Georgia and Russia: “On the same train” with the occupant Analysis The Kremlin denies sovereignty and territorial integrity not only to Ukraine but also to Georgia. But unlike Ukraine, the ruling Georgian Dream party follows the Russian playbook and uses the Russian threat to maintain authoritarian power. By Dr. Sonja Schiffers
100 days in office: Assessing main initiatives of the von der Leyen II European Commission Analysis This week marks 100 days of the von der Leyen II European Commission. A deadline by which President von der Leyen promised a range of initiatives, as outlined in her 2024-2029 political guidelines. We take a look at the main initiatives launched, in a time when Europe is adapting to shifting geopolitical paradigms. By Jörg Mühlenhoff, Zora Siebert , Anton Möller, Hannah Goerlich and Joan Lanfranco
EU special Summit: Towards a European Defence Union Analysis After years of hesitation, the EU – driven by geopolitical shifts – is finally moving forward. The special summit in Brussels shows momentum in defence policy. But Europe remains vulnerable without a big step forward. By Eva van de Rakt and Roderick Kefferpütz
Europe is reinventing itself Commentary It's not just about money. We can be the innovative and cultural magnet of the world. That is the strength of democratic and open societies. By Bastian Hermisson
Russia after Putin Book summary There is a broad consensus that no significant change can be expected in Russia so long as Vladimir Putin remains in power. The big question is: what will happen when he steps down or dies in office? Summary of Jens Siegert's book "Where is Russia Heading? Scenarios for the Time Afterwards", presented in Brussels on 6 March 2025. By Jens Siegert
Böll EU Newsletter 2/2025 - Europe must step up Newsletter Europe must step up. While EU leaders have expressed solidarity in the wake of the Trump-Vance-Zelensky Oval Office meeting, tweets and statements do not help on the battlefield. Ukraine needs weapons and financial support. The challenge Europe faces is not a lack of capability, but a weakness of will. Europe possesses immense resources but struggles to mobilise them effectively. By Roderick Kefferpütz
The Greens after Germany’s election: Seize the opportunity for a new start! Commentary Despite the more difficult majorities in society and parliaments, the Greens should not spend too much time licking their wounds. Instead: open the gates and invite people everywhere to get involved in forward-looking politics. By Jan Philipp Albrecht
Germany has voted: What next for Europe? Event recording Germany held snap federal elections on 23 February 2025. What will the new political constellation mean for European unity, the EU’s decarbonisation and competitiveness agenda, and the EU’s role in the world? Roderick Kefferpütz analysed the election results and their implications for Germany’s role in Europe with Dr. Jana Puglierin, Sven Giegold, Leonore Gewessler, Jeanette Süß and Jolanta Szymańska. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union
Four key economic policy issues for the next German government Analysis Germany voted and Europe held its breath. Despite the bleak economic performance and outlook of Germany, the promise of ‘economy-centred election campaigns’ never materialized. Yet the list of economic policy homework for the new government is long and urgent. The possibility to form a two-party government of the Christian conservative CDU/CSU and social democratic SPD now needs to be translated into political action – in both Germany and the EU. By Phillip Käding and Anton Möller
3 Questions on the EU's Clean Industrial Deal to MEP Michael Bloss 3 Questions The European Commission finally unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal, a competitiveness-driven approach to decarbonisation, aimed at securing the EU as an attractive location for manufacturing, including for energy intensive industries, and promoting clean tech and new circular business models. We asked MEP Michael Bloss (Greens/EFA) what to expect, and how to conciliate competitiveness with just transition. By Michael Bloss and Anton Möller