La guerra entre Von der Leyen y Kallas socava la frágil diplomacia de la Unión Europea
El pulso por las competencias entre la presidenta de la Comisión Europea y la alta
WRITING
How the far right is tightening its grip over the EU – from the inside
The centrist coalition that traditionally shaped EU laws is now colluding with MEPs from the
« Ceuta a montré à quelle vitesse les divisions politiques peuvent transformer une urgence frontalière locale en une menace pour la solidarité européenne »
Les événements tragiques survenus dans l’enclave espagnole les 30 et 31 juillet, présentés par de nombreux dirigeants
Ceuta no amenazó a Europa. La respuesta de Europa sí
La de la ciudad autónoma fue una crisis mortal en una de las fronteras exteriores
Ceuta n’a pas menacé l’Europe, les divisions politiques ont menacé la solidarité européenne
La situation tragique à Ceuta a été maîtrisée en 48 heures. Pourtant, les dirigeants européens
EU accused of dragging its feet over ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements
Foreign ministers will discuss options on Monday but decision on imports is not expected for
Europe’s grand coalition is over: It’s time for mainstream parties to break with the European People’s Party
By Alberto Alemanno, Paris , 7 July 2026 14:20 For most of the EU’s history, Christian Democrats and
EU leaders pretend they need unanimity to ban Israeli settlement products. They don’t
By Alberto Alemanno, Paris/Brussels , 12 June 2026 11:44 You often see them in the supermarket: oranges, grapefruits,
How the plastic bottle cap became a parable for the value of EU regulation
In July 2024, a European Union law came into force requiring plastic bottle caps to
Europe rolls out the red carpet for AI data centres, as water‑and‑energy backlash spreads
By Alberto Alemanno, Paris , 19 May 2026 15:04 Across Europe, the AI boom is taking physical form.
La UE necesita un plan de ‘redemocratización’ de Hungría
Si gana las elecciones, la oposición heredará toda la arquitectura institucional manipulada; derrotar a Orbán
Ungarn braucht weit mehr als einen Machtwechsel
Die EU darf nicht denselben Fehler machen wie bei Polen: Auch wenn Orbán die Wahl
Brussels has no plan beyond Orbán losing — but Tusk’s Poland shows problems of ‘re-democratisation’
By Alberto Alemanno , 31 March 2026 12:52 Whatever happens on 12 April, the EU will emerge after
« La décarbonation est la condition de la survie industrielle et de l’autonomie stratégique européenne »
La France doit défendre l’ambition du marché carbone européen, en établissant les mêmes règles d’émissions
« Valeur ajoutée » : La concertation comme remède aux « chameaux qui puent »
Décider plus vite, sans concerter, est-ce vraiment plus efficace ? En Belgique, l’affaiblissement du dialogue social
Europe’s democratic winter — How EU leaders impose deregulation, bypassing citizens and MEPs
By Alberto Alemanno, Brussels/Paris EU leaders meet this week in a 16th-century castle to navigate a geopolitical landscape that
Brussels accused of undermining democracy in plans to relax lawmaking standards
EU executive says global instability is forcing it to weaken long-standing guardrails. February 5, 2026 7:56
La Comisión y las capitales deberán decidir si aplican ya el pacto con Mercosur pese al varapalo de la Eurocámara
Los tratados permiten que el acuerdo comercial entre en vigor sin contar con el consentimiento
Europe’s moment of truth over Greenland looms, as leaders ditch appeasement of Trump
From the ‘big bazooka’ to a world cup boycott, Europe has powerful weapons beyond dialogue.
Letter: Brussels has surrendered its strongest negotiating cards
From Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law, HEC Paris, France Martin Sandbu rightly
Europe Needs Its Own FAFO Doctrine
“If Europe is not going to defend Denmark, then what exactly is the EU for?”
Europe Is Stronger Than Its Leaders Think
Jan 13, 2026 Alberto Alemanno Over the past three decades, the European Union has built
Europe’s moment of truth arrives in Caracas
From Venezuela to Greenland, Washington is treating allies as territory to manage — forcing the
2026: The year Europe gets its act together?
We are returning from our winter holidays feeling refreshed, renewed, and optimistic about 2026. Ha
The Dogeization of Europe: the plan to ‘rollback’ the EU’s own institutions
By Alberto Alemanno, Brussels/Paris, 2 December 2025 09:45 While Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission promotes a sweeping
War in Ukraine, cost of living and climate: Which challenges feel most urgent to Europeans and why?
