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)

From self-doubt to self-assurance: The European External Action Service as the indispensable support for a geopolitical EU

January 2021 • Blockmans Steven, Hillion Christophe, Vimont Pierre

Report

The rivalry of today’s world should induce the EU to act as a cohesive force. Yet, EU countries are still struggling to focus on the common interest. The 10th anniversary of the European External Action Service thus constitutes an opportune moment to reconsider its contribution to EU foreign policy. This report on the EEAS is the fruit of a research cooperation to which SIEPS has contributed. (January 2021)

Externa relationer

Protecting the rule of law in EU Member States and Candidate Countries

October 2020 • Bieber Florian, Kmezić Marko

Analysis

The respect for the rule of law is declining both in EU member states and in countries aspiring to membership. The EU therefore needs to step up its efforts and adopt a more inclusive, coherent, and transparent approach. This argument is developed by Marko Kmezić and Florian Bieber at the University of Graz. (2020:12epa)

Pre-allocated return flows vs. European public goods: How the veto impairs the quality of the EU budget

September 2020 • Tarschys Daniel

Analysis

The EU’s budget package adopted in July strengthens the Union’s financial capacity but contains concessions that imply cuts in investments for collective action. As long as each country has a veto right in the budgetary process, it will be hard to obtain resources for expenditures with a high European value added, argues Daniel Tarschys, senior advisor at SIEPS. (2020:10epa)

State Interests and Bargaining Power in the Reform of the Eurozone

August 2020 • Dellmuth Lisa, Lundgren Magnus, Tallberg Jonas

Report

Following the deep euro crisis, the EU governments agreed on eurozone reforms that constituted a substantial deepening of European integration. In this report, political scientists Lisa Dellmuth, Magnus Lundgren and Jonas Tallberg analyse the dynamics behind the eurozone reform and discuss implications for future policy. (2020:4)

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

EU Industrial Policy in a Globalised World - Effects on the Single Market

June 2020 • Andhov Marta, Bastidas Venegas Vladimir, Engberg Katarina, Hettne Jörgen, Papadopoulos Thomas, Wiberg Maria

Report

As the EU aims at strengthening the competitivity of European companies, the functioning of the Single Market comes to the fore. Is a more assertive industrial policy compatible with free and fair competition? This question is studied in a volume focusing on the legal instruments that govern the EU’s internal market. (2020:1op)