Construction of a new solar park (symbolic image)
© picture alliance / SZ Photo | Johannes Simon
Construction of a new solar park (symbolic image)
© picture alliance / SZ Photo | Johannes Simon
The European Parliament plays an important role in EU law-making and key political decisions. The European heads of state and governments, led by the President of the European Council, adopt a Strategic Agenda every five years. This is an expression of the medium to long-term priorities of the EU and its member states and a response to current crises and political upheavals. These topics are therefore expected to play an important role, especially in the upcoming European elections, and the campaigns will largely be focused on them. Four topics are currently taking centre stage:
The first is the Union's highly controversial climate and energy policy. While the 2019 European elections were still perceived as "climate elections" and flagship projects such as the European Green Deal were central cornerstones of the political discourse, attention shifted first to the Covid-19 pandemic and how to combat it effectively, and then to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. This issue is closely linked to the future of European energy security, given the energy dependency on hostile actors such as Russia. The effects of this dependency have become painfully apparent, and there are continuing challenges in the expansion of renewable energies across Europe. Secondly, not only the Russian war of aggression and the Covid-19 pandemic, but also the increasing loss of competitiveness to China and the US have highlighted the need to protect the European economy and competitiveness more effectively and more strongly than before. A key point of discussion during the elections and for the Strategic Agenda will therefore be which instruments and how much joint funding should be used to strengthen the EU economy.
A third focal point is European asylum and migration policy. Shortly before the elections, after years of negotiations, the Council and the Parliament adopted the reform of the "Common European Asylum System". The question now is how to implement the reforms and whether they are on the right track. At the same time, the treatment and control of illegal migration remains highly controversial in many member states.
Finally, the question of how to organise European security and assert common interests in the world has come to the fore in the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The war in Gaza, on which the EU states have very different positions, is also challenging the Union. In addition, the uncertain future of US support and the military threat perceived by many Central and Eastern European states from Russia have intensified the debate about whether and how European states should work more closely together militarily - in the EU, NATO and/or within groups.
Beyond the elections, recent SWP publications on these four topics can be found here:
doi:10.18449/2023C34
The United Nations has adopted a treaty to protect the high seas. To leverage the potential of the new “High Seas Treaty” as a global hub for ocean governance, the EU and Germany should start planning now how to engage strategically within this forum, argue Miranda Boettcher and Gerrit Hansen.
Europe needs to clarify the balance between protection and use
doi:10.18449/2023C12
Credibility and trust in international climate politics after COP 27
doi:10.18449/2023C10
A Legal, Practical and Political Assessment of Current Proposals
doi:10.18449/2024C13
From Short-term Protection to Longer-term Perspectives
doi:10.18449/2022C26
The Potential of Mercosur Countries to Advance the EU’s Global Health Strategy
doi:10.18449/2024C05
Between Strategic Autonomy and Structural Weakness
doi:10.18449/2024RP02
How Germany Can Contribute to a New Global Health Architecture after Covid-19 Amid Growing Geopolitical Tensions
doi:10.18449/2023C57
The main point of contention in the negotiations on the pandemic accord is the fair distribution of medical supplies. Resolving it requires an unconditional obligation to share medical countermeasures, say Michael Bayerlein, Pedro A. Villarreal and Fernanda Cimini.
It could become the world’s largest free trade area. As a condition for the EU’s unilateral requirements, the Mercosur countries are now demanding cooperation and trade benefits – rightly so, and it will set an example for other agreements, say Bettina Rudloff and Tobias Stoll.
Despite the war in Ukraine and high inflation, the role of the euro in the global economy remained stable in 2022. The problems in strengthening its international role reflect the obstacles to further EU economic integration, says Paweł Tokarski.
Europe’s Cyber Foreign and Security Policy as a Test Run
doi:10.18449/2024C19
Ambitions to Disrupt Malicious Cyber Activity Need to Protect Norms as Well as Networks
doi:10.18449/2023C48
A group of EU member states want to change from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the Common Foreign and Security Policy. A more efficient CFSP should be implemented in a step-by-step approach overseen by the European Parliament, argues Annegret Bendiek.
Narratives and Priorities for Europe after Russia’s Attack on Ukraine
doi:10.18449/2022C31
