All Eyes on Orbán
The European Parliament’s censure of Viktor Orbán could spark a political realignment that creates the most powerful far-right movement in Europe since 1945.
Sweden’s Impasse
Sweden’s centrist parties are facing difficult coalition negotiations after failing to win a majority in Sunday’s election. The far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, meanwhile, surged …
Manfred Weber’s Balancing Act
The CSU politician is bidding to unite Angela Merkel’s center-right and Viktor Orbán’s hard-right strands of conservatism.
A Debate about Military Service Fills Germany’s Summer Void
While the government and Chancellor Angela Merkel are taking their summer break, a debate over military service has dominated Germany’s headlines.
In Stormy Times, the CSU Turns to Anchor Centers
Bavaria’s ruling Christian Social Union (CSU) has unveiled new centralized migrant facilities it hopes will expedite the asylum process—and salvage its chances in a looming state poll.
It’s Not Just Trump
Trump’s provocations and bullying grab the headlines. But there are also structural factors causing transatlantic tension.
Trade Wars: The US, China, and Europe in Between
Washington’s trade war with China continues to escalate. The tit-for-tat row has forced Washington’s traditional partners to seek new alliances, says GIGA president Amrita Narlikar.
Calling His Bluff
According to insiders, Donald Trump threatened to pull the US out of NATO at a testy Brussels summit. The alliance is on shakier ground than ever before.
Germany’s Other Problems
As the German government goes on summer break, many of the country’s most pressing issues have been neglected due to the row over migration. …
Boiling Point
The US-Europe partnership living in a powder keg, and many fear that at the NATO summit in Brussels next week, Donald Trump will light a match.
How Merkel Survived, Again
The German chancellor staved off a government collapse with an eleventh-hour deal to save her conservative bloc. But Angela Merkel’s power is waning.
Knock-On Effect
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Bavarian interior minister Horst Seehofer have reached a deal. But this migration fight isn’t over, not in Germany and not in the EU.
How Erdoğan Won Again
With this victory, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will assume extensive presidential powers—but the Turkish opposition still has something to build on.
Germany’s Real LNG Strategy
Germany’s government has endorsed imports of liquid natural gas for the first time—but not because of Russia and Nord Stream 2.
Idlib’s Impending Tragedy
Idlib threatens to be the next big flare-up in Syria’s civil war. Germany can play a decisive role in preventing a tragedy.
The Flaws of the Merkel Method
The German chancellor has great tactical skills. But that’s not enough anymore to fend off populism and move Europe forward.
What’s In a Name?
Recent agreement in a long-running naming dispute between Greece and Macedonia has been hailed as a breakthrough. But nomenclature aside, not all is well in the Balkans.
+++ The coronavirus crisis has brought Europe and the rest of the world to a standstill. What are the effects of the pandemic on international affairs? The future of the EU depends on how it handles the crisis, argues Daniela Schwarzer. Much is riding on the German EU presidency. David Goodhart makes the case for a retreat from hyperglobalization, and Richard Sennett foresees big changes coming to our way of life; Efi Koutsokosta profiles Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis; Noah Gordon, in his Carbon Critical column, points out that solar, like oil, has its overcapacity problems; and much more +++
European Encounters (#EuropeCounts), supported by Stiftung Mercator (2017-18), aims at contributing toward building a European public. Europeans from different ends and spheres of the continent exchange views on topics relevant to the whole EU. It’s time to make discussions truly European.
BERLIN POLICY JOURNAL is a bimonthly digital magazine on European affairs, edited in Germany’s capital and published by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). It is best read via our app – on GooglePlay and the Apple AppStore – on tablets and smart phones.