Black Lives Matter! Published: 6 July 2020 Article George Floyd just had time to tell his executioners “I can’t breathe”. His words were heard in Belgium, where they succeeded in toppling King Leopold II, whose face was daubed with red paint when he was not simply torn down. Black lives matter! An autopsy of the controversial movement, which is no longer in its test phase. By Wendy Bashi
Why politics cannot rely on reason alone Published: 3 July 2020 Commentary In liberal democracies, we like to think that rationality is the governing principle of politics. Recent events – such as the Brexit vote – have seriously undermined this. We need to remember that emotion and the personality of public figures are significant – either for reactionary or progressive purposes. By James Bartholomeusz
Democracy Support Outside of the EU Published: 1 July 2020 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? Published: 1 July 2020 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
Europe needs a Real Green Deal! Published: 30 June 2020 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
A German EU Presidency cannot succeed without France Published: 12 June 2020 Background Europe could still emerge from the pandemic crisis sustainably positioned and strengthened, but only if the Franco-German tandem works. The plans for a reconstruction fund of 500 billion euros mark a turnaround in the right direction. By Dr. Jens Althoff
Expectations of the Greek government and Greek civil society of the 2020 German EU Council Presidency Published: 12 June 2020 Background At the beginning of 2020 it looked as if the Greek economy would recover with above average growth from 10 years of financial crisis.The corona pandemic has shattered these prospects. Greek society is now hoping for support from the German Council Presidency. By Olga Drossou
“Trump’s election defeat won’t end structural racism” Published: 10 June 2020 Interview The murder of George Floyd has thrown the United States into a state of unrest. President Trump is throwing fuel on the fire in an attempt to increase his re-election chances. The main problem, however, is historical, structural racism – and not just in the U.S. An interview with Bastian Hermisson, Head of the Foundation’s office in Washington, and Mekonnen Mesghena, Head of Migration and Diversity at the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin. By Bastian Hermisson and Mekonnen Mesghena
Colombia and SARS-CoV-2: Will the storm pass? Published: 8 June 2020 Background In Colombia too, public life and the economy have been at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is, however, hope that the early measures taken to stem the pandemic will pay off in the medium and long term. The country is currently between hope and fear regarding the measures to ease the social and economic lockdown in place since March. By Florian Huber
How coronavirus has worsened the plight of refugees in Tunisia Published: 5 June 2020 Background In the shadows of the Covid-19-crisis, refugees and irregular migrants in Europe’s neighbouring countries are afraid for their very existence and terrified of long-term detention in reception camps. In Tunisia, political provisions are being put into place and emergency plans negotiated to deal with migrants and refugees on their way to Europe. By Fabian Heppe