Opinions
The Five Star Movement’s attempt to create a European Parliament group
Leaders of 5 parties from Italy, Poland, Croatia, Finland and Greece met in Rome last week to sign an electoral manifesto. Piotr Kaczyński has followed the event and offers his impressions and comments.
E-trucks: European automakers’ third and final chance to get electrification right
Have European manufacturers learned from developments in the car and bus markets? Or will American and Chinese companies lead the way to tomorrow's zero emission freight transport? Lucien Mathieu poses some tough questions ahead of a big decision by EU negotiators.Promoted content
Terrorist legislation: the EU is on the right track but isn’t there yet
Targeting the wrong players: last autumn, the European Commission proposal to remove terrorist content online sent shockwaves through Europe’s cloud infrastructure community. Since then, real progress has been made in improving the Regulation—but more needs to be done.Promoted content
Regulatory flaws in Clean Energy Package, part 2: Can bad legislation deliver good regulation?
New rules on the internal electricity market, part of the Clean Energy Package (CEP), will soon be adopted. Volume, time pressure, complexity, and political weight took a toll on legislative quality – possibly leading to cumbersome implementation, writes Juliusz Kowalczyk.
Ukraine’s elections highlight deep divides over natural gas
The direction of Ukraine’s energy policies is of great interest to observers in Brussels and the European capitals, as a stable and prosperous Ukraine would increase overall European energy security, writes Robert Rapier.
An opportunity for transatlantic unity on Iran
This week marks the 40th anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the Shah in Iran and created the Islamic Republic. It is a good time to review the position of the European Union and its member states towards this totalitarian theocracy, argues Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
Do we really want driverless cars?
Without a doubt, fully automated cars are coming to a road near you – and soon. But if the mesmerized governments and technocrats don’t pause to address the concerns of the man and woman on the street, they may find themselves facing social upheaval on a massive scale, writes Jonathan Gornall.
The beacon of sustainable finance in Europe must not lose its flame
One year after the High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance released its final report, the follow up on its recommendations is lagging somewhat behind, writes Catherine Howarth.Promoted content
Web under censorship threat
If the European project of the Directive on Copyright Law in the Digital Single Market becomes reality in its current shape, the Internet will no longer remain a place of free access to information and democratic debate, writes Michal Kanownik.
The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo
The EU finally needs to make good on its oft-repeated promise to grant visa free travel to Kosovo, says Behgjet Pachouli.
A new era for securitisation?
The coming into force of the simple, transparent and standardised (STS) securitisation rules in January was intended to mark a fresh start for securitisation within Europe. Richard Hopkin examines the likely effects of the EU's new rules on securitisation across the bloc.Promoted content
The economic and social imperative of developing digital skills
We are experiencing the most rapid period of technological change since the industrial revolution. It’s being driven by a collection of interrelated technologies - fast communication networks, the internet of things, robotics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence - which are unique in scale, reach and the speed at which they are changing our societies and economies.
How robotics will shape Europe – and the policy that will support it
Lawmakers need to focus on solving ethical questions and on the robotics technologies that will improve daily life, writes Eva Kaili.
EU governments must drive investors’ money where their mouth is
There is a big risk that the European Commission’s proposals on sustainable finance will be watered down when EU member states examine the draft legislation, warn Lis Cunha, Sebastien Godinot and Rachel Owens.
Four things the EU should do to strengthen climate action before this mandate ends
EU institutions still have time for a series of concrete actions to strengthen climate policy before their mandate ends and get their successors off to a flying start, write Sanjeev Kumar and Edward Robinson.
Aviation risks undercutting EU’s new renewables rules
The ink is barely dry on the EU’s revised renewable energy policy and already it is under threat from the aviation sector, warn Jori Sihvonen and Andrew Murphy.
No water, no reuse
The European Parliament can save the entire water reuse project, or render the whole exercise until now worthless when it votes on 12 February, writes Roberto Mazzini.
Entrepreneurial skills as a vital tool to empower young people in Europe
European Union as the leading power of innovation and technological progress is by all means a great idea. But what are we doing today to achieve this vision of tomorrow? I believe that in order to make the EU a competitive and resilient partner, we must invest in people and focus on education now more than ever, writes Martina Dlabajová.
Why Kosovo needs to postpone the ‘final’ round of dialogue with Serbia
Kosovo's leaders have got themselves in a serious political crisis. They need to re-set the clock and the agenda of talks with Serbia, write Leke Batalli and Perparim Kryeziu.
Make lobbying in the EU truly transparent
The Commission is a good example of transparency for other institutions, such as the Parliament and the Council, Frans Timmermans writes.
Why do foreign investors leave Bulgaria as if it were the Titanic?
Despite being one of the most beautiful countries in the European Union, despite having talented and educated people, despite a favourable tax environment, Bulgaria is likely to stay as the poorest in the EU, and to continue losing its population, writes Blaga Thavard.Promoted content
Why Europe and Huawei need to stick together
Europe and Huawei have a lot in common, and it is in our shared interest to join hands as we step into the digital age, writes Abraham Liu.Promoted content
Europe’s palm oil strategy is fading
A vote by the French National Assembly to exclude palm oil from their list of eligible biofuels will have implications for the EU's new renewable energy law, writes Pierre Bois d’Enghien.