Democracy

Brace for impact: Trump is moving full-speed ahead with his reactionary agenda. Signing over 100 executive actions, he has declared the border with Mexico a national emergency, lifted restrictions for oil and gas drilling, withdrawn the US from the Paris Climate agreement and the World Health Organization, weakened AI safety regulation, and more.

Elections were held in over 70 countries in 2024, with over half the global population going to the polls. This report assesses the outcomes of these elections and offers reflections on what the impact of the ‘election super-year’ is likely to be on key policy issues and on the deeper systemic state of democracy.

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union office in Brussels is welcoming applications for its new traineeship programme, running from March to July 2025. The deadline for applications is Sunday 2 February 2025, 23:59 CET.

Digital trust is a trojan horse. For years, LinkedIn has maintained its position as the most trusted digital platform globally. Yet this same trust may be its greatest vulnerability. When we feel safe, our defences drop. And misinformation thrives in these unguarded moments.

2024 was the year of the vote; more than 100 countries, representing nearly half of the global population, held elections this year. 2025 will be the year of political work, with governments implementing the policies and promises made. In this context, one central question is emerging: What is the role of the state and government in an era defined by profound political, economic and environmental challenges? And what capacity do governments have to deal with them?

2024 was a challenging year for any government’s ruling party. Incumbent governments struggled as the cost-of-living crisis disgruntled voters around the globe. This was especially true for junior coalition partners, who often bear the brunt of electoral backlash. Green parties were no exception to the rule.

Roderick Kefferpütz, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU talks to Reinhard Bütikofer. He was Member of the European Parliament for the Green/EFA group for 15 years, from 2009 to 2024. During his time at the European Parliament, Reinhard Bütikofer focused on foreign affairs, international trade, and EU-China relations. He served as the chair of the EP delegation for relations with China and was a long-standing member of the delegation for relations with the United States. As Co-Chair of the European Green Party from 2012 to 2019, and as a Leader of the German Green Party from 2002 to 2008, he played an important role in shaping Green policies in Europe. In this episode, they delve into his insights on evolving global challenges, the trajectory of Green EU policies, and the future of EU-China relations, in a conversation filled with reflections, and strategies for addressing pressing global issues.

In 2025 the last hereditary peers will leave the House of Lords. That will not be enough to satisfy its critics, writes Ros Taylor, who believe Britain’s second chamber is overstuffed with idle peers and too many cronies who were not appointed on merit.

The EU is undergoing a historic shift in economic and tech policy, embracing industrial policy to shape Europe’s digital future. However, public investments in large-scale AI risk reinforcing dominant players and undermining climate goals. Europe must align these investments with societal goals, tackle tech sector monopolies, and ensure innovation serves the public interest.

Poland takes on the EU Council Presidency in January 2025. What does this role mean, and what challenges lie ahead? Our latest article explores the key context and what to expect during this pivotal six-month period.