Lithium Mining in Serbia: “An Open and Productive Debate Is Not Possible” Interview Serbia's lithium mining project in Jadar has been on hold because of mass protests against feared environmental damage. Now the EU wants to secure this lithium access for Europe - despite the political and legal conditions in Serbia. Interview with Mirko Popović and Jovan Rajić. By Katja Giebel
Vacancy Announcement: Head of Programme - EU-Funding and Project Management Vacancy The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s “Global Support for Democracy” Unit in Brussels is welcoming applications for the position “Head of Programme: EU-Funding and Project Management” starting as of 1 October 2024. Deadline for applications in Tuesday 6 August 2024. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Böll EU Newsletter 6/2024 - Greening the von der Leyen II Commission Newsletter Habemus presidentem: With 401 votes in favour, the European Parliament has reconfirmed Ursula von der Leyen as the president of the European Commission. This vote was not a given. Unable to rely on the support of the super grand coalition of conservatives, social democrats, and liberals alone, von der Leyen went out of her way to secure Green votes in particular. By Roderick Kefferpütz
EU-Lebanon deal: Turning a blind eye to reality Commentary Although Lebanon receives EU support to provide for Syrian refugees, they are increasingly being criminalized and deported. Less than a week after Commission President Von der Leyen’s visit in May, Lebanon issued new residence regulations that effectively block the pathways to legal residence. These new regulations were followed by deportations to Syria, which the EU does not consider safe for return. Instead of making support conditional on respect for the refugees’ human rights, the EU is turning a blind eye. By Sara Stachelhaus
France after the election: "Compromises have extremely negative connotations" Interview The far-right Rassemblement National has surprisingly suffered a defeat in the French snap parliamentary elections - there is great relief in the country itself and also in the EU. However, forming a government could be complicated and take time, with France facing a phase of political paralysis. Marc Berthold, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's office in Paris, explains in this interview which constellations are possible and to what extent France's position in the EU could change. By Marc Berthold and Nicole Sagener
Job vacancy: Project and Events Coordinator - Part-time/full-time Vacancy The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union office in Brussels is welcoming applications for the position of “Project and Events Coordinator”, part-time (preferred) or full-time, to be filled as of 1 September 2024. The deadline for applications is Sunday, 18 August 2024, 23:59 CEST. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Gender-based violence: Does the practice meet the law? Review Violence against women is particularly alarming, as one in three women have been subjected to physical or sexual violence. In this article, lawyer Ekaterini Georgiadou provides an unparalleled critical review of the legislative framework for gender-based violence in Greece. She examines the provisions of the Istanbul Convention and the severe concerns reflected in GREVIO's evaluation report about the implementation of the Convention in Greece. Furthermore, she focuses in particular on the newly adopted EU Directive on combating violence against women, which Member States are obliged to transpose into their national law within three years. By Ekaterini Georgiadou
Böll·Europe Podcast #15 | After the EP election: What’s next for the EU and the Greens? Podcast episode The European Parliament elections might be over, but that doesn’t mean that the constellation of power in the EU is all set in stone. In this episode, we’re looking at what the European election result means for the EU and the future of the Green Deal, how the Greens in the European Parliament are doing, what their priorities are and whether the Greens just might be a new power broker that’s necessary for the conservatives, social democrats and liberals to hold a stable majority. Roderick Kefferpütz, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung's EU office, discusses this with Bas Eickhout, long-standing Member of the European Parliament from the Dutch Greens, and Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA Group. By Roderick Kefferpütz and Bas Eickhout
NATO summit: What Ukraine needs most urgently Commentary The NATO Summit in Washington, DC, from 9 to 11 July 2024, will not extend an invitation to Ukraine to become a member. The defence community can nevertheless send a clear signal that it will provide Ukraine with lasting support against Russia's war of attrition. By Robert Sperfeld and Jan Philipp Albrecht
Europe’s Conscription Challenge: Lessons From Nordic and Baltic States Paper As Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine reminds European countries about the importance of manpower, many are once again weighing the promise and perils of compulsory military service. By Sophia Besch and Katrine Westgaard