European Union

From renewables stuck in connection queues to data centres waiting years to plug in, Europe’s power system is under strain. In this edition of 3 Questions, we speak with Elisabeth Cremona from Ember about why grids have become the backbone of EU competitiveness, security and decarbonisation.

Against the backdrop of a fragmenting trade order, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed at the World Economic Forum that Europe remains open to the world. But then, the European Parliament narrowly voted to request a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice on the EU-Mercosur agreement; a decision that could significantly delay its ratification. The vote has triggered a heated debate about Europe’s trade policy, strategic direction, and the role the Greens play in this geopolitical context. We spoke to Sven Giegold, Member of the German Green Party’s federal executive board and responsible for European coordination.

In November, the European Commission unveiled the long-awaited Democracy Shield initiative, designed to counter threats such as disinformation and foreign interference. While it acknowledges the systemic risk European democracy faces, the Shield falls short of addressing its root causes: engagement-based algorithms, Big Tech dominance, geopolitical dependency, and deep divisions that make Europe vulnerable to polarising messages. An interview with Alexandra Geese, Green Member of the European Parliament. 

2026 is shaping up to be an extraordinary electoral year in Europe and for the European Greens. Opinion polls indicate that national parliamentary elections could reshape governments in countries ranging from Denmark and Latvia to Slovenia. The most consequential contest may take place in Hungary, where a potential defeat of long-time right-wing leader Viktor Orbán could result in a more assertive European Union. At the regional level, the Greens face a key test in Baden-Württemberg, where they have led the state government for more than a decade. 

As the global order becomes increasingly multipolar, Africa has emerged as a key arena of geopolitical competition. Shifting power dynamics and the growing influence of China are pushing the European Union to rethink its engagement with the continent, while African countries seek more balanced and diversified partnerships on their own terms.

Given complex, uncertain and highly volatile global power shifts, the European Union (EU) holds an essential, though currently underutilized, role as a strategic partner for Cambodia, offering support for peace, stability, development and the defence of principle-based international relations. 

Montenegro stands at a crossroads: will it normalise exceptional, deal-driven investment practices, or set regional standards for transparent and rule-based development? The EU has a critical opportunity to guide this process.

Facing US pressure to deregulate, Latin America seeks new ESG partners. As China claims sustainability leadership, the EU, once a standard-setter, now prioritises competitiveness over people and planet, risking long-term consequences for short-term gains.