Germany

Ukraine

Russia

Energy

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke against banning imports of Russian oil and natural gas, Politico reported March 7.

Germany: Government Opposes Banning Russian Oil, Gas Imports

EU: Regional Blocs

Europe

Economics

Politics

Environment, Science & Technology

The European Commission officially presented its "taxonomy" for sustainable activities, which establishes which energy sources and economic activities can be considered "green" and therefore eligible for EU, national and private investment and subsidies, AP reported Feb. 2.

EU: European Commission Unveils 'Taxonomy' of Sustainable Energy Sources

Divided EU Foreign Policies

The Fate of the Eurozone

Environmental Issues

Germany’s parliament elected Olaf Scholz as chancellor, and he will lead a Cabinet made up of seven ministers from his center-left Social Democratic Party, five from the Greens and four from the pro-business Free Democratic Party, Deutsche Welle reported Dec. 8.

Germany: Olaf Scholz Elected Chancellor of Coalition Government

COVID-19

The European Commission has prepared a proposal that would grant it the power to impose economic sanctions on individuals, companies and countries that threaten the European Union without member state approval, Politico reported Dec. 6.

EU: European Commission Wants Power to Sanction Without Member State Approval

Slovenia

Slovenia held a summit of countries from the Western Balkans that aspire to join the European Union, Euractiv reported May 17. The Slovenian government said it will work to accelerate the accession process when it takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency on June 1.

Slovenia: Government Pledges to Accelerate EU Enlargement of Balkans

United Kingdom

Ireland

European Disintegration

U.K. and EU representatives have agreed to continue negotiations on de-escalating tensions over the implementation of customs controls in Northern Ireland, the Financial Times reported April 15. 

Northern Ireland: U.K. and EU Agree to Continue Talks Over Customs Controls

Supply Chains

Brexit

Next week, the German government will introduce legislation that will allow it to impose uniform COVID-19 restrictions across the country, Deutsche Welle reported April 9. Meanwhile, German Health Minister Jens Spahn also announced that Berlin is in negotiations with Russia to purchase doses of its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, according to a separate Reuters report.

Germany: Country to Impose Nationwide Lockdown, in Talks With Russia for More Vaccines

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s Central Electoral Commission announced that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s center-right GERB party won the country’s April 4 general election with around 26% of the vote, followed by the anti-establishment There Is Such a People party with around 18%, the Socialist Party with around 15%, and the anti-corruption coalition Democratic Bulgaria with around 10%.

Bulgaria: Prime Minister’s GERB Party Wins General Election

The breakup of the European Union isn't random or scattered: It's happening along distinct lines. The more prosperous northern European countries are tired of picking up the tab for southern Europe and are fighting for more control over the south's fiscal policies. Southern European countries want the opposite. Some countries in the east, meanwhile, see the European Union solely as a trade bloc and are becoming increasingly irritated by many of its other policies. As the economic and political environment in Europe becomes more contentious, these fundamentally opposed interests will come into conflict more and more often, further destabilizing the union.

The breakup of the European Union isn't random or scattered: It's happening along distinct lines.

Estonia

France

Latvia

Lithuania

Poland

Netherlands

Spain

Italy

Hungary

The Politics of Pipelines

Crossing Borders

Globalization

Russia's Internal Struggle

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

Assessments

Denmark

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks to journalists in Copenhagen on June 1, 2022, after the initial results of a historic referendum on Denmark's EU defense opt-out were announced.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Military & Security

The historic decision will complete the EU's security architecture and consolidate Nordic countries' influence over European military affairs as the war in Ukraine rages on.

The Significance of Denmark Ending Its EU Defense Opt-Out

Security

Snapshots

Georgia

Moldova

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Eastern Partnership summit at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Dec. 15, 2021. 

These countries will probably receive more EU funding and political support to help fend off threats from Russia, but they're unlikely to join the bloc anytime soon.

For Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, EU Aid Remains More Likely Than Accession

EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Oct. 6, 2021. 

Looser fiscal rules could promote growth but raise debt levels, while tighter rules could spur unrest and political upheavals in Southern Europe.

The EU Gears Up for a Tense Debate on Fiscal Reforms

Columns

On Geopolitics

A shredded EU flag flutters in the wind on March 1, 2016, in Brussels, Belgium. 

Poland and Hungary’s recent disputes with Brussels have reignited questions about the future of both countries’ EU membership -- as well as the future of the bloc itself.

Poland and Hungary Renew Concerns About EU Disintegration

People dance in front of a bar in Paris on June 21, 2021, after the French government lifted the national curfew. 

The uncertainty generated by the constant lifting and reintroduction of measures will continue to rattle European economies, especially in the tourism-dependent south. 

Another COVID-19 Surge Risks Slowing Europe’s Recovery 

Greece

People wait in an observation area at a COVID-19 vaccination site in the Catalonia Railway Museum on April 15, 2021, in Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain. 

With vaccination campaigns now in full gear, the EU should reach herd immunity and reopen its economy by the year’s end.

After a Rough Start, Europe Picks Up the Pace on Vaccines

People wait to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a community center in Latvia on March 30, 2021. 

Variations in infection rates, vaccine rollouts and public skepticism will impede the bloc from reaching its goal of inoculating 70% of adults by July.

In the Race to Herd Immunity, Can the EU Make Up for Lost Time?

Canada

United States

China

Sweden

People walk past an H&M store in Beijing, China, on March 25, 2021. 

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

China in Transition

Beijing’s co-opting of a nationalist social media campaign could force some foreign firms to sacrifice access to China’s massive and fast-growing market.

By Protesting Xinjiang Cotton, Western Companies Incite China’s Ire 

The increasing popularity of pro-environment policies makes the Green party a viable coalition partner for both the center-right CDU and center-left SPD.

The increasing popularity of pro-environment policies could make the Green party a viable coalition partner for both the center-right CDU and center-left SPD.

 What a Government With the Greens Would Mean for Germany

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discusses the bloc’s proposed Digital Green Certificate during a press conference on March 17, 2021. 

As long as infections remain high, Europe’s travel and hospitality sectors will continue to struggle regardless of the existence of a common health pass.

Desperate to Revive Tourism, the EU Proposes a Digital COVID-19 Certificate

Guidance

Campaign billboards featuring candidates from Germany’s Social Democratic Party (right) and Christian Democratic Union (left) are seen in Mainz, Germany, ahead of Rhineland-Palatinate state elections.

The outcome of two statewide votes next week will be key in gauging Germany's political landscape ahead of the Sept. 26 federal election. 

Regional Elections Will Offer a Glimpse Into Germany’s Political Future

Syringes are seen on a table at a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in Senftenberg, Germany. 

Amid growing frustration with its slow inoculation campaign, Brussels will struggle to keep countries from buying China and Russia’s vaccines.

The EU’s Unified Vaccine Strategy Is Starting to Splinter 

EU: Regional Blocs

SITUATION REPORTS

Germany: Government Opposes Banning Russian Oil, Gas Imports

EU: European Commission Unveils 'Taxonomy' of Sustainable Energy Sources

Germany: Olaf Scholz Elected Chancellor of Coalition Government

EU: European Commission Wants Power to Sanction Without Member State Approval

Slovenia: Government Pledges to Accelerate EU Enlargement of Balkans

Northern Ireland: U.K. and EU Agree to Continue Talks Over Customs Controls

Germany: Country to Impose Nationwide Lockdown, in Talks With Russia for More Vaccines

Bulgaria: Prime Minister’s GERB Party Wins General Election

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