The decision-making bodies of the EU are negotiating a revised EU-framework to prevent and counter the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay – a phenomenon commonly called smuggling of migrants. In this analysis, Gabriella Sanchez (Georgetown University) takes a critical look at the planned legislation. (2025:6epa)

How will the EU’s decision-making processes be affected if the number of member states grows significantly? This issue has been discussed since enlargement once again became a priority for the EU. In this analysis, Piret Ehin (University of Tartu) assesses the effects of three enlargement scenarios on the balance of power in the Council. (2025:5epa)

EU speeches and policy documents feature many political concepts, both recurrent and new ones. What do these concepts imply – and what is it that EU leaders and institutions want to achieve by using them? SIEPS has asked leading experts to take a critical look. (2025:1op)

A long trend of increasing gender balance in the European Parliament was broken with the 2024 election results. Johanna Kantola, Professor at the University of Helsinki, analyses the state of gender equality in the European Parliament. (2025:4epa)

The stakes are high when Germany holds snap elections on 23 February 2025. For the EU, both domestic and European policies in the most populous country in the Union are of great importance. Valentin Kreilinger (SIEPS) analyses what the parties' positions, the possible coalitions and the upcoming policy decisions mean for Europe. (2025:3epa)

EU enlargement will have consequences for where foreign investment is made. Colin Wren (Newcastle University) examines past enlargements and draws conclusions about future ones: which countries will be most attractive to invest in as the EU grows? (2025:2epa)

Security and defence are high on the EU's agenda for the new political cycle. Katarina Engberg analyses the initiatives within the EU that point towards a total defence as well as the challenges and opportunities this brings. (2025:1epa)

The Eastern and Central European countries that joined the EU in the 2000s have experienced economic growth thanks to their membership. In this European policy analysis, Mariusz Próchniak and Ryszard Rapacki, professors of Economics, examine what is required of the current candidate countries to benefit from EU membership in a similar way. (2024:24epa)

For a long time, the EU has addressed but so far not prevented systematic violations of the rule of law in the member states. In this analysis, Katalin Cseres argues that EU competition law should be used more actively as part of the rule of law toolbox. (2024:23epa)

In an uncertain world, the relationship between Europe and the United States has become more important than ever. At the same time, it is in a state of change. Ahead of the US presidential election, Marianne Riddervold analyses the transatlantic link and discusses ways forward for Europe. (2024:21epa)