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. 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. 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. Alexandra Geese, 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. 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. 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. Ros Taylor
Böll EU Brief 01/2025 | Trading partners? Europe's options against Trump's tariffs Böll EU Brief In a pivotal week for transatlantic trade relations, the new EU Böll Brief “Trading partners? Europe's options against Trump’s tariffs“ analyses the potential consequences of rising US tariffs on European trade and explores strategic responses available to the EU, highlighting the economic risks of a tariff war for each individual EU Member State and outlining alternative strategies for the EU to safeguard its economic interests. Sonali Chowdhry, Julian Hinz et al.
Press release | Trading partners? Europe's options against Trump's tariffs Press release In a pivotal week for transatlantic trade relations, the new EU Böll Brief “Trading partners? Europe's options against Trump’s tariffs“ analyses the potential consequences of rising US tariffs on European trade and explores strategic responses available to the EU, highlighting the economic risks of a tariff war for each individual EU Member State and outlining alternative strategies for the EU to safeguard its economic interests. Joan Lanfranco
Beyond the cuts: How the defunding affects feminist and civil society organisations Analysis The rise of the far-right movement and recent shifts in global politics have led to significant cuts in foreign development assistance. What are the impacts on feminist and civil society organisations? Merima Šišić, Derya Binışık
Between and outside 0 and 1 Commentary To understand the importance of self-representation within photography, Merel Maan Galama sheds a light on the history of photography, showing how prejudiced representation of Roma became part of archives, how this influenced the widespread development of stereotypes and how these are now continuously spread through algorithms. Merel Maan Galama
