News

What is needed for a new German strategy towards Poland in view of the change of government in Warsaw in late 2023? This includes the revival of the Weimar Triangle, a proactive rapprochement on an equal footing and the search for synergies at EU level.

The planned new economic governance framework of the EU is of utter importance not only in a pure economic sense: It will determine the place of the social dimension within the integration process.

What strategic priorities should the EU set considering global circumstances in 2024, the European election year? Experts discussed these and other questions with Jim Cloos, Secretary General of the Trans European Studies Association (TEPSA).

Germany is expected to champion the EU’s green transition and fight against climate change. This Berlin Perspective policy brief explores how Germany has often failed to fulfil these expectations and how it can live up to them in the future.

The background papers take a look at current topics related to Belarus: one sheds light on current challenges faced by Belarusians in the diaspora, while the other analyses the behaviour of the Belarusian regime in an international context.

A few months before the next European elections, the pressure on decision-makers to reach an agreement on the new migration and asylum package is high. The new Berlin Perspectives provides an assessment of how the new rules should be implemented.

While the European Commission is the ‘Guardian of the Treaties’, there is also potential for stronger protection of the EU’s fundamental values by its member states. Germany should increase its cooperation with like-minded member states to defend democracy and the rule of law.

How successful are democratisation processes in the Western Balkans? This Policy Brief sheds light on the EU’s approach towards democratic processes in the region and suggests ways forward how to support them more effectively

Democracy and the rule of law have been eroding in Hungary since 2010. In view of Hungary's tendencies towards autocratization, the policy paper contains recommendations on how the German government should respond bilaterally, multilaterally, and at the EU level.

From policy problem to communication of possible solutions: The toolbox guides young think tankers and researchers through the process of creating an analytical publication with many practical tips, examples and templates.

The EU has withdrawn from Latin America and the Caribbean in the last decade, but needs to win back its traditional partners to strengthen multilateralism. Recognising ideational differences on how to promote democracy, development and peace would be a step in this direction.

Hungary's dismantling of the rule of law is not only presenting the EU with ever new problems. The German government, too, is challenged to react more strongly to Hungary's autocratization under the impression of the “Zeitenwende”.

The conflict over the rule of law has not only revealed cracks in the European foundation. It also shows how determined the "rule breakers" were to avoid the consequences of their actions, even sabotaging the EU's decision-making processes.

What measures can support the socio-economic development in the Western Balkans in a sustainable way? Proposals can be found in our newly published WB2EU Policy Brief.

The current conflict over the rule of law is increasingly straining relations between Hungary and the EU. The conflict is becoming increasingly problematic for German stakeholders, too. Hungary is blocking important EU decisions and increasing the pressure on German companies.

The old debate on widening and deepening the EU is back. The EU needs to compose the right package between internal reforms and enlargement while at the same time adjusting its enlargement policy as such. Variable geometries of Europe can provide a helpful stepping stone.

Difficulties, challenges and opportunities - the publication "Voices of the Belarusian Diaspora" takes an analytical and practical look at Belarusian activists in exile.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has provoked significant changes in German foreign policy. It highlights the need to act as a guarantor of European security. Dr Jana Puglierin outlines the challenges this poses in this Berlin Perspectives.

The new budget conditionality mechanism opens pathways to effectively curbing democratic backsliding in the EU. Making use of its proclaimed "Zeitenwende", Germany should use its leverage and take a more pro-active approach – as in the case of Poland – to defend the rule of law.

The WB2EU Summer School for you professionals, scientists and activists took place on the Croatian island of Cres. At the center were topic such as youth participation, enlargement of the European Union (EU) and democratisations.