Illiberal demagoguery splits Europe at the seams
The greatest internal fissure in the EU is now between East and West. Illiberal demagoguery is a democratic regression that can undermine its very foundations.
Future of Europe
From Seville to Brussels: the architecture of global presence
The purpose of this paper is to understand the global-local link in the external projection of countries. It breaks down the Elcano Global Presence Index by geographical origin for both the European Union (into member states) and for one particular European country, namely Spain.
The Eurasian Economic Union: ambitions
The Eurasian Economic Union –officially in existence since 1 January 2015– is the most ambitious attempt yet at economically integrating the post-Soviet space. What are its successes and limitations so far? How does it alter Russia’s relations with the West? Should the EU engage it as a partner?
Turkey’s 10 years of EU accession negotiations: no end in sight
Turkey had little to celebrate in October 2015 when it completed 10 years of negotiating its accession to the European Union.
Turkey on its way to snap elections: a political gamble?
The impossibility of forming a stable government in Turkey following the 7 June elections has led the ruling AKP to call snap elections for 1 November.
Pro-independence parties win the Catalan regional elections
Pro-independence parties won an absolute majority of seats in the elections for the regional parliament of Catalonia, but just under half the votes. The Catalan issue is going to run for a very long time.
Few lights in the darkness: The Future of the Euro by Matthijs and Blyth
An extraordinary book on the Euro and its future paths. It analysis the multifaceted and complex dimensions of the Eurozone crisis from a variety of angles.
The disgrace of trading refugee quotas
But to offer those opposing refugee quotas an ‘easy way out’ simply further diminishes the idea of solidarity in the European Union, both inward and outward.
Savage continent: the longer term will not resolve the shorter
Europe is forgetting where it has come from: a savage continent, but also the one that gave birth to the Enlightenment and Human Rights.
EULEX: a mission in need of reform and with no end in sight
The EU’s once ambitious EULEX (European Union Rule of Law in Kosovo Mission) needs to be reformed so that it can put an end to its presence in Kosovo after having helped strengthen the Rule of Law.
Intentionally or otherwise, Schäuble has killed off the prospect of a Grexit
The hard-line taken by the German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, and the subsequent U-turn by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, has paradoxically reduced any real potential for a Grexit to take place.
Bad is better than worst, but Europe has lost out in the endeavour
The Eurozone, and by extension the EU adn Europe, has avoided a serious trip-up with Greece, although the danger is by no means past.