Germany in the EU

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Germany in the EU (20)

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Germany and the Return Hubs Debate: Clearing the Fog

Berlin Perspectives

Germany’s debate on return hubs suffers from vague definitions. Clarifying its purpose, target groups, stay conditions, responsibilities, and potential host countries is essential for coherent policy, sound cost-benefit analysis assessment, and effective EU negotiations.

New Ambitions, Old Constraints: Germany’s Role in Shaping European Defence

Berlin Perspectives

Germany's security policy efforts don't live up to the need for a major reorientation of European security in the face of a hostile Russia and an uncertain US administration. German leadership is needed to drive fundamental systemic renewal that extends beyond reactive solutions.

Strengthening Rules-Based Trade: Germany's Role in EU Trade Policy

Berlin Perspectives

Germany and the EU must counter protectionism and fragmentation in global trade. The German government should therefore push for EU-level rules-based free trade agreements, foster EU unity and uphold European standards to ensure competitiveness and open markets.

After Zeitenwende: Germany and the Future of European Security

Berlin Perspectives

Three years after the ‘Zeitenwende, the pressure on Germany to take on more security policy responsibility remains high. More speed and leadership are needed to actively shape Europe's security architecture in times of global upheaval.

Permanent ‘temporary’ border controls?

Berlin Perspectives

At the time of the 40th anniversary of Schengen, Germany is controlling all borders. The controls are costly, legally questionable and can strain relations with neighbouring countries. Dr Johanna Hase provides a breakdown and possible solutions in Berlin Perspectives.

A new German European policy: Merz’ Intergovernmentalism or von der Leyen’s Supranationalisation?

Berlin Perspectives

Many eyes follow the ongoing coalition talks between the conversatives and social democrats closely: will the new German government take on a stronger leadership role in the European Union?Julian Plottka analyses how German European policy could develop in the future.

Study: German companies in Hungary

democratic backsliding

How do deficits in the rule of law in Hungary affect German companies and the European single market? The study defines 'illiberal economic policies' with which the Hungarian government wants to nationalize strategic sectors.

Germany and the latest EU reform proposals

Berlin Perspectives

In this edition of the Berlin Perspectives, the authors call on the German government to intensify its efforts of strengthening European democracy through reforms at the very beginning of the new European legislative period.

Rethink Poland: Poliy Paper

democratic backsliding

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.

Don’t forget the social dimension! Enabling social convergence in a new European governance framework

Berlin Perspectives

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.

Germany’s EU Climate Policy: A Call to Action

Berlin Perspectives

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.

Grand finale or just another episode: Agreeing on the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum

Berlin Perspectives

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.

Policy Paper: Defending liberal democracy

rethink Hungary

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.

The German “Zeitenwende”: implications for the European security architecture

Berlin Perspectives

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.

Needed: a comprehensive cross-sectoral EU reform package

Berlin Perspectives

The Conference on the Future of Europe concluded that the EU needs a fundamental reform to face current challenges. The German government and a group of like-minded states should propose a comprehensive cross-sectoral reform package with the European Monetary Union at its centre.

Reforming the EU’s electoral law: More EU democracy

Berlin Perspectives

The European Parliament proposes a reform of the European electoral law in order to strengthen EU-democracy. A core demand: EU-wide electoral lists. Germany should get off the side lines and support it proactively.

Breaking double standards in the EU’s migration policy

Berlin Perspectives

The reform of EU asylum and migration policy has been controversial for a long time. A values-based approach by some EU countries to circumvent vetoes by individual member states could counteract the dysfunctional structures in this area.

Strategic Foresight

The results of the Berlin Futures 2020/2021 strategy group were summarised in a policy brief, which was published in early 2022 as part of the Berlin Perspectives publication series.

Strategic foresight: imperative for good policy-making

Berlin Perspectives

Strategic foresight enables policymakers to be better prepared and more proactive in emergency policy responses. The new German government should use its term of office to better integrate foresight analysis into decision-making processes.

German-Nordic-Baltic assessments on shaping the future of Europe

The European project will remain sustainable as long as the EU is capable of change. During the 13th German-Nordic-Baltic Forum, experts discussed solutions for the EU in the world, its values and sustainability, and the Future Conference.