Publications

Perspective

Kan nya pensionssystem stärka konkurrenskraften i EU?

Greater commitments and ageing populations are placing pressure on public spending in EU Member States. Economic growth therefore needs to increase – along with the availability of capital. Reformed pension systems could be one possible way forward, writes Monika Hjeds Löfmark, Senior Researcher in Economics at SIEPS.

Monika Hjeds Löfmark October 2025 2025:7p
Report

The New EU Industrial Policy:
A paradigm shift in need of coordination and funding

Industrial policy at the EU level has become more active, assertive, green and sectoral. This paradigm shift may however weaken competition in the single market as well as the cohesion within the EU. Given these challenges, this report provides support for new ways of financing and coordinating a more common industrial policy.

Adam A. Ambroziak September 2025 2025:2
European Policy Analysis

Political Union First: France's Conditional Embrace of EU Enlargement

France’s view on EU enlargement has shifted. In the wake of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and with the ambition of strategic autonomy, Paris has moved from reluctant to engaged. However, as this analysis shows, there is also continuity: France still insists on the functioning of the EU as a political union, strict conditionality and its own role as a central agenda-setter.

Natasha Wunsch September 2025 2025:14epa
European Policy Analysis

One Fund to Rule Them All: An analysis of the proposed European Competitiveness Fund

In July 2025, the EU Commission proposed a Competitiveness Fund as a response to Draghi’s call for a European “investment shock.” This analysis, which examines the main elements and the governance of the new fund, shows that it could have a huge impact on the EU’s ability to act as an industrial policy player, the EU’s internal balance of power and the future of the internal market.

Johannes Jarlebring September 2025 2025:13epa
European Policy Analysis

European Defence
Under the Treaties

Escalating geopolitical challenges and threats have led to an intensified defence collaboration within the EU, an area essentially controlled by the Member States. This analysis examines the constitutional framework for defence policy initiatives at EU level and concludes that there is a mismatch between the Treaties and the current political reality.

Anna Horn September 2025 2025:12epa
OP

Perspectives on enlargement and reform of the EU: Fit for 35

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally transformed the security situation in Europe and brought back EU enlargement on the agenda. In this volume, eight leading experts discuss what it takes to make enlargement work: how to achieve peace, security and stability in Europe by enlarging the EU, and how to link enlargement to internal reform of the EU. The contributions were originally published in SIEPS’ series ‘FitFor35 Forum’.

Veronica Anghel, Steven Blockmans, Antoaneta L. Dimitrova, Christophe Hillion, Saskia Hollander, Erik Jones, Valentin Kreilinger (ed.), Michael Leigh, Daniela Schwarzer, Göran von Sydow (ed.), Patricia Wadensjö (ed.) August 2025 2025:2op
European Policy Analysis

Attityder till att införa euro i Sverige 2003–2024: En förändrad opinion

In recent years, there has been a shift in Swedish public opinion on the euro – the proportion of people who are in favour of introducing the European currency in Sweden has increased. This analysis examines how Swedish public opinion on the euro has changed over time, the ideological and socio-economic factors that influence it, and how the international situation appears to affect Swedes' views.

Lisa Lundgren June 2025 2025:11epa
European Policy Analysis

När spelreglerna skrivs om:
Hur ändras EU:s fördrag?

The question of treaty change has come to the forefront due to the major challenges facing the EU: from geopolitics and enlargement to competitiveness and respect for the rule of law. But what does it take to change the EU treaties? This analysis maps out the procedures that apply to different kinds of treaty amendments. Some are extensive, others simplified – but all are complex and fraught with risk.

Anna Södersten June 2025 2025:10epa
European Policy Analysis

The ‘Spitzenkandidaten saga’ 2014, 2019, 2024 Three races to become Commission President

The role of President of the European Commission is the most significant among the top-level positions within the EU. This analysis evaluates the procedure by which the Commission President is appointed. While the aim is to make the EU more democratic, the character of the EU system makes the procedure complex and ambiguous as well as hard to change.

Valentin Kreilinger May 2025 2025:9epa
Perspective

Storbritannien efter brexit:
minskad handel med EU och lägre tillväxt

At the EU-UK summit on 19 May, the UK secured trade concessions on food and agricultural products in exchange for an extension of EU fishing rights in UK waters. In this perspective, Harry Flam, Senior Advisor at SIEPS, accounts for the UK's reduced economic growth and trade with the EU since Brexit. Could the economic impact increase the likelihood of future re-entry into the EU?

Harry Flam May 2025 2025:6p