Amid sliding optimism in the EU’s future, almost half of EU citizens believe the war
The Omnibus Road to Constitutional Drift
How the Rise of Omnibus Legislation Undermines Procedural Integrity in the EU The European Union
Minder regels? Regelgeving is juist Europa’s geheime wapen
In ‘Lobby – Between Green Deals and Ideals’ biedt Suzanne Schols een blik achter de
Far right and centre right unite in EU parliament to undermine green rules
Conservatives in the European parliament joined forces with the far right to vote to weaken
Deregulation plans break EU law, legal scholars warn
By Wester van Gaal , Amsterdam , 10 November 2025 12:18 More than 100 European legal experts have
Farmers and regions win carve-outs as Brussels blinks in budget stand-off
Strategic retreat The European Commission has pandered to demands from the European parliament to adjust
How NGOs die — Europe’s playbook for dismantling democracy
By Alberto Alemanno, Brussels , 28 October 2025 11:31 Across Europe, a coordinated assault on civil society is
La Commission européenne accueille avec prudence la rencontre Trump-Poutine à Budapest
Un porte-parole d’Ursula von der Leyen a déclaré que toute rencontre en vue d’une paix
The Várhelyi affair: When an EU member state spies on Brussels
By Alberto Alemanno, Brussels, 14 October 2025 09:22 Brussels has always been a spy capital. Nato and the
Hats off to Trump on Gaza plan, says EU’s Costa
AS PLAYBOOK HITS YOUR INBOX … Hamas is preparing to exchange 20 live hostages (and the
For the European Union, political trouble rises in the east
A populist victory in the Czech Republic, protests in Lithuania, obstruction in Slovakia and Hungary
Ursula von der Leyen’s communications breakdown
European Commission president’s critics blame her leadership style for some media missteps. October 1, 2025 4:02
Von der Leyen didn’t take notes when she interviewed potential commissioners
September 18, 2025 4:00 am CET By Karl Mathiesen European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed
Speak loudly but carry a small stick
By KARL MATHIESEN with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @TimRoss_1 | Listen to
Von der Leyen’s fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal
The Commission chief’s State of the Union defence of the pact she negotiated with Donald
Von der Leyen to outline EU priorities after US trade deal backlash
STRASBOURG, Sept 10 (Reuters) – The European Union’s chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen, sets
A castle or merely a vassal
he US President Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs forced most countries, barring China or Brazil,
Europeans try to stay on the board after Ukraine summit
Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – For European leaders, the absence of a Ukraine deal at the summit
Von der Leyen’s Breaking Point
Sep 12, 2025Alberto Alemanno European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ability to respond to
Letter: Consensus-seeking is EU’s rational survival strategy
From Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law, HEC Paris Business School, France Letter:
Citizens’ Initiative aims to block changes ‘weakening air-passenger rights’
Campaigners with the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) Save Your Right, Save Your Flight! have flagged up plans
Campaigners seek to ground ‘passenger-hostile’ EU proposal
Campaigners have launched a citizens’ initiative to stop an EU draft law they say would
With fewer than 10% answered: Are European Citizens’ Initiatives missing the mark?
Despite being designed to give citizens a voice in EU policymaking, the European Citizens’ Initiatives
Europe’s Economic Surrender
Jul 30, 2025Alberto Alemanno The European Union’s tariff deal with US President Donald Trump highlights
Von der Leyen’s Moment of Truth
Jul 8, 2025Alberto Alemanno This week’s European Parliament vote on whether to dismiss Commission President
Europe should be standing up to Trump and Putin – instead it is mirroring them
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno advocates for more EU integration and autonomy instead of mirroring far right policies.
How the EU always gets away with it
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno comments on the Pfizergate and the accountability of EU institutions and leaders.
Text Messages, Transparency, and the Rule of Law
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno discusses the General Court’s findings in the Pfizergate case.
Von der Leyen’s texts with Pfizer boss can be shared, says EU’s highest court
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno comments on the recent General Court ruling in the Pfizergate case.
The Trump Boomerang Effect
PROJECT SYNDICATE – Alberto Alemanno argues that Donald Trump’s policies constitute an opportunity for reinforcing the EU’s strategic autonomy.
The EU’s Enduring Ethical Deficit in the Aftermath of Huawei
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno discusses the need for improved ethical standards in the wake of a new public integrity scandal shaking the EU Parliament.
Europe’s Awakening in Trumpland
SOCIAL EUROPE – Alberto Alemanno and Edouard Gaudot argue that Trump’s return has reignited a dormant sense of European purpose.
Does the EU Have What it Takes to Counter American Plutocratic Power?
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Jacquelyn D. Veraldi and Alberto Alemanno discuss the power challenges the EU faces with the new US administration.
The Dark Side of EU Deregulation
PROJECT SYNDICATE – Alberto Alemanno discusses the risks of deregulation in the EU.
Musk, Power, and the EU
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno and Jacquelyn D. Veraldi launch a symposium exploring how the EU can respond to power challenges posed by the new US administration.
For the first time in its history, we could be looking at a genuinely rightwing European Union
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno discusses the EU political landscape after the 2024 European elections.
Europe’s Shifting Alliances: Can the EU Stand Up to Trump?
SOCIAL EUROPE – Alberto Alemanno discusses the EU’s stance on the reelection of Donald Trump.
«DEBEMOS ALIMENTAR UNA NUEVA RUTINA DEMOCRÁTICA MÁS ALLÁ DEL VOTO»
ETHIC – Alberto Alemanno discusses the need to think democracy further than elections.
L’agenda politique de la Commission européenne semble plus aligné sur les demandes de l’extrême droite que sur celles promises aux pro-européens
LE MONDE – Alberto Alemanno discusses how far-right parties influence the political agenda of the new European Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen has lost Europe’s trust. She doesn’t deserve a second term
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno argues that MEPs should not reelect Ursula von der Leyen for a second mandate as President of the European Commission.
Why and How the Hungarian Presidency Must Be Stopped
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno discusses the consequences of the ongoing Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU.
Unpacking the EU election results: ‘Europe is an afterthought’
THE PARLIAMENT – Alberto Alemanno discusses the EU election results in an interview.
Ursula von der Leyen in pole position as she tries to build majority to keep job
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno comments on the designation of the next Commission president after the EU elections.
EU elections: earthquake in France and a rightward policy lurch? Our panel responds
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno analyses the results of the EU elections and their consequences.
« Une bonne performance électorale de l’extrême droite pourrait contrarier l’essence même du projet européen »
LE MONDE – Alberto Alemanno analyses the impact of reinforced far-right parties at the EU Parliament after the EU elections.
Quote of the Day: Cracks Emerge in Hard Right Across Europe
THE NEW YORK TIMES – Quote of the Day about nationalist parties.
Alberto Alemanno : “Le discours alarmiste de Macron sur l’état de l’Europe est contre-productif”
L’EXPRESS – Alberto Alemanno discusses the upcoming elections to the European Parliament in an interview.
Europe’s Non-European Elections
PROJECT SYNDICATE – Alberto Alemanno questions the European nature of the upcoming elections for the European Parliament.
Unboxing the EU Body for Ethical Standards
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno argues that the creation of the EU Body for Ethical Standards is a potential step forward in improving the EU ethics system.
«Il est temps pour l’UE de se doter d’un représentant institutionnel dévolu à l’avenir »
LE MONDE – Alberto Alemanno et Elizabeth Dirth défendent dans cette tribune la nécessité d’institutionnaliser la représentation des générations futures dans l’UE.
EU enlargement, reform and the missing citizens
SOCIAL EUROPE – Alberto Alemanno discusses the role of citizens in foreseen EU reforms.
The visionary legacy of Jacques Delors
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno remembers Jacques Delors’ legacy for Europe.
Future generations must be given a seat at the EU table
EURONEWS – Alberto Alemanno and Elizabeth Dirth discuss the need for future generations to be represented in the EU.
The EU’s ‘set menu’ membership model is failing. It’s time for an ‘à la carte’ approach
THE GUARDIAN – Alberto Alemanno discusses the need to reform the EU in the light of its foreseen enlargement.
Ursula von der Leyen—the accidental president
SOCIAL EUROPE – Alberto Alemanno analyzes Ursula von der Leyen’s 2023 State of the Union address.
Preparing for a post-Soros Europe
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno explains the consequences that the Open Society Foundations’ retreat from Europe will have for civil society organizations.
The good lobby
BUY THE BOOK:
« Il faut empêcher la Hongrie de prendre la présidence du Conseil de l’Union européenne »
LE MONDE – Alberto Alemanno plaide pour la suspension de la présidence hongroise du Conseil de l’UE.
¿Puede Hungría ostentar la presidencia rotatoria del Consejo de la Unión?
EL PAÍS – Alberto Alemanno aboga por la suspensión de la próxima presidencia húngara del Consejo de la UE.
Suspending Hungary’s EU presidency isn’t a sanction — it’s a precaution
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno argues for the suspension of Hungary’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU.
Alberto Alemanno, promotor de The Good Lobby: “Hoy día las empresas están bajo un control público sin precedentes”
EL MUNDO – Alberto Alemanno explica la importancia de la democratización del lobbying para contrarrestar los grupos de presión empresariales.
Democratizar el ‘lobbying’ para salvar nuestra democracia
EL CONFIDENCIAL – Alberto Alemanno explica la importancia de democratizar el lobbying en plena crisis de la democracia representativa
Alemanno: “El lobby se monopolizó con el interés particular de empresas y grupos”
LA INFORMACIÓN – Alberto Alemanno explica la misión de The Good Lobby y la importancia del lobbying ciudadano, tras la llegada de la ONG a España.
Participación ciudadana: ¿De verdad podemos cambiar las cosas?
ETHIC – Alberto