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

October 2021 • Popov Julian

Analysis

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?

October 2021 • Hercock Edwin

Perspective

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.

Medlemsstaterna

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

October 2021 • Papadopoulos Yannis

Report

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)

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

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

September 2021 • Pech Laurent, Kochenov Dimitry

Report

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)

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

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

September 2021

Analysis

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)

Medlemsstaterna

COVID-19: The EU legislative process proves resilient and adaptable, but democracy has suffered

June 2021 • Bendjaballah Selma, Kreilinger Valentin

Analysis

The pandemic has led to alternative means of reaching decisions in the EU. How this has affected EU legislation and democracy is examined by Valentin Kreilinger at SIEPS and Selma Bendjaballah at Sciences Po Paris. The effects are analysed against the long-term trends in EU legislative affairs. (2021:12epa)

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

Next Generation EU: Solidarity, Opportunity, and Confidence

June 2021 • Jones Erik

Analysis

In July 2020, the European Council agreed on a plan to help Member States’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement has important implications, writes Professor Erik Jones, but challenges remain. One crucial factor is whether the Member States succeed in managing their recovery and resilience plans. (2021:11epa)

Gender mainstreaming in the European Commission

May 2021 • Mergaert Lut, Minto Rachel

Analysis

The EU is committed to gender mainstreaming across all its policies and activities. When it comes to the European Commission, researchers Lut Mergaert and Rachel Minto argue that there are examples of good practice, but also weaknesses. An important task for the Commission, they write, will be to target the transformation of its own organisation. (2021:8epa)

Women at the Top of the European Commission – Drivers and Barriers

March 2021 • Blome Agnes, Hartlapp Miriam

Analysis

The European Commission is a key institution for EU policy but is only recently approaching gender equality. In this analysis, professors Miriam Hartlapp and Agnes Blome provide an overview of women’s representation at the top positions in the Commission and suggest actions for a better gender balance in the future. (2021:6epa)

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

Informal Groupings in EU Foreign Policy: A Sustainable Arrangement?

February 2021 • Amadio Viceré Maria Giulia

Analysis

The Lisbon Treaty aimed at a deeper integration of member states’ foreign policies at the EU level. Yet, EU external action is often steered by informal groupings of member states. Maria Giulia Amadio Viceré (EUI) describes these practices and assesses the implications through two criteria: effectiveness and accountability. (2021:2epa)