European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EPRS Strategy
Challenges for the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The European Union faces challenges, such as in relation to migration and stagnant economic growth, which test its ability to offer solutions to its citizens. Some politicians and analysts have called for a reform of the EU to shore up popular support for European integration 60 years after the signing of … Continue reading
Latest thinking on Brexit [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The United Kingdom is preparing to meet the deadline it has set itself of end-March 2017 for launching the formal procedure to leave the European Union. Following a UK Supreme Court ruling, triggering Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty now requires that the UK Parliament pass legislation on the matter, … Continue reading
The EU and migration [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, At their meeting in Malta on 3 February, 2017, EU heads of states and government endorsed further objectives to ease the migratory challenge, with a view to stemming irregular migration flows through the central Mediterranean route. The plan foresees ‘immediate operational measures’ focused on training and supporting the Libyan coastguard in … Continue reading
Cyber-security [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Allegations of interference in the US electoral campaign in 2016 through cyber espionage and leaks have put the spotlight on cyber-security and cybercrime, not only for ensuring financial or strategic advantages, but increasingly as means of pursuing political aims. As digital technologies grow in importance, the clear view among analysts is … Continue reading
US President Donald Trump [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Donald Trump has begun his four-year term as the US President by moving to deliver on some of his campaign promises, such on Obamacare, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Analysts and politicians agree that the Trump presidency will have wide-ranging implications for trade, international … Continue reading
EU budget reform [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, A long-running discussion on reforming the European Union’s budget gained momentum when the High-Level Group on Own Resources, led by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, presented its report in January 2017. The report proposes simpler methods for funding the EU, to make it less reliant on direct contributions from Member … Continue reading
With a unified approach, the EU could boost its global role – EPRS conference
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Economic decisions taken at inter- and supranational level have recently come under fire from populists and protectionists. However, with better coordination between Member States, the European Union could play a stronger role in representing the needs of its citizens in global economic governance. Concerted pressure from EU and euro area countries … Continue reading
Capital Markets Union [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Since the 2008 financial crunch and the ensuing recession, the European Union has been overhauling its regulation of financial markets to try to avoid any repetition of the crisis and to shore up economic growth. The current European Commission has prioritised the creation of Capital Markets Union, which would encourage companies … Continue reading
2016: A Year of Shifts and Shocks [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, 2016 may rank as an ‘annus horibilis’ for the European Union – a year when it confronted several simultaneous crises, or a ‘polycrisis’ as the President of the European Commission characterised the situation, including the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU, deadly terrorist attacks, migration pressures, growing Russian assertiveness, eurozone … Continue reading
The EU and the fight against terrorism [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Following the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015 and in Brussels and Nice this year, the European Union is moving ahead with its Security Union concept to help strengthen internal security cooperation, combat terrorism and prevent youth radicalisation. As part of anti-terrorist efforts, the European Parliament and the Council are … Continue reading
Time to get tough on tax avoidance: EPRS-OECD conference
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Despite substantial progress in recent years, countries worldwide should step up the fight against corporate tax evasion and tax avoidance, as they deprive governments of much needed funds at a time of fiscal austerity. These activities exacerbate social inequalities that fuel populism, according to politicians and analysts speaking at a conference … Continue reading
EU Defence [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Europe’s increasingly unstable neighbourhood, Britain’s plans to leave the European Union and a search for potentially successful areas of cooperation amid several crises have all renewed momentum for increased EU defence cooperation. Plans for stronger military ties among EU Member States, already envisaged in the recent EU Global Strategy, have received … Continue reading
EU energy policy [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, On 30 November, the European Commission unveiled its ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans‘ legislative package, which it hopes will mark a major step twards creating an Energy Union that ensures a functioning internal market in gas and electricity, addresses security of supply issues, promotes renewable energy sources, encourages energy efficiency and … Continue reading
The EU’s Eastern Partnership [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 as a regional programme of the European Neighbourhood Policy to promote integration and cooperation between the European Union, its Member States and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It has achieved limited progress, partly due to conflicts and political instability in the region. … Continue reading
The upcoming Trump Presidency [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, won the US presidential election on 8 November, unexpectedly defeating the Democratic nominee, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, after a bitter campaign during which the business tycoon, with little political experience, made a number of controversial promises to radically change the government’s policies on migration, … Continue reading
US elections [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The United States choose their next president on 8 November, with implications for international relations, security, trade and fight against climate change. The vote follows an acrimonious campaign, which analysts say points to a deeply divided nation on issues such as the US international role, immigration, social protection, taxation as well … Continue reading
Brexit: Implications and outlook [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Uncertainty about the future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom has contributed to turbulence on financial markets and in European politics, following the country’s vote by referendum on 23 June to leave the EU. The new British Prime Minister, Teresa May, detailed some of her plans in a … Continue reading
Russia and security in Europe [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Russia’s assertive foreign policy, its annexation of Crimea and conflict with Ukraine have challenged the post-Cold War security order in Europe, highlighting the need for NATO and the European Union to bolster defence strategies, according to many analysts and politicians. The EU, along with the United States, has imposed sanctions against … Continue reading
The EU’s global role [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, As foreseen in the European Union’s updated global strategy, the Union aims to play a stronger role in international affairs and conflict resolution, to reinforce a rules-based global order in an increasingly complex world and to better coordinate internal and external actions to bolster security and defence. The document, entitled “Shared … Continue reading
The EU and migration [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The migration crisis has eased since the agreement in March between the European Union and Turkey closed one major route through which people had been trying to reach Europe. A long-term solution to a better management of migration flows still appears elusive, as the Turkey deal could still unravel and other … Continue reading
