With more than 52 million tickets sold, the measure provided direct financial relief to citizens, to the point where it effectively lowered Germany’s inflation rate between June and August when the offer was valid.
German’s nation-wide public transportation ticket in the summer of 2022 offered access to the entire country for just nine euros. The project, and its understanding of interdepartmental coordination and citizen engagement, might serve as a model for foreign policy innovation.
Crises have proven to be a necessary driver for the development of European integration, but they haven’t always led to a strengthened union. While the consequence of each challenge must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, the element of solidarity among EU member states is crucial.
External interference in the West’s domestic affairs has prompted the European Parliament to consider tightening restrictions on foreign funding and individuals. The EU must tackle this challenge without eroding civic spaces or limiting support for civil society.
The democratic quality of states, including those in the West, have been declining as of late. More effective diplomatic engagement and political support from the international community may help where governments enforce restrictions on civil society.
Kenya’s electoral process and democratic progress offer lessons for other countries in the Horn of Africa. However, further reforms are needed to strengthen the judiciary, enhance women’s political representation, and support civic spaces.
Bulgaria's general election should have identified whether voters were willing tolerate state capture and corruption. The return of Boyko Borissov demonstrates the resilience of the status quo, which relies on a shaky coalition that includes kleptocrats, oligarchs, opportunists and far-right populists.
Turkey’s positioning as the antithesis of European values, as well as its relationship with Russia, should raise questions about Ankara’s presence in the proposed European Political Community. The EU must not abandon its own principles and convictions in the name of realpolitik.
The contrast between the different polls predicting Labour versus Conservative electoral support is significant, making it difficult to determine how much of a chance the latter has of regaining ground. However, it is likely that the Tories will not recover enough to avoid defeat.
The composition of Giorgia Meloni’s government will be an important signal.
International support for Ukraine thus far has focused on immediate priorities. While supplying weapons, sanctioning Russia, and adjusting energy prices are of great importance, a longer-term vision is also needed to ensure a better future for Ukraine.
Reform of the UK's electoral system is on the agenda at the Labour Party conference. While voting for such change could seal Labour's fate, the use of proportional representation to elect members of parliament is better suited for today's political landscape.
The likely electoral victory of a right-wing coalition in Italy raises fears in Europe, especially for the country’s democratic resilience. Although democracy will remain intact, economic stability and civil rights could still be undermined.
The EU’s AI-cybersecurity ecosystem remains highly fragmented. To realize its technological leadership ambitions, the bloc must connect the dots between its myriad initiatives, processes, and stakeholders.
The UK’s constitution won’t change, but he could subtly influence policy in one specific area.
Once limited to the state level, terms like “strategic autonomy” and “sovereignty” are now commonly used in the supranational EU context, including in the field of defence, tech, and digital. The meaning of these terms is not yet fixed but rather articulated via hegemonic interventions across various interconnected policy fields.
The promotion of the rule of law across borders should be implemented based on clear and objective standards, and distinguished from state-building exercises.
Democracy support organizations are struggling to maintain operations in states with hostile environments. They need to reassess their approach in such countries and seek to address the political drivers of repression.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the democratic backsliding that has been unfolding worldwide for a decade. Democratic reform must be advanced at the international level and enhanced in a regional framework.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson would like his legacy to be that of a successful Brexit, but most voters reject his claim. The war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis has provided a vivid test of Britain's inability to 'take back control' in order to protect people from the vicissitudes of events abroad.