Webinar 3 December: The rule of law, the European Court of Justice, and the future of the EU

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) is behind a recent enhancement of European constitutionalism, placing a long-established value and principle of EU law, at the centre stage: the rule of law. This process represents the Court’s response in cases involving breaches of the rule of law within EU member states. What does this case law entail and what are the implications for the EU? This will be discussed at a webinar on 3 December with Professors Laurent Pech and Dimitry Kochenov.

Restricting human rights in the Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most EU Member States found themselves obliged to derogate from certain civil and political rights. Even though these derogations differed in both style and extent, they have had implications for the democratic systems in the Member States. But what are the implications of these derogations for the EU legal system? Valeriia Varfolomieieva, Research Assistant in law at SIEPS, raises this issue by analyzing the European and EU legal framework for human rights derogations. (2021:18epa)

2021_18epa.pdf

Webinar: Trade agreements as part of international migration managment?

Delmi arranges a hybrid seminar in collaboration with SIEPS to present and new report on trade agreements in the EU. What challenges and possibilities are offered by the nexus between migration and trade policies in EUs external relations?

The European Green Deal and the Risk of Widening the East-West Gap

The European Green Deal could accelerate convergence between newer and older member states. But if its implementation is badly managed, argues Julian Popov of the European Climate Foundation, it will instead widen the economic and social gap between East and West. (2021:17epa)

2021_17epa.pdf

Political accountability in EU multi-level governance: the glass half-full

Is there sufficient political accountability in the EU’s multilevel governance system? Are the public and their representatives able and willing to have decision-makers answer for their decisions? In this report Professor of Public Policy Yannis Papadopoulos examines the mechanisms of horizontal and vertical accountability vis-à-vis the EU institutions and assesses their effectiveness. (2021:4)

SIEPS_2021_4.pdf

Recent publications in English

Respect for the Rule of Law in the Case Law of the European Court of Justice: A Casebook Overview of Key Judgments since the Portuguese Judges Case

In recent years, the European Court of Justice has strengthened the rule of law as a binding value within the EU. This change is the result of several landmark rulings in the period 2018 to 2021, which should be seen in the context of the decline of the rule of law in some Member States. Professors Laurent Pech and Dimitry Kochenov unveil a profound change of the EU as a constitutional system. (2021:3)

Political accountability in EU multi-level governance: the glass half-full

Is there sufficient political accountability in the EU’s multilevel governance system? Are the public and their representatives able and willing to have decision-makers answer for their decisions? In this report Professor of Public Policy Yannis Papadopoulos examines the mechanisms of horizontal and vertical accountability vis-à-vis the EU institutions and assesses their effectiveness. (2021:4)

Germany goes to the polls: how will its EU policies change?

On September 26th 2021 Germany goes to the polls. Who will govern after the election, and how will they deal with upcoming EU policy questions? SIEPS Senior Researcher Valentin Kreilinger sets the election in its European context, by examining the parties’ manifestos and outlining possible coalition governments. (2021:16epa)

Restricting human rights in the Member States during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most EU Member States found themselves obliged to derogate from certain civil and political rights. Even though these derogations differed in both style and extent, they have had implications for the democratic systems in the Member States. But what are the implications of these derogations for the EU legal system? Valeriia Varfolomieieva, Research Assistant in law at SIEPS, raises this issue by analyzing the European and EU legal framework for human rights derogations. (2021:18epa)

The European Green Deal and the Risk of Widening the East-West Gap

The European Green Deal could accelerate convergence between newer and older member states. But if its implementation is badly managed, argues Julian Popov of the European Climate Foundation, it will instead widen the economic and social gap between East and West. (2021:17epa)

The EU’s Antisemitism Strategy: what, why and why now?

In response to rising antisemitism the European Commission has presented the first EU Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life. Ned Hercock, Research Assistant at SIEPS, reads between the lines of the strategy and considers its historical and political context. (October 2021)

The EU's updated industrial strategy

An updated version of the EU’s “New Industrial Strategy for Europe”, presented a year ago, was discussed at SIEPS’ webinar on May 12 2021. The further evolution of the strategy was analyzed in light of last year’s dramatic developments. A recording of the webinar is available here.

Policy overview: A European Defence Union by 2025? Work in progress

“We need further bold steps in the next five years towards a genuine European Defence Union.” This goal was proclaimed by Ursula von der Leyen when she took office as the new President of the European Commission in 2019. Given the developments in this area, is the EU likely to be equipped with a Defence Union by 2025?

This question is examined by Katarina Engberg, senior advisor at SIEPS. In this policy overview, she describes the drivers behind the EU’s defence policy, its current and evolving elements as well as remaining weaknesses, considering the role of defence throughout the EU’s history.

With this overview, the reader is offered a roadmap for assessing the evolution of European defence policy over time: Will the proclaimed Defence Union amount to the mere accumulation of pragmatic progress? Or will it result from jolts produced by political initiatives or/and external challenges?

In the overview, it is also suggested that the EU calls out defence more clearly, now shrouded under the cover of external crisis management and industrial policy.

Past seminars in English

Tax Sovereignty in a Globalised and Digitalised World

On 4 February, SIEPS and the Expert Group on Public Economics (ESO) jointly arranged a seminar with the aim of disseminating knowledge about the organisations’ work on taxation and to identify important areas for research with respect to taxation in a digitalised and globalised world.

The seminar was filmed.

EU Industrial Policy in a globalised world – effects on state aid and internal market rules

On the 31st of January 2020, SIEPS and The Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union in Brussel held a seminar on the EU Industrial Policy. 

The seminar was filmed and is available on Facebook.

The rule of law: Democracy’s bastion, or its nemesis?

Seminar on the rule of law and democracy, 27 January 2020, co-organized by SIEPS and CER and hosted by the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU.

More pictures and a short summary. 

 

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