Op-ed: Bayrou’s fall exposes France’s need for a new political culture
12 Sep Member States
Op-ed: Bayrou’s fall exposes France’s need for a new political culture
As French President Emmanuel Macron appoints a fifth Prime Minister in two years, France is in dire need of political reform.
Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal
11 Sep EU Institutions
Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal
The Commission chief’s State of the Union defence of the pact she negotiated with Donald Trump drew fire from across the political spectrum. But the real battle is over whether the pro-EU majority will keep her second term afloat.
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
10 Sep EU Institutions
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
Poland’s downing of Russian drones shows how exposed Europe’s eastern flank remains. Von der Leyen has pledged a “drone wall.” Now Brussels must back words with action, argues Arthur de Liedekerke.
Op-ed: How the weaponisation of climate could threaten Europe
09 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Op-ed: How the weaponisation of climate could threaten Europe
Wildfires and heatwaves pose a new kind of security risk — one European countries are ill-prepared for, and can only tackle together.
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
09 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
The Paris summit signalled unity on paper, but questions over troops, frozen assets, and US backing show how fragile Europe’s promises remain.
Op-ed: Separating fiscal facts from fear is crucial to EU enlargement
08 Sep Member States
Op-ed: Separating fiscal facts from fear is crucial to EU enlargement
Brussels is pouring more money into enlargement, and handing far-right parties fresh ammunition to resist it.
Russia-China landmark pipeline deal tilts global energy politics
05 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Russia-China landmark pipeline deal tilts global energy politics
The freshly inked Power of Siberia 2 pipeline agreement between Moscow and Beijing could undercut EU sanctions and shift the global energy power balance.
Blackmail or realpolitik? Why the EU blinked on Big Tech
04 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Blackmail or realpolitik? Why the EU blinked on Big Tech
Brussels has delayed a Google fine after fresh US threats over EU tech rules. While the move has been widely denounced as capitulation, some analysts call it good strategy.
Q+A: Flag hopping lets Russia’s shadow fleet slip sanctions
03 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Q+A: Flag hopping lets Russia’s shadow fleet slip sanctions
An old maritime trick known as flag hopping is letting Russia’s “shadow fleet” duck EU sanctions. By switching identity, sanctioned ships can evade enforcement and keep oil money flowing to the Kremlin.
Op-ed: Why the Mercosur deal brings a geopolitical opportunity for the EU
03 Sep EU Institutions
Op-ed: Why the Mercosur deal brings a geopolitical opportunity for the EU
Concerns from Europe's farmers have held up the signing of an EU-Mercosur trade deal.
Von der Leyen's Eastern tour signals power shift in EU security
02 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Von der Leyen's Eastern tour signals power shift in EU security
The Commission president's whirlwind visit to Europe's eastern flank signals a pivot as once peripheral states become central to the EU's Russian defence strategy.
FIFA slips through Europe’s fingers as it cosies up to new teammates
01 Sep EU Institutions
FIFA slips through Europe’s fingers as it cosies up to new teammates
This summer’s Club World Cup put FIFA’s power front and centre for the world to see. As the governing body gets cosy with superpowers and autocrats, the EU could see its governance role diminished.
Op-ed: The EU must resist Trump’s attempts at digital domination
29 Aug EU Institutions
Op-ed: The EU must resist Trump’s attempts at digital domination
As the EU faces more foreign pressure from the US, it should stand strong and uphold its digital laws.
Op-ed: Central and Eastern Europe’s energy transition shows resilience in the face of geopolitical threats
28 Aug Member States
Op-ed: Central and Eastern Europe’s energy transition shows resilience in the face of geopolitical threats
Central and Eastern Europe present an opportunity for the EU to complete its Energy Union and ensure energy independence — if it dares.
Estonian citizens warned of spy games if they travel to Russia
27 Aug Member States
Estonian citizens warned of spy games if they travel to Russia
Residents of Estonia crossing into Russia might be coerced into spying against their country, the foreign ministry has warned. Recent cases show the FSB preying on travellers to build networks in European countries.
Disconnected growth: Poor rural connectivity threatens agricultural innovation in the EU
25 Aug Member States
Disconnected growth: Poor rural connectivity threatens agricultural innovation in the EU
Patchy broadband and limited 5G are holding back the adoption of new agricultural technologies across Europe’s rural regions.
Six things to take forward from this week’s Ukraine talks
22 Aug Foreign & Security Policy
Six things to take forward from this week’s Ukraine talks
‘NATO-like’ promises, Trump’s push for a Putin–Zelenskyy summit, and Europe’s show of unity — a week of hasty talks has set the stage for Ukraine’s next chapter.
US tariff relief offers mixed blessings to German car sector
21 Aug Member States
US tariff relief offers mixed blessings to German car sector
Decisions made decades ago will determine how hard each carmaker is hit.
Op-ed: Europe’s wine and spirits sector must be helped through the trade war
21 Aug Member States
Op-ed: Europe’s wine and spirits sector must be helped through the trade war
Vineyards have long been a feature of Europe's rural areas and a symbol of its expertise, but tariffs and duties from the US and China are putting the sector under pressure.
EU–Israel relations strained as Frederiksen singles out Netanyahu
20 Aug Member States
EU–Israel relations strained as Frederiksen singles out Netanyahu
The Danish leader’s unusually direct criticism highlights Europe’s growing frustration with Israel’s war in Gaza and the man at its helm.
Ukraine security guarantees emerge as sticking point after European leaders meet Trump
19 Aug Member States
Ukraine security guarantees emerge as sticking point after European leaders meet Trump
Boots on the ground will be needed to ward off a renewed invasion, experts say — but Putin won’t easily accept it.
Prada bag, anyone? How Trump’s tariffs hit Europe’s fashion giants
18 Aug Member States
Prada bag, anyone? How Trump’s tariffs hit Europe’s fashion giants
European luxury brands are feeling the heat as 15% US tariffs compound an existing affordability crisis.
Op-ed: Mercosur deal of deceit must not be signed
14 Aug EU Institutions
Op-ed: Mercosur deal of deceit must not be signed
The planned EU-Mercosur deal risks setting back Europe’s farmers through unfair competition, and raises safety concerns for European consumers.
‘Half-dead’ Schengen limps on amid increased migration anxiety
13 Aug Member States
‘Half-dead’ Schengen limps on amid increased migration anxiety
Europe’s open borders are being replaced by ‘temporary’ checkpoints that are often anything but. With anti-migration politics on the rise and a broken asylum system, the loss of trust will be hard to restore.