International Relations

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.

Climate and species protection is indispensable – and costs money. Germany must not shirk its responsibilities in these areas by invoking the debt brake. Sources of financing are available – the next federal government should use them.

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?

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.

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.

After the elections in the United States on 5 November 2024, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC office reached out to the global network of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung offices to hear how the second Trump administration will impact countries and progress on green issues across the world.

In 2023, Javier Milei, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” surprised Argentina’s political establishment and won the presidential elections. He’s an admirer of US President-elect Donald Trump and of tech mogul Elon Musk, and his political platform is characterised by hash austerity and a very conservative social agenda. Using the rulebook of other illiberal regimes throughout the world when it comes to political communications and dealing with pluralism, his style and policies are making waves worldwide. What is going on in Argentina and what are the implications for human rights, digital rights and the environment?

Under Trump and his radicalised Republican Party, the US is entering into an era of authoritarianism. In the country itself, there is a real threat of state control over private life issues and a political apparatus of persecution. In future, foreign policy will be shaped by Trump's relations with autocrats.