. We asked Hungarian MEP Benedek Jávor how he evaluates the outcomes of the vote. By Benedek Jávor and Zsófia Deák
The Sargentini Report – Its background and what it means for Hungary and for the EU Published: 19 September 2018 On the 12th of September the European Parliament voted on the so called Sargentini Report, condemning the anti-democratic turn of Hungary and initiating the procedure related to Article 7 (1) of the Treaty on the European Union. Huge attention has been drawn to the continuous democratic erosion in Hungary. By Nóra Köves
Promoting Peace on the Korean Peninsula: Departure Points for Europe Published: 29 August 2018 Commentary The EU or its member states have ideal requisites for greater involvement in a necessary peace process between North and South Korea. By Bernt Berger
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
Orbán’s theatrical struggle against big, bad Berlin Published: 4 October 2017 Orbán tries to destroy Germany’s positive image in Central Eastern Europe, depicting Germany as the capital of the decadent, liberal, pro-immigration EU that is doomed to fail. Tolerating such a behaviour would be a huge long-term strategic mistake for Germany. By Edit Zgut, Bulcsú Hunyadi and Péter Krekó
'Economic valuation of nature strengthens the 'polluter pays' principle.' Published: 18 August 2017 Does the valuation of nature really mean that those who destroy nature are forced to pay for it?
The Energiewende as a European project Published: 24 May 2017 What options do German policymakers have when shaping the European Energiewende debate? The Heinrich Böll Foundation proposes a set of recommendations. By Rebecca Bertram