The EU is often portrayed as a force of good in the world while there is growing criticism across the academia as to its actual role and impact. Although nuanced and constructive, most of this critique is almost completely absent from the public discourse. According to (King’s College London), taken seriously and engaged with appropriately, these newly emerging agendas can, however, contribute to the improvement of the EU’s external relations.
Date added: Monday, May 25, 2020
The European Political Community (EPC) was established in 2022 as a forum for cooperation between European countries. Ahead of the next EPC summit in Moldova on 1 June, , , Helen Drake, Jorein Hendriksen, Basak Sendogan, and Gesine Weber argue the organisation could have a key role to play in the future of European security. The piece was originally published on the 'EUROPP – European Politics and Policy' blog.
Date added: Thursday, June 1, 2023
A Franco-British summit is due to be held on 10 March between UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron. Ahead of the meeting, , , and Christian Turner set out some key principles for establishing a more ambitious relationship between the UK and France. The piece was originally published on the 'EUROPP – European Politics and Policy' blog.
Date added: Monday, May 29, 2023
On 10 May 2022, the of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) hosted the webinar The Rise of Sanctuary Cities During the European “Refugee Crisis”, chaired by Dr. Raffaele Bazurli (postdoctoral researcher at QMUL). The event, now available on YouTube, has brought together leading scholars, policy-makers, and migrant rights activists directly involved in sanctuary initiatives in Europe.
Date added: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Following the UK’s June 2016 referendum, there was a mass mobilisation of anti-Brexit activism across all parts of the UK. In their recently published book, The Failure of Remain: Anti-Brexit Activism in the United Kingdom, Adam Fagan and Stijn van Kessel examine the UK’s anti-Brexit movement, as a case of the ‘politicisation of Europe’ by a grassroots social movement.
Date added: Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Does the West hold some responsibility for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Pierre Haroche examines the claim that NATO expansion into Russia’s sphere of influence provoked the conflict. The piece was originally published on the 'EUROPP – European Politics and Policy' blog.
Date added: Thursday, February 2, 2023
Dr Stella Ladi (QMUL), Dr Angie Gago (University of Lausanne), Dr Catherine Moury (University of Lisbon) and Dr Daniel Cardoso (University of Lisbon) argue that bailed-out governments during the Eurozone crisis exercised more leverage than assumed. Despite international market pressure and creditors’ conditionality, bailed-out governments were able to advocate, resist, shape or roll back some of the policies demanded by the EU’s Troika. This article was first published in The Loop, ECPR's Political Science Blog.
Date added: Tuesday, November 23, 2021
As the first anniversary of Ethiopia’s ongoing civil war approaches this week, it is worth reflecting on the European Union’s response. In November 2020, the European Parliament made its opposition to the conflict unequivocally clear through a series of strong resolutions: violence and human rights abuses were deplored; all parties were urged to enter peaceful dialogue; the EU was called upon to use “all necessary diplomatic means” to end the war. After such powerful rhetoric, the results are disappointing. The war wages on worse than ever, and the Union’s actions look ineffective. EU policy, although well-intentioned, has so far failed to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis. The principal reasons for this are discussed below by James Thompson and suggestions offered as to the best future policy. James Thompson is an MA student in the Queen Mary School of Politics and International Relations, based at the University of London Institute in Paris. His interests include European security, British and EU foreign policy, and humanitarian affairs.
Date added: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
In this paper, Vedrana Maglajlija explores how the "steel friendship" between Serbia and China, has been reinforced in times of pandemic and the ambiguity of the Serbian relationship to the EU. Vedrana is a journalist based in the Balkans, currently working for Al Jazeera Network. She writes for the Al Jazeera Balkans website, covering regional and world politics, after focusing on war crimes in the former Yugoslavia for several years. She completed her MA in International Relations at the Queen Mary University of London.
Date added: Wednesday, November 3, 2021
In this blog, Vedrana Maglajlija sheds light on the consequences of the Bulgarian veto to North Macedonia becoming an EU member State on domestic politics and public opinion and more broadly on the EU itself. Vedrana is a journalist based in the Balkans, currently working for Al Jazeera Network. She writes for the Al Jazeera Balkans website, covering regional and world politics, after focusing on war crimes in the former Yugoslavia for several years. She completed her MA in International Relations at the Queen Mary University of London.
Date added: Thursday, November 4, 2021
In this paper, (QMUL) explains to what extent 2020 has been a peculiar year for European Union (EU) migration policies. The closure of EU external borders and the suspension of asylum applications throughout Europe has turned Fortress Europe into a reality. The various states of emergency adopted in the EU have constrained the freedom of movement inside the EU. Social distancing has halted search and rescue operations and accelerated the retreat of civil society and public bodies from the Mediterranean. But the pandemic has not stopped sea border crossings and has increased the vulnerability of migrants and asylum-seekers both in Europe and in the southern Mediterranean. The temporary suspension of the processing of asylum applications, resettlement and relocation is an additional challenge in times of increased vulnerability of migrants in the region. This article was first published in the European Institute of the Mediterranean yearbook.
Date added: Thursday, October 29, 2020
Read the highlights written by (King's College London - QMUL) of the the workshop which considered pro- and anti-EU forces both at the party-political and the grass-roots level.
