Research

Eurozone: Are the building blocks falling into place?

Eurozone: Are the building blocks falling into place?

Simon Tilford
26 September 2012
On the face of it, September was a good month for the euro. For once, market expectations were met. The European Central Bank (ECB) belatedly opened the way for action to address the ruinous polarisation of government borrowing costs in the eurozone.
What Romney would mean for Europe

What Romney would mean for Europe

Clara Marina O'Donnell
26 September 2012
As the US elections approach, Mitt Romney’s sometimes bellicose rhetoric on national security is raising European eyebrows. But many in Washington believe that if the Republican contender were to become president, US policies might not differ much from the last four years.
Cameron's choice: Play to the gallery or keep Britain safe

Cameron's choice: Play to the gallery or keep Britain safe

Hugo Brady
26 September 2012
Britain has a decision to make that has major implications for both its security and its influence within the EU. Should it opt out of most EU co-operation on crime and policing by 2014?
Bulletin issue 86

Issue 86 - 2012

Clara Marina O'Donnell, Hugo Brady, Simon Tilford
26 September 2012
François Hollande

Hollande, the Germans and 'political union'

25 September 2012
François Hollande wants a more equal Franco-German relationship. But tensions over managing the eurozone crisis and reforming EU treaties are straining that relationship.
Outsiders on the inside: Swiss and Norwegian lessons for the UK

Outsiders on the inside: Swiss and Norwegian lessons for the UK

David Buchan
24 September 2012
The Norwegian and Swiss association agreements with the EU increasingly frustrate many Norwegians, Swiss and the EU itself. They do not provide an attractive template for the UK.
Time for a European Civil Liberties Union?

Time for a European Civil Liberties Union?

Hugo Brady
21 September 2012
Liberty and the rule of law in central and eastern Europe needs a champion. A European Civil Liberties Union is part of the answer.
How seriously can investors take Draghi's assurances?

How seriously can investors take Draghi's assurances?

Simon Tilford
31 August 2012
The ECB's upcoming programme of government bond purchases will not be big enough to dispel investors' fears that troubled euro members might quit the currency union.
Will a new German constitution save the euro?

Will a new German constitution save the euro?

Katinka Barysch
29 August 2012
German politicians from government and opposition want a referendum on a new pro-European constitution. But this does not mean that Berlin is preparing for eurobonds.
Burma: An EU foreign policy success

Burma: An EU foreign policy success

23 August 2012
Burma's rulers could not modernise its economy unless the EU lifted sanctions. But the EU insisted on political reform, which is now happening.
Iceland & the EU

The Commission should stand firm on Iceland's accession negotiations

Stephen Tindale
08 August 2012
The world's longest running democracy would be a welcome member, but the EU should not lower standards on fishing or whaling to encourage Iceland to join.
Can 'good Italy' triumph over 'bad Italy'?

Can 'good Italy' triumph over 'bad Italy'?

01 August 2012
The euro may not survive unless Italy's reformers defeat those attached to privilege, monopoly, corruption and clientelism.
Europe needs a Rooseveltian break with fear

Europe needs a Rooseveltian break with fear

Hugo Brady
27 July 2012
The EU has four freedoms – for the movement of goods, services, capital and people. Today, it needs a fifth: the freedom from fear. The euro has become a political doomsday machine, a time-bomb that threatens to destroy the great achievements of European integration: peace, political stability and the creation...
A banking union – it is necessary, but is it likely?

A banking union – it is necessary, but is it likely?

Philip Whyte
27 July 2012
Could the EU's summit of June 29 come to be regarded as a watershed? Following umpteen crisis summits that have failed to tackle the root causes of the eurozone crisis, EU leaders finally got to the heart of the matter: the need to break the vicious interaction between weak banks...
Is the Franco-British defence treaty in trouble?

Is the Franco-British defence treaty in trouble?

Tomas Valasek
27 July 2012
In 2010, France and Britain agreed to strengthen defence collaboration, mainly to save money through common research and acquisition of military equipment. The economic crisis forced their hand: they needed greater economies of scale to preserve certain capabilities in the face of smaller defence budgets (which Britain cut two years...
Britain, Europe and the City of London

Britain, Europe and the City of London: Can the triangle be managed?

Philip Whyte
20 July 2012
The City of London's future will be shaped not just by a tougher regulatory environment, but also by uncertainties about Britain's relations with the EU.
What Central Europe thinks of Britain and why

What Central Europe thinks of Britain and why

Tomas Valasek
16 July 2012
Britain's plans to repatriate powers back from the EU require unanimous approval from other member-states. But not even the closest allies are prepared to give it.
Has the eurozone reached the limits of the politically possible?

Has the eurozone reached the limits of the politically possible?

Simon Tilford
12 July 2012
The limited measures agreed at June's summit are unlikely to take effect, suggesting that the eurozone has already reached the limits of the politically possible.
Britain should not go Swiss

Britain should not go Swiss

10 July 2012
Some British eurosceptics want the UK to be like Norway and Switzerland: semi-detached from the EU. They should be careful what they wish for.