Words and Acts 110 years ago the Flemish poet Willem Elsschot described a broken marriage in a way that remains part of the Flemish collective memory up to this day: "For between dream and act there are hindering laws and practical issues". The latter prevented the husband from killing his wife. Surely, the situation in the EU is not quite that drastic. Nevertheless: Elsschot's sentence describes the relational disorder in the EU very aptly. Practical issues arise because of Poland and Hungary’s veto against linking the EU budget to the rule of law. This doesn’t only occur at the worst possible time; it also calls into question the very fundament of the European Union marriage. It is highly questionable whether a solution worth that name will be found on the EU summit of 10 December. There are also diverging ideas about the EU's future plans. France has long been dreaming of European sovereignty (including military sovereignty). With Joe Biden’s election, Germany is rather playing the card of multilateral cooperation.
Elsschot, by the way, was a representative of the illusionless, unromantic and sober art movement called "new objectivity". Perhaps the EU should orient itself along these lines.
Dr. Bert van Roosebeke
Head of Deparment
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The EU Commission wants to achieve the goal of climate neutrality of the EU by 2050, amongst others through a comprehensive hydrogen strategy. The aim is to promote hydrogen produced without CO2 and with low CO2 emissions. A cepPolicyBrief examines the Commission's communication on the Hydrogen strategy.
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The Commission is to release the Digital Markets Act, a legislative proposal aimed at ensuring competition in digital markets. In light of two public consultations and a speech by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, a cepInput examines the Commission’s plans.
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| Tackling COVID 19 Disinformation |
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The EU-Commission presents several measures and tools to fight COVID-19 disinformation on online platforms. A cepPolicyBrief assesses the Commission’s approach.
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| The Debt-to-GDP Divergence of France and Germany |
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The public debt ratios of Germany and France are currently diverging strongly. As a result, the two countries might be pursuing different policy objectives, for example regarding the reactivation of the Stability and Growth Pact. This endangers the stability of the euro area. A cepInput looks at the causes of this development and shows strategies to counteract it.
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"The European Union is well prepared for a no-deal-scenario, but of course we prefer to have an agreement."
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Brexit negotiations |
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"China is a 'systemic rival' to the EU, while the US is a partner in values.
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas |
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| "There is a threat of US internet companies dominating B2B data. But it is not too late here. The European Union is working on the creation of a "European Data Space" which will create the legal conditions for a single market for data worthy of the name." Lüder Gerken, President of cep |
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| "The ramp-up of 'clean' hydrogen should take place in economic competition rather than in competition for funding. Creditability as an alternative fuel or targeted quotas can trigger the ramp-up, including cost degression, in a cost-effective manner.” cep climate expert Dr. Martin Menner |
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Households in many EU countries have enjoyed a significant fall in electricity and gas prices in the first half of 2020 due to tax cuts and falling generation costs. Notwithstanding this development, Germany has the highest electricity costs in the EU at just over €30 per 100 kWh, while the Netherlands has the highest gas prices at just under €10 per 100 kWh. In return, Dutch consumers benefit from the sharpest drop in electricity prices of around 31%. (Source: Eurostat) |
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| Source: Oliver Schopf/DER STANDARD |
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