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"Most EU leaders focused on democracy winning against the extreme right in their congratulation messages. In contrast, others reminded President Emmanuel Macron that he needs to pay more attention to social and ecological policies".

Macron pleases EU, particularly Russia’s neighbours

By: EBR | Tuesday, April 26, 2022

For many different reasons, leaders across Europe have hailed the victory of Emmanuel Macron in the second round of the French elections

"The empathy shown by the FDP, the Greens and many others in Germany is something one would finally also like to see coming from the SPD leadership".

The Evasive Mr. Scholz

By: EBR | Tuesday, April 26, 2022

On Ukraine and Russia, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz is not acting thoughtfully and with a cool head. Rather, he is damaging Germany’s reputation – and his own party

"The war in Ukraine is much more than a crisis. It’s a catalyst for far-reaching change to the European integration project".

The war in Ukraine will reshape the European Union

By: EBR | Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Full marks to the European Union for the speed, agility and unity with which it responded to the Ukraine crisis

Over half of people in the European Union had at least basic digital skills in 2021, new data shows.

Which EU member states have the most digital skills?

By: EBR | Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Do you know how to read online news sites, send an instant message, use word processing software or manage access to your personal data?

“While [the European Commission] talks about sequestering more carbon in Europe and improving biodiversity in Europe, the bottom line is that it basically sacrifices all of that for bioenergy”.

Princeton academics accuse EU biofuels policy of harming climate aims

By: EBR | Thursday, April 21, 2022

The EU’s promotion of biofuels as a renewable energy source is undermining the bloc’s climate goals, a new study by Princeton University academics and CIRAD, a French agricultural research body, has found

"Germany has historically been governed by coalitions of two parties (never more than two), where the conservatives or the social democrats would be the dominant partner – until this changed in 2021".

Three-ways are hard

By: EBR | Thursday, April 21, 2022

As most of Europe piles on the pressure and lambasts the German government in a desperate bid to get it moving on an energy embargo against Russia and arms deliveries to Ukraine, the three-party government in Berlin appears to be struggling to keep up

The IPCC just published its latest report on mitigating man-made greenhouse gas emissions to prevent disastrous and irreversible climate change.

How the IPCC report contradicts the EU’s vision on shipping

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The inclusion of natural gas in the European Commission’s proposal on low-carbon shipping fuels is incompatible with the recommendations of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC)

"Gazprom were to continue to supply gas to the EU market, then that supply surely has to be regulated to ensure EU markets cannot be manipulated for political or even military objectives".

Gazprom: The Dark Shadow Over Europe

By: EBR | Friday, April 15, 2022

In the run-up to the Ukraine invasion, Gazprom has conclusively proven that it is not a business but a politico-military enterprise – a central part of Putin’s war-making kit

There are two futures of Europe. Since the Treaty of Rome, the Treaties have included the ambition to forge “an ever-closer union” among the people (not peoples) of Europe. And then there is George H. W. Bush‘s vision of Europe, “whole and free” and “at peace with itself” expressed in his 1989 Mainz speech.

‘Ever Closer’ Union or ‘Ever Stronger’ Union?

By: EBR | Thursday, April 14, 2022

The 1648 Westphalia treaty stipulated that each state could choose its own religion and others would not interfere in its internal matters

Germany and Russia’s military roles in Ukraine before and during World War Two left at least 12 million dead. Putin and the state-controlled media justify Russia’s war in Ukraine with the need to “denazify” it.

The High Price of German Hesitancy

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A Russian victory in Ukraine would change the map of Europe. Germany could help prevent this by sending vital military equipment to Kyiv and banning Russian energy imports

The Commission is working on all fronts to provide emergency assistance to people in need, including by supporting countries like the Republic of Moldova in strengthening their response.

Ukraine: EU humanitarian operation in the Republic of Moldova enhances assistance for refugees

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Since the start of Russia’s invasion on 24 February, the refugee influx of civilians fleeing Ukraine to reach neighbouring countries has resulted in skyrocketing humanitarian needs

"If 20% of European farmers adopted a climate-smart approach, it would be hugely beneficial for food systems resilience".

For secure, nature-positive food systems, Europe must invest in farmers

By: EBR | Monday, April 11, 2022

The conflict in Ukraine has put food systems, and their fragility, at the top of the global agenda. Together, Russia and Ukraine account for roughly 30% of global wheat exports, while Russia is the world’s top fertilizer exporter

With energy prices at record highs, policymakers face a decisive moment in the energy transition. Europe is in the latest of a long line of energy crises going back to the 1970s, with wholesale gas prices surging, and energy bills soaring for households and businesses across the continent.

EU’s renewable energy future

By: EBR | Friday, April 8, 2022

To realise an affordable, clean energy future, Europe needs to double down on renewables

For commuting and getting around in Brussels and Luxembourg, public transport and green mobility will be prioritised, with a fleet of Commission-owned bikes and an increased number of charging stations for electric vehicles. Parking space will be reduced by at least 35%.

EU Commission lays out plan to become climate neutral by 2030

By: EBR | Thursday, April 7, 2022

The European Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday (5 April) to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions by 60% before the end of the decade, saying the remainder will be compensated with carbon removals

As an immediate first step, the EU has mobilised its rescEU medical reserve to procure potassium iodide tablets which can be used to protect people from the harmful effects of radiation.

EU develops strategic reserves for chemical, biological and radio-nuclear emergencies

By: EBR | Thursday, April 7, 2022

To improve the EUs preparedness and response to public health risks

“The weight of Europe in standardisation bodies has been eroded by the growth of American and Asian companies that have deeper pockets to invest in trying to influence the technical discussions.”

The risk of fragmentation for international standards

By: EBR | Thursday, April 7, 2022

The EU’s standardisation strategy is trying to prevent the lagging of European companies but might open the door for the regionalisation of international standards

In reaction to the current high gas prices, the European Commission tabled proposals last month obliging EU countries to fill up their gas stores at least 80% ahead of next winter and 90% in the following years.

Cost of gas storage refill will be evenly spread, EU assures

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary have flagged concerns about EU plans to ensure the bloc’s gas storage is at least 80% full by 1 November, warning they would bear a disproportionate amount of the cost

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put the spotlight again on food security, as both countries involved in the war have a central role in supplying the world with staple grains and oils.

EU foresees rise in grain exports to plug Ukrainian wheat global gap

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 6, 2022

In the next two years, the European Commission estimates a 30% increase in exports of cereals to mitigate the impact on global markets of the reduced Ukrainian yield due to the war

The stakes were high: could the united opposition defeat Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party after twelve years of his “illiberal state?”.

Hungary Enters a New Era of Autocracy

By: EBR | Wednesday, April 6, 2022

After Viktor Orban’s landslide victory, the illiberal Hungary experiment will continue. Brussels must respond decisively to the erosion of democracy and media freedom

District heating networks – hot water pipes running below the ground – supply millions of homes in cities across Europe, representing about 10% of the EU’s heat market.

EU bets on local planning to boost district heating

By: EBR | Tuesday, April 5, 2022

District heating networks are set to receive a boost under draft EU legislation requiring all municipalities above 50,000 inhabitants to map out heating and cooling decarbonisation roadmaps