It is right to include the building sector in a separate European Emissions Trading System that is as unbureaucratic as possible. Reinvesting the additional revenues in climate protection measures is also right and important – but here, it has to be ensured that revenues also fully benefit the respective sector from which they originate.A double […]
In recent years, the digital policy debate in Germany has been dominated by headlines about failed IT projects and the ever-growing gap between Germany and European leaders such as Denmark, Finland, and Estonia. The new federal government now finally wants to initiate a long-awaited turnaround and promises a comprehensive digital awakening in the coalition agreement. […]
One of the most striking messages from the new German coalition agreement refers to the rule of law in the European Union. The so-called traffic light parties not only urge the EU Commission “to use the existing rule of law instruments more consistently and in a timely manner,” but they also maintain that Berlin will […]
In the primaries of the conservative party Les Républicains (LR) Valérie Pécresse had luck on her side. No more than 3,500 votes separated the relevant candidates Bertrand, Barnier, Ciotti, and Pécresse, and the entry of the only woman into the second round was a surprise for most observers. In the run-off against far-right representative Éric […]
It was only almost four years ago that a new German government set out a “new departure” for Europe.Only in this way would Germany be able to guarantee peace, security, and prosperity for its citizens in the long term, it said on the first pages of the coalition agreement in 2018. After taking office, the […]
As in many areas of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, it is challenging for member states to agree on coherent responses to cyber attacks. Attribution, i.e. the recognition and attribution of an incident to an attacker, is technically and legally demanding. Not all Member States have the capacity. The naming of those responsible for […]
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, may not appeal to everyone – especially European Union leaders put off by Brexit. But the UK is hosting the latest round of global climate negotiations, COP26, in Glasgow next month, so the EU must put aside its issues with Johnson and come ready to work.Up to this […]
2022 will be a decisive year for the energy transition in Germany. The expansion of renewable energies is faltering – and at the same time, our electricity consumption is increasing due to electromobility, electricity-powered heat pumps, and, in the future, hydrogen electrolysis. Just a few days ago, the German Federal Ministry of Economics raised its […]
It is that time again: Next week is the plenary sitting in Strasbourg. Among other things, money and buildings will be debated and voted on. In the corridors of the Brussels EP building, the dark green suitcases are already at the ready.What is it about? About an amendment tabled by MEP Nils Ušakovs from the […]
Some fear that this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference – to be held here on November 6-18 – will be an unintended casualty of the geopolitical tensions and economic challenges the world is facing. I believe the opposite: COP27 represents a unique and timely opportunity for the world to come together, recognize our common […]