The European Pillar of Social Rights meets the Nordic model

January 2019 • de la Porte Caroline

Analysis

In November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was adopted at a summit in Gothenburg. While the initiative could lead to some changes, its value is above all symbolic, writes Caroline de la Porte, professor at Copenhagen Business School. (2019:2epa)

The Nordic-Baltic region in the EU: A loose club of friends

October 2018 • Kuusik Piret , Raik Kristi

Analysis

The three Nordic and the three Baltic countries cooperate informally within the EU. While the similarities are important, the differences should not be underestimated. One example is security in the Baltic region – an area where there are shared interests but policy responses based on different experiences.

Doing Good, but Reluctant to Talk About It: The Swedish Riksdag and EU Affairs

August 2018 • Auel Katrin

Analysis

The Swedish Riksdag is one of the most powerful parliaments in terms of engagement in EU affairs. It could however do better – by prioritising the most important issues and debating them publicly. Katrin Auel is Associate Professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna, Austria. (2018:9epa)

From Pro-European Alliance to Eurosceptic Protest Group? The case of the Visegrad Group

June 2018 • Végh Zsuzsanna

Analysis

The goal of entering the EU used to unify the Visegrad countries. Today, they are increasingly critical of the EU, especially concerning migration. Behind the unity there are however key differences.

The Future of the Economic and Monetary Union: Reform Perspectives in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands

June 2018 • Eriksson Jonas , Destais Christophe , Jones Erik , Schout Adriaan , Schwarzer Daniela

Report

In the discussion about EU’s future, a euro area reform is one of the main priorities. Regarding the scope of the reforms, the position defended by Germany will be crucial, but the EMU members’ differing views of the Economic and Monetary Union also need to be considered. This anthology collects perspectives from Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands. (2018:1op)

National co-financing of CAP direct payments

March 2018 • Matthews Alan

Analysis

The Member States should take greater ownership of EU agricultural policy. A co-financing model would also close the funding gap caused by Brexit, writes Professor Alan Matthews.

Mapping the Quality of Government in Europe: An analysis at the national and regional level within the EU member states

March 2018 • Charron Nicholas , Lapuente Victor , Rothstein Bo

Report

No society is free from corruption. According to this study, by Nicholas Charron, Victor Lapuente and Bo Rothstein, weak governance structures are also closely related to the considerable socio-economic differences across EU regions. (2018:2)

Medlemsstaterna

Italy and the Completion of the Euro Area

February 2018 • Jones Erik

Analysis

Italy was selected to join the euro among the first group of EU member states. The country’s experience of the single currency is however mixed, which has led to a sceptical attitude towards the euro reforms proposed.

Medlemsstaterna

EU agencies on the move: challenges ahead

January 2018 • Vos Ellen

Report

Since the 1990’s, the number of EU agencies has increased steadily and rapidly. While they have been given more discretionary powers, the mechanisms of control and accountability have not kept up with this development.

EU:s uppbyggnad och styrning

Policy conditionality – a new instrument in the EU budget post-2020?

November 2017 • Kölling Mario

Analysis

The EU is facing a range of significant long-term challenges with budget implications. In this context, both the EU institutions and the Member States seem intent on focussing more on the concept of European added value. One much debated budget instrument is policy conditionality.