The final countdown: the EU, Poland and the rule of law
Faced with financial and political pressures at home, Poland is inching closer to rule-of-law reforms.
Romania and Bulgaria stuck in EU’s second tier
The vetoing of Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen zone sent bad signals to the south-eastern EU member states.
Tackling the cost-of-living crisis
Inflation is a number. But addressing it is not just a technical issue, best left to (usually male) economists.
The digital euro: a flawed concept doomed to flop
Peter Bofinger argues that on the ‘digital euro’ the European Central Bank has dug itself into a hole it would do best to vacate.
ECB lobbies for banks, instead of supervising them
The ECB has taken upon itself to challenge the Spanish government over a temporary tax on the profits of commercial banks.
After ‘Qatargate’: how to protect democracy in the EU
The Gulf state’s pursuit of influence shines a light on a systemic problem for the EU—and it’s not a good look.
Social-ecological public procurement
The vast sums disbursed in procurement and subsidies by public institutions must lever good work amid the green transition.
Defending women’s rights in a broken justice system
The right to a fair trial is no longer guaranteed in Poland, say the activists protesting against strict abortion laws.
Avoiding ‘carbon leakage’—adjustments needed
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is ecologically justified but difficult to implement.
Europe-wide inequality during the pandemic
The pandemic increased inequality between member states but Europe-wide inequality has continued to decline, if more slowly.
Citizens need clarity on Europe’s challenges
A cocktail of insecurity, misinformation and mistrust imperil Europe’s future. Reliable, accessible data are at a premium.
EU-Africa relations need a new strategy
Deeper and more systemic relations between the European Union and Africa, Nicoletta Pirozzi writes, would benefit both continents.
Health and care workers have had enough
Workers from across Europe descended on Brussels to demand adequate investment in health and social care.
Taxing super-profits to beat inflation, defend rights
Pandemics, wars and recessions do not exempt states from human-rights commitments. They must tax multinationals and the richest more to protect the most vulnerable.
Political leaders sabotaging corporate sustainability
EU member-state governments have flinched at the challenge of enforcing responsible business conduct.
Exclusion of women could end up costing our planet
COP27 in Egypt was massively dominated by male leaders. Yet African women are key agents in battling climate change.
Inflation: free markets or freeriding?
Companies with market power are increasing prices beyond rising energy costs—because they can.