European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
briefings
Coronavirus: The second wave? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Since the end of the holiday season, the rate of Covid-19 infection has increased to levels now unseen since their peak in April 2020. Many cities, regions and now countries, have had to reinforce preventive measures. Continue reading
European Day of Languages: Digital survival of lesser-used languages
Since 2001, Europe has marked European Day of Languages each year on 26 September, in order to focus attention on its rich linguistic diversity. Continue reading
Outlook for the special European Council meeting of 24-25 September 2020
At the special European Council on 24-25 September 2020, EU Heads of State or Government are expected to dedicate much of their time to external relations issues, notably to a strategic discussion on Turkey and a debate on relations with China. Continue reading
Brexit: Towards the end-game [What Think Tanks are thinking]
There is now growing doubt about possible progress on the future relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Continue reading
EU–China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment: Levelling the playing field with China [International Agreements in Progress]
Lack of reciprocity in access to the Chinese market and the absence of a level playing field for EU investors in China have posed major challenges for EU-China investment relations in recent years, with the negotiation of a comprehensive agreement on investment (CAI) being considered by the EU a key instrument to remedy this state of play. Continue reading
The State of the Union 2020 [What Think Tanks are thinking]
In what has now become a tradition, every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the Union address before the 2020 European Parliament, taking stock of achievements over the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Continue reading
The State of the Union debate in the European Parliament, 2020
The State of the Union address of 2020 will be delivered at a time when the coronavirus pandemic continues to create challenges for the European Union and its Member States. Continue reading
The von der Leyen Commission’s six priorities: State of play in autumn 2020
In her statements to the European Parliament in July and November 2019, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the political priorities that would shape the Commission’s work programme for the years 2019 to 2024. The 2020 Commission work programme, adopted before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, mirrored these priorities. Continue reading
The EU and Russia: Locked into confrontation [Policy Podcast]
Following the post-Cold War reset of the 1990s, EU-Russia relations have become increasingly tense. Although initially seen as a pro-Western reformer, since the start of his first presidency in 2000 Vladimir Putin has shown increasingly authoritarian tendencies, and his efforts to assert Russian influence over post-Soviet neighbours threaten the sovereignty of those states. Continue reading
Nutrition labelling schemes used in Member States [Policy Podcast]
The controversial issue of ‘front-of-pack nutrition labelling’ (FOP labelling) has been high on the agenda of those following European food labelling issues for many years. Continue reading
Coronavirus: Masked in the heat? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The summer has initially brought some reprieve in the spread of coronavirus in Europe. However, a series of localised outbreaks gradually spread from one country to another and has transformed into a new upsurge affecting essentially younger age groups. Continue reading
Understanding the EU response to organised crime [Policy Podcast]
The EU has made substantial progress in terms of protecting its citizens since the early 1990s, often in response to dramatic incidents, such as mafia or other organised crime group murders, big money-laundering scandals, a steep increase in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings following the 2015 migration crisis, or – more recently – a sharp rise in cybercrime, fraud and counterfeiting during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
EU budget and recovery fund: Is it a done deal? [What Think Tanks are thinking]
After nearly five days of tough negotiations, the European Council agreed on the EU’s next seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), worth more than one trillion euros from 2021 to 2027, and crucially, on an additional 750-billion euro fund to help countries recover from the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Road and rail transport and coronavirus: Mapping the way out of the crisis
In the first weeks of the coronavirus crisis, the lockdown and border closures halted most passenger services in road and rail transport and left road hauliers to face uncertainty and very long waiting times at many border crossings. Continue reading
Outcome of the Special European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020
After almost five days of negotiations, the European Council finally reached a political agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021 to 2027 and a specific recovery instrument following the coronavirus crisis – Next Generation EU (NGEU) – together totalling €1 824.3 billion. Continue reading
Korean peninsula: State of play – Further uncertainty follows period of hope
North Korea and South Korea have been on different paths since World War II. The North has remained isolated and poor, its regime inspired by Soviet structures, with a centrally planned economy. Continue reading
Review of EU Enforcement Regulation for trade disputes [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 12 December 2019, the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 654/2014 concerning the exercise of the EU’s rights for the application and enforcement of international trade rules (‘the Enforcement Regulation’) of 15 May 2014. Continue reading
Impact of the pandemic on elections around the world: From safety concerns to political crises [Policy Podcast]
The coronavirus has taken a heavy toll on electoral processes around the world, with many elections being postponed because of emergency situations. Continue reading
Coronavirus: An uncertain future [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The spread of the coronavirus pandemic is reshaping the world economy and politics. Analysts and politicians argue that the extent of changes will depend of the persistence of the crisis and the ability of global powers to cooperate in efforts to contain and control it. Continue reading
Tracking key coronavirus restrictions on movement and social life
All the EU Member States adopted emergency measures in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading
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