Press release | Green on paper – Red in practice: updated Green Deal Risk Radar warns of delays and watering down of EU’s sustainability ambitions Press release Five months into the new European Commission, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union is releasing an updated European Green Deal Risk Radar, spotlighting critical risks to the EU’s climate, environmental, and sustainability laws in the 2024–2029 legislative term. By Roderick Kefferpütz, Jörg Mühlenhoff and Joan Lanfranco
3 Questions on Europe's policy of the new German Federal government to Chantal Kopf MdB 3 Questions With a new CDU/CSU–SPD coalition government in Berlin, the future direction of Germany's EU policy is in the spotlight. As the largest EU Member State, any shift in Berlin will inevitably echo across Europe. There are a lot of hopes and expectations and of course challenges that this coalition government will have to navigate. We asked Chantal Kopf MdB, the Europe Spokesperson for the German Green Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag, what this new coalition means for the EU. By Roderick Kefferpütz and Chantal Kopf
Böll EU Newsletter 4/2025 - Europe: looking back, moving forward Newsletter This May invites a moment of reflection. We mark Europe Day and 75 years of the Schuman Declaration, a proposal that laid the foundation for what would eventually become the EU. We also commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II, and 70 years since Germany joined NATO. These dates remind us of how our continent’s institutions have woven diverse countries together in peace, prosperity and shared values. By Roderick Kefferpütz
Friends or just fellow travellers? What Reform has in common with other populist right parties in Europe (and what it doesn’t) Commentary Populist and far-right parties across Europe share many of the same traits, says Ros Taylor. But Reform has not yet embraced the pro-natalist agenda of a lot of its counterparts. By Ros Taylor
Is the EU still transitioning to renewable energy? Analysis The EU promised a renewable energy future – but is it still on track? As political shifts, policy delays and legal battles unfold, the energy transition faces new hurdles. Are we still moving forward, or is Europe starting to backpedal? Seden Anlar reports. By Seden Anlar
Serbia: past the point of no return? Commentary A wave of pro-democratic uprisings is pushing back against the rise of authoritarianism in the United States, Turkey, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and many other countries. In Serbia, four months of sustained protests have left the country in political limbo — without a functioning government and facing the prospect of yet another snap election. By Emma Quaedvlieg
3 Questions on the "AI Continent Action Plan" to Alexandra Geese MEP 3 Questions We are in the middle of the AI race. On April 9, Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen presented the EU's new AI Continent Action Plan. The goal? Making Europe a global hub for AI innovation. No more talk of bans or limitations. The action plan is about boosting competitiveness and claiming leadership. We asked Alexandra Geese MEP (Greens/EFA) what this shift means. By Alexandra Geese and Zora Siebert
New German coalition puts climate protection on back burner Analysis On 9 April 2025, Germany’s incoming government of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) concluded a governing ‘contract’ that paves the way for the partners to take office in May. The new chancellor will be CDU chief Friedrich Merz, who underscored in the campaign that climate protection would not be a top priority. Paul Hockenos reports. By Paul Hockenos
How Brussels risks undermining Serbia’s democratisation potential Commentary While Brussels may see the Jadar lithium mining project as a strategic step toward a greener future, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić sees it as a tactical tool to reinforce his grip on power - just as hundreds of thousands rise to reclaim democracy. By Bojan Elek
You need us: the British strategy for pivoting towards Europe Commentary Keir Starmer says Britain does not need to choose between the US and the rest of Europe, writes Ros Taylor. But Donald Trump’s behaviour is making the long pivot away from America easier — even if the ‘coalition of the willing’ comes to nothing. By Ros Taylor