Date added: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
As governments around the world grapple with the public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are striking similarities with the eurozone crisis that followed the 2008 financial crisis. Having researched this crisis, Dr Stella Ladi (QMUL), Dr Angie Gago (University of Lausanne), Dr Catherine Moury (University of Lisbon) and Dr Daniel Cardoso (University of Lisbon) argue that there are some important lessons to apply to today’s recovery. The early signs indicate that the EU is responding much more effectively to this crisis than it did in 2008.
Date added: Monday, July 13, 2020
According to (QMUL), the Italian turnaround shows that optimism is overstated as a comeback of Salvini in power is still looming.
Date added: Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Find out in this interview made by (King's College London - QMUL) how (QMUL) experience as an intern at CER has fed into his new role in the Schuman Traineeship programme at the European Parliament.
Date added: Wednesday, August 7, 2019
(QMUL) shares with David Gazsi (King's College London - QMUL) his insights into the results and the role that far-right parties will play in the new European Parliament in 2019-2024.
Date added: Friday, June 14, 2019
Who said Europe was boring? For once, the European Parliament elections have been as important as national elections explains Dr (QMUL).
Date added: Wednesday, May 29, 2019
In this blog post Dr. Konstantinos Kougias (Panteion University) investigates the need for a more robust social dimension of the EU. Although the Commission has acknowledged the contribution that well-designed social policies can make to economic growth, the EU has not endowed itself with a meaningful social dimension. He argues that Brexit and Macron’s vision for ‘renaissance’ in Europe present an opportunity to relaunch a reform agenda with the view to strengthening the EU’s social model. This agenda should place social principles at the heart of all economic policies.
Date added: Monday, April 15, 2019
Nicole Wyatt (QMUL) investigates how the highly successful model of private sponsored refugee resettlement used in Canada can be adapted in the European context. Many countries have already designed or implemented similar resettlement strategies, but have not had the success rates in terms of number of refugees resettled, integration levels, and popular sentiment towards refugees, as the Canadian example. With some ideas drawn from the Canadian Privately Sponsored Refugees Programme, European Union Member States can have as much success as Canada.
Date added: Saturday, March 16, 2019
Opened by our Director, , the CER 2018 Inaugural lecture was dedicated to one of the most debated and controversial issues surrounding the EU.
Date added: Monday, October 8, 2018
(QMUL) reviews Professor Anne Marie Le Gloannec’s last book, published posthumously, which analyses the current crisis of the European Union, taking into account the previous struggles experienced by Brussels. In an era characterized by Euroscepticism and nationalism, the author identifies the faults of the Union in developing a comprehensive and coherent foreign policy. The EU has failed in acting as a geopolitical actor, disappointing the hopes and the projects of a more proactive Union.
Date added: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
(QMUL) reviews the latest publication of Nathalie Tocci, Framing the EU Global Strategy: A Stronger Europe in a Fragile World. Being a non-academic book, written by a scholar the book is considered to be a precious contribution, accessible for everyone, from students to policy-makers.
Date added: Monday, March 19, 2018
CER’s new intern explores the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), signed 2017, and its impact on the existing Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) as well as the EU’s relationship with NATO.
Date added: Tuesday, March 6, 2018
The recent judicial reform plan sponsored by the Polish government in 2017 caste a curse on the European Union and its founding values of democracy and Rule of Law. Gaia Taffoni (University of Milan) looks at the possible solutions that the EU could take to deal with this breach.
In this blog post Dr. Helena Farrand Carrapico (Aston University) investigates the main concerns regarding the developments of the relations between the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) and the UK, in conjunction with the Brexit negotiations.
Date added: Thursday, March 1, 2018
In this blog post, Antonio Astolfi (QMUL) investigates the Italian case in regard of populism and offers some insights on why, contrary to the rest of the Member States, two populist parties have succeeded in becoming the major political forces of the country.
Date added: Thursday, November 15, 2018
One year one from the EU referendum, Professor (QMUL) comments on its impact on UK political parties.
Date added: Friday, June 30, 2017
Professor (QMUL) reflects on the Conservative Party’s election manifesto, which promises a ‘smooth and orderly’ Brexit.
Date added: Friday, May 26, 2017
In what has been an eventful year for Catalonia, (King's College London - QMUL) considers with Professor John London (QMUL) what developments the upcoming regional election will bring.
Date added: Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Dr (QMUL) analyses the extent of the margin of appreciation available to Member States under Article 25 CCV.
Date added: Tuesday, February 28, 2017
The intensity of the the Dutch Freedom Party’s Euroscepticism has variated over the years, writes Dr (QMUL).
Date added: Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Dr (QMUL) observes run up to the Dutch elections.
Date added: Thursday, March 9, 2017
In this blog post, (QMUL) discusses the French president's rapidly declining popularity.
Date added: Wednesday, October 25, 2017
In this post, (King's College London - QMUL) reflects on the 2017 German elections and its implications for the whole of Europe.
Date added: Monday, October 30, 2017
Read the summary written by (King's College London - QMUL) of the CER Inaugural Lecture ‘Negotiating Brexit’ given by Sir Jonathan Faull KCMG, which features observations from Professor Helen Drake (Loughborough) and Professor Tim Bale (QMUL).
Date added: Friday, November 17, 2017