Opinions
South-East Europe needs zero-priced capital to boost growth
The region of former Yugoslavia and Albania has long ago been swallowed up by the EU. Yet, it is doomed to permanent marginalisation unless the EU does not open its structural and cohesion funds, or provide other source of zero-priced capital, writes Dušan Reljić.
Seizing the window of opportunity to rethink Brexit
The UK government is paralysed by Brexit as it reaches decision time over whether to agree a messy compromise or crash out with no deal. In the meantime, support for a second referendum is growing, writes Sandra Khadhouri.
Healthy rivers and lakes are not ‘nice-to-haves’, they are essential to our existence
Healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands are our life support system, but EU member states are trying to destroy the law that protects them and the window to save them is closing, warns Andreas Baumüller.
As Brazil moves right, what is left for Europe in Latin America?
Brazilian foreign policy under new President Jair Bolsonaro won’t focus on cooperation with neighbours in Latin America, so the EU should double down on its flexible approach to Latin America, says Gustavo Müller.
Pakistan, democracy and the demise of the independent press
Pakistan's new military-supported government is targeting independent media and poses a grave threat to the country's democracy, writes Shada Islam.
Electricity market must serve higher climate ambition
As negotiations on the EU’s new electricity market enter their crucial trialogue phase, the bloc faces a litmus test for the credibility of its climate ambition. With only two trialogues left, the fate of coal subsidies is still not sealed while COP24 is approaching, writes Joanna Flisowska.
Europe’s path to carbon neutrality: A move to ‘sobriété énergétique’?
What is 'sobriété énergétique' and what is its role in pushing Europe towards its carbon reduction goals? Kamila Waciega explains.
Electrifying Europe to win over populists
Some years ago, Europhobes were a few solitary but loud people who said they wanted to wipe out the European Union. Things have changed: now they are many more and became more ambiguous about their wishes, writes Beatriz Becerra.
Cohesion Policy and European Semester: Could they have more in common than we think?
Study shows that citizens’ concerns are directly linked to domestic policies, which are consistently the target of EU economic coordination priorities. That is why Cohesion Policy could help the European project, by making it relevant to citizens, writes Katie Cavell.
Come back, Mother Britannia!
Seeing Brexit crumble towards a single market fudge with no UK say, daughter Europa pleads to re-unite her mother - with her father Franz-Emmanuel, not the ideal home-maker.
A strong EV benchmark can cut transport emissions and help modernise Europe’s electricity grid
Over a century ago, electric vehicles (EVs) were the best-selling cars on the market. Bringing them back on today’s roads will not only help to decarbonise transport, but the energy sector too, with wider benefits for society, argues Julia Hildermeier.
Europe should protect its farmers, not big food multinationals
MEPs working on the 'unfair trade practices' directive risk handing a series of victories to food multinationals in the name of 'fairness for all', argues Christian Verschueren
Why rewarding renewable fuels under the truck CO2 regulation would be a bad idea
It may sound like a good thing to reward advanced fuels. But doing it under the CO2 standards for heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) would not achieve this goal and would only end up weakening EU fuel efficiency standards, says Cristina Mestre.
Spitzenkandidat is only as strong as the europarties make it
If the Spitzenkandidat process is to succeed it must be the result of a transparent primary, not a back-room deal, argue Henrik Vuornos and Juho Mäki-Lohiluoma.
Racism against one group eventually affects all
After the Pittsburgh Attack, Jews must unite with Muslims and other minorities, says Joseph Dana.Promoted content
Building a stronger Europe – the case for listed real estate
Listed real estate plays a key role in all aspects of our everyday lives and should be strongly represented in EU policymaking. From spearheading transparency to creating jobs across Europe, the unique contributions of listed real estate is more vital than ever to the EU economy, writes Tobias Steinmann.
Why Europe needs Alex Stubb
University Professor Brent F. Nelsen explains why his former student, Alexander Stubb, should be the next European Commission president.
Four priorities for a future-oriented Connecting Europe Facility
Swift implementation of the EU’s energy and climate commitments is only possible if the next EU budget gives a clear signal to invest in a transition to a low-carbon economy, write Lisa Fischer and Elisa Giannelli.
Will the EU take care of our bones?
In the next legislative term, EU policymakers will be called upon to tackle the risk factors of osteoporosis, a skeletal disorder which has never earned enough attention and is expected to take epidemic proportions in the decades to come, writes Andrea Giustina.
Brussels’ approach to Greater Eurasia in need of revision
It’s curious that the EU’s initiative “Connecting Europe and Asia” makes no mention of two of its most important players – the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Chinese “Belt and Road” Initiative, writes Yuri Kofner.
Britain’s capacity market for electricity: Lessons for Europe
The UK’s market-wide capacity mechanism for electricity provides a solution to a supply problem that has yet to emerge, writes Phil Baker. A targeted strategic reserve is likely to be a more cost-reflective alternative, he argues.
We need transition farming in the EU
European tastes are changing and so must farms, therefore we need to support a transition away from industrial animal farming, writes Alexandra Clark.Promoted content
Regulatory flaws in the Clean Energy Package, part 1 – The bidding zones: Shaky foundations of complex machinery
The ambition behind the Clean Energy Package is to create a liquid, pan-European electricity market. However, the crucial tool - the appropriate representation of the grid in market processes - has been significantly blunted and remains flawed.Promoted content
