In this European Policy Analysis, Magnus Jerneck argues that enhanced cooperation between the euro countries presents Sweden with a decisive challenge. According to the author, EU Member States that choose to remain outside the Monetary Union will find it increasingly difficult to exert influence in the EU.

According to the Europe 2020 strategy, public authorities in the European Union should make better use of public procurement in support of general societal goals such as good environmental protection and social conditions. This analysis discusses the proposal from the European Commission on new procurement rules that will enhance strategic use of public procurement.

The confidence in the European Union project is waning because distinctions between political and economic liberalism are not clearly defined, Sverker Gustavsson argues in this European Policy Analysis. Political parties, interest groups and opinion-makers should therefore explain the significance of the project and shed light on inconsistencies.

The economic crisis continues to affect trust in the EU project. In Sweden, as in most other Member States, drop in public support for the EU has been observed.

The right to launch a European citizens' initiative was introduced on 1 April 2012. It gives EU citizens the possibility to propose legislation on matters where the EU has competence to legislate, and a number of initiatives are today registered on the EU Commission´s special website.

Respect for human rights is a value upon which the European Union is founded, and a precondition for an aspirant state to be considered as a candidate for membership. Contrasting the fundamental rights discourse developing in the EU enlargement context and the situation within the EU, this European Policy Analysis shows the recurrent distortion between internal and external EU fundamental rights regimes, and sheds light on the on-going discussion to find ways of addressing it.

Facilitated access to justice constitutes one of the crucial elements of empowering consumers in the integrated European market. Out-of-court dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration, etc.

The Council of the European Union is certainly the most powerful institution of the European Union, as a major Community legislator – alone or with the European Parliament – and as an executive body. Still, there is only limited knowledge of the Council’s decision-making and how the Council reaches an agreement.

While the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) is generally viewed as an internal policy of the European Union, it also has a significant external dimension. Following several initiatives from the European Council, the EU has thus become a global player in areas such as migration policy, the fight against terrorism and organised crime.

Economic growth has been high on the European agenda for quite a while, with initiatives such as the Europe 2020 strategy and, more recently, the Compact for Growth and Jobs. The initiatives are numerous, but they do not necessarily lead to enhanced growth.