Reindustralisation, battery factories and Hungary's workforce gamble Background Hungary's ambitious plan to reindustrialise hinges on bringing in hundreds of thousands of migrant workers. However, this strategy faces a significant hurdle: a society already grappling with deep-seated distrust, both among its citizens and towards the influx of foreign labour. By Péter Vigh
Third-party voters could tip the election against Harris Analysis As American voters have become more firmly entrenched in their party affiliations, fewer and fewer states are in contention and the margins of victory are increasingly slim. This year, polls suggest that in the handful of swing states that will determine the race, the winner could be decided by a razor-thin margin. Votes for third party candidates could be enough to tip the election – most likely, in favor of Donald Trump. By Hannah Winnick
A Democratic Approach to EU Reform This policy paper makes some suggestions as to how reforms could be possible with and without treaty changes and how the EU can preserve its future viability.
Global digital governance after the UN Summit of the Future Analysis Digital technologies are now a global priority, like security and climate change. The 2024 UN Summit of the Future brings the Global Majority into internet and AI governance. The UN Convention on Cybercrime may do the same for cybersecurity. At the same time, the centralization at the UN risks empowering governments and undermining human rights. By Sabine Muscat
Hidden hazards: Disinformation and waste in Hungary's battery boom Background Explore the untold environmental and health risks of Hungary's rapidly growing battery industry. Our 2024 Climate Disinformation Fellow Péter Vigh uncovers government data that reveals the widespread presence of hazardous waste, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of an industry vital to the green transition. With battery production set to shape Hungary’s future, why are the dangers being kept in the dark? By Péter Vigh
For the legalisation of abortion – now! President's column Pregnancy termination is still a criminal offence in Germany under section 218 of the Criminal Code, with serious consequences for access to abortion and women’s right to self-determination. There can only be one answer to this. By Dr. Imme Scholz
Böll EU Newsletter 7/2024 - Competitiveness or Green Deal? I'll have both! Newsletter We are in the midst of a fundamental global political and economic re-ordering. Revisionist states are challenging the geopolitical order and questioning the territorial status quo in Europe and Asia. Economic competition on the world market is fierce, as evidenced by the struggles of traditional European industrial powerhouses such as Volkswagen and ThyssenKrupp. Cracks in the foundations of European prosperity are emerging. The days when Europe could outsource its security to the Americans, benefit from cheap Russian energy, and easily sell its goods to the world are ending. Europe needs to rethink its foundations. This means investing in decarbonisation, digitalisation, and defence. But this cannot be done on the cheap. By Roderick Kefferpütz
What to expect in the first 100 days of the von der Leyen II European Commission? Infographic On 18 July 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was elected for a second mandate and presented to the European Parliament her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission. We take a look at von der Leyen's promises for the first 100 days (and beyond) of the new European Commission. By Joan Lanfranco
Böll.Global 22 | After the 2024 European elections: The future of the EU institutions and green priorities Event recording How do the results affect the work of the newly elected European Parliament? What are the opportunities and risks? What are the key priorities for the Greens/EFA? What challenges can be identified with regard to the composition and agenda of the new European Commission? What impact did the election have in individual member states, particularly in Germany, France and Poland? With: Terry Reintke, lead candidate of the European Green Party and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen; Co-Chair of the Greens/EFA Group; Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, EU office, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Brussels; Marc Berthold, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris; Joanna Maria Stolarek, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Warsaw. Moderation: Eva van de Rakt, Head of European Union and North America Division, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin. By Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
More good humour please! In praise of a politics of joy President's column With fresh language and contagious good cheer, US presidential candidate Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party are generating new enthusiasm for their policies. Could that also catch on here in Germany? One thing is clear: without a positive atmosphere, democratic politics in the country will face an uphill battle. By Jan Philipp Albrecht