Brazil delays privacy law, uses Covid-19 for data grab Commentary Federal, state, and city governments are working with technology companies to monitor citizens during the pandemic, with no guarantee of what will happen to the data after the crisis passes. The irony is that Brazil already has a law that would protect the right to privacy – but the government is trying to delay its implementation. By Flávia Lefèvre and Joyce Souza
The EU has to speak with one voice: its Role in the Middle East Conversation A debate on the US-influence, Covid-19, restricted individual freedoms and the question how the EU should define its role. By Dr. Bente Scheller
CAP Strategic Plans on Climate, Environment – Ever Decreasing Circles Article The latest effort at CAP reform from the Commission was supposed to focus on a new delivery model, more environmental ambition, and a performance and monitoring evaluation framework. As the Croatian presidency ends, little progress has been made. By Matteo Metta
Democracy Support Outside of the EU Conversation In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy was adopted. What is the role of civil society and the future of EU democracy support in the context of the Covid-19 crisis? By Dr. Cornelia Hoffmann
Post-Brexit: What Future for the EU-UK Relationship? Conversation To which extent is the coronavirus pandemic having an impact on the current Brexit negotiations? Is Brexit one of the priorities for the German Council Presidency? And what is the outlook on the future EU-UK relationship in the next decade(s)? By Florian Christl
European Responses to Multiple Crises Conversation The way the Covid-19 pandemic has been dealt with has raised many questions for the future of the European project. How have the EU institutions and Member States managed the crisis so far? What challenges will coincide with the German EU Council Presidency in terms of crisis management and the future of the EU? By Eva van de Rakt
How not to use tech in a pandemic - lessons from the UK Commentary From legal challenges to delays, leaks and policy reversals, the UK has stumbled in its tech response to the pandemic. A full assessment of what happened will take time, but the record thus far already offers lessons for the future. By Frederike Kaltheuner
Europe needs a Real Green Deal! Commentary The German government must fight for a Real Green Deal for Europe that combines economy and ecology and sets the course for a socio-ecological market economy. Dr. Ellen Ueberschär describes what that could look like. By Dr. Ellen Ueberschär
So it works, after all! Why I installed the German coronavirus tracing app Commentary Open-source software, transparent communication, and public-private cooperation with both large and small companies—the development of the German contact tracing app could be a model for future government IT projects. By Malte Spitz
Facing the Climate Crisis Conversation How does the European Green Deal respond to the climate emergency? What are its strenghts and weaknesses? What main economic and political barriers have to be overcome to reach higher ambitions? By Lisa Tostado
