EU institutions & treaties
Hungary and the West: We need to talk about Viktor
26 November 2014
Hungary under Viktor Orban is backsliding on democratic values. Member-states need to look for ways to bring Orban back into liberal European mainstream.
Juncker and his college: The unexpected reformer?
26 September 2014
Few believed that Juncker would champion changes in the way the EU does things.
Learning from Herman: A handbook for the European Council president
21 August 2014
Van Rompuy needs to forge a consensus on his successor. He should look in the mirror and seek a candidate with his own best characteristics.
Twelve things everyone should know about the European Court of Justice
22 July 2014
As EU judges prepare to rule on issues like the euro, Facebook and benefit tourism, Hugo Brady gives a political and legal analysis of the ECJ.
The eurozone is no place for poor countries
27 June 2014
The gap between the eurozone’s richer and poorer members is as wide as in 1999 and is growing. Poorer prospective members should take note.
Why the push to install Juncker is so damaging
23 June 2014
The battle for Juncker does not pit the British against Europe's democrats. It is a power grab by the European Parliament, combined with self-interested haggling by governments.
Business as usual is not acceptable
06 June 2014
The electoral success of populists in Britain and France has reinforced German dominance of the EU. It also makes a new EU treaty less likely.
Presidential candidates, European federalism and Charles Grant
03 June 2014
The EU needs economic and political federalism. And it should be more respectful of democracy. That means Jean-Claude Juncker should become Commission president.
The new European Commission: which president, and what priorities?
30 May 2014
The Commission needs a strong president. But if the Parliament gets its way and imposes a ‘designated candidate’, the Commission will have a weak leader.
Presidential candidates, European federalism and Tony Giddens
15 May 2014
The problem with ‘federalism’ is that most European citizens do not want it. This makes the federalist proposals in Tony Giddens’ new book unrealistic.
The green benefits of Britain's EU membership
30 April 2014
European rules have delivered cleaner air and water in Britain, and protected wildlife. Outside the EU, Britain would again be 'the dirty man of Europe'.
Quantitative easing alone will not do the trick
28 April 2014
In the eurozone, quantitative easing by itself is unlikely to be effective. The European Central Bank needs to change the way it manages people’s expectations, too.
Who will run Europe?
31 March 2014
EU leaders will soon decide who will run the club's institutions. They should choose heavyweights who can deliver far-reaching reforms.
Issue 95 - 2014
31 March 2014
- Poland and Ukraine: A tale of two economies, Simon Tilford
- Who will run Europe?, Charles Grant
- Human rights and policy wrongs, Ian Bond
Annual report 2013
10 February 2014
Charles Grant discusses the challenges facing the EU in 2014, such as the European elections, Britain's slide towards the exit and the continuing travails of the eurozone.
The EU's 'yellow card' comes of age: Subsidiarity unbound?
12 November 2013
National parliamentarians' rejection of a proposed prosecutor for the EU marks their arrival as serious players in how the Union is governed.
The 2014 European elections: Why a partisan Commission president would be bad for the EU
14 October 2013
A strong, independent, non-partisan Commission is vital for the EU and the euro. If political parties nominate its next president, the Commission could not referee EU rules.
How to build a modern European Union
10 October 2013
The CER proposes reforming the EU’s policies and institutions, to foster a more dynamic European economy and to make decision-making more accountable.
Continuity and change in Germany's EU policy
06 September 2013
Germany's EU policy is shifting. It will seek a 'grand bargain' with France but be tougher on the Commission. Treaty change is moving off the agenda.
What is wrong with the European Commission?
27 June 2013
The Commission should be strong and independent. But as it becomes dependent on the European Parliament, it is losing the respect of national capitals.