How the axing of a tiny green law solidifies the EPP's grip on EU politics
08 Jul 25 EU Institutions
How the axing of a tiny green law solidifies the EPP's grip on EU politics
The dramatic axing of an anti-greenwashing law reveals a new balance of power in the EU institutions, in which the centre-right European People’s Party has become indispensable.
Op-ed: Young Europeans must take to the streets in defence of the Green Deal
07 Jul 25 Energy & Environment
Op-ed: Young Europeans must take to the streets in defence of the Green Deal
As the EU’s right-leaning parties putting the environment at risk, European youth must mobilise to put the health of our planet at the heart of our economic system.
Op-ed: A strong 2040 target is key to European competitiveness
04 Jul 25 Energy & Environment
Op-ed: A strong 2040 target is key to European competitiveness
Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra's 2040 climate target revisions risk diluting the EU's role as a climate leader, argue Jukka Leskelä, Bård Standal, Finnur Beck, Åsa Pettersson, Thomas Aarestrup Jepsen and Jonas Helseth.
Russia spies opportunity in warming Arctic
04 Jul 25 Foreign & Security Policy
Russia spies opportunity in warming Arctic
As Arctic sea ice melts, Russia is racing to control new trade routes, extract untapped resources, and cement its military influence in a rapidly shifting region.
Five things to know about the EU's 2040 climate targets
03 Jul 25 EU Institutions
Five things to know about the EU's 2040 climate targets
The European Commission has formally proposed a 90% carbon emissions cut by 2040, but offered plenty of workarounds to convince reluctant member states to get on board.
Folk art and Soviet-style purges: How Europe’s populists are hijacking arts and culture
02 Jul 25 Member States
Folk art and Soviet-style purges: How Europe’s populists are hijacking arts and culture
Across the EU, far-right and populist governments are defunding museums, censoring artists and stacking cultural institutions with loyalists, often to advance a political ideology.
The EU's defence push risks neglecting drone revolution
01 Jul 25 Foreign & Security Policy
The EU's defence push risks neglecting drone revolution
As Ukraine rewrites modern warfare with drones and AI, countries across the EU are struggling with slow procurement, outdated priorities, and rising competition from global powers.
Q&A: Defence spending, migration on Denmark’s EU presidency agenda
01 Jul 25 Member States
Q&A: Defence spending, migration on Denmark’s EU presidency agenda
As Denmark steps into the Council of the European Union's rotating presidency, Ambassador Carsten Grønbech-Jensen outlines the country's priorities.
Interview: Marie Bjerre on Denmark redefining its EU role
30 Jun 25 Member States
Interview: Marie Bjerre on Denmark redefining its EU role
As Denmark takes over the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency, its European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre explains why the EU matters more than ever and how a small country plans to lead in uncertain times.
Op-ed: How to survive a trade war: A case for EU burden-sharing
27 Jun 25 Economics
Op-ed: How to survive a trade war: A case for EU burden-sharing
President Donald Trump’s tariff pause is a chance for the EU to get its house in order and figure out a measured response to the US trade threats.
American power talks as NATO raises spending pledge
27 Jun 25 Foreign & Security Policy
American power talks as NATO raises spending pledge
European NATO members this week bowed to US pressure and pledged to hike their defence spending, but achieving self-sufficiency will require more than just money.
Inside Europe’s billion-dollar anti-gender movement
26 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Inside Europe’s billion-dollar anti-gender movement
A new report reveals how groups critical of so-called gender ideology across Europe raised $1.18 billion to target abortion, sex education and LGBTQ+ rights.
Skills agenda an afterthought in the EU's competitiveness quest
26 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Skills agenda an afterthought in the EU's competitiveness quest
As the European Commission doubles down on deregulation and investment to boost competitiveness, neglecting the workers meant to power the bloc’s future could derail the agenda.
Op-ed: International aid is a strategic investment in Europe’s future
25 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Op-ed: International aid is a strategic investment in Europe’s future
As the EU undertakes discussions around its future budget, the human dimension of security must be seen as a strategic investment in the bloc’s own future.
Estonia takes final steps to split church from Russia
24 Jun 25 Member States
Estonia takes final steps to split church from Russia
Estonia's drive to split its Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate has reached the final stage. It's a way to push back against Kremlin soft power — but the hardline approach is fraught with risks.
Q&A: Belarusian opposition leader still hopes for a European future
24 Jun 25 Foreign & Security Policy
Q&A: Belarusian opposition leader still hopes for a European future
Most Belarusians want to break free of their Russian-backed government and align with Europe, opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said in an interview.
Op-ed: Europe needs stronger capital markets — and it can’t wait 
23 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Op-ed: Europe needs stronger capital markets — and it can’t wait 
Unlocking citizens’ wealth and capital flows will provide the cash injection that Europe’s economy needs to innovate and thrive.
Macron's proposed social media ban piles pressure on Brussels
23 Jun 25 Member States
Macron's proposed social media ban piles pressure on Brussels
The French president’s push to ban social media for children under 15 is in part a tactic to jolt the EU into holding Big Tech accountable by enforcing the Digital Services Act.
Op-ed: Tear down trade barriers to unlock the EU’s single market
19 Jun 25 Member States
Op-ed: Tear down trade barriers to unlock the EU’s single market
The absence of tariffs is no guarantee of free trade. Other barriers at national borders must be dismantled to deliver a true single market for EU consumers.
Broke Brussels goes with hand out to EU in bid to cover Schuman construction costs
18 Jun 25 Member States
Broke Brussels goes with hand out to EU in bid to cover Schuman construction costs
Facing strict budget constraints, the region's caretaker government is lobbying European leaders directly for cash to finish rebuilding the Schuman roundabout.
Essay: Why Germany is losing the war at home
17 Jun 25 Member States
Essay: Why Germany is losing the war at home
Despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz's rearmament bravado, youth has lost trust in the state and doesn't want to fight.
Op-ed: Why the EU needs new child protection laws
16 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Op-ed: Why the EU needs new child protection laws
The European Union has an opportunity to provide strong support for victims of child sexual abuse.
NATO’s 5% holdouts threaten European cohesion ahead of critical summit
13 Jun 25 Foreign & Security Policy
NATO’s 5% holdouts threaten European cohesion ahead of critical summit
With less than two weeks to go until a NATO summit in The Hague, European allies are divided over whether and how quickly to pledge further defence budget hikes.
Op-ed: The world looks to Europe for investments in gender equality, global health
12 Jun 25 EU Institutions
Op-ed: The world looks to Europe for investments in gender equality, global health
The next budget cycle gives the European Union a chance to step into a global leadership role in development aid, particularly in gender equality. It’s an economic opportunity as well as a moral duty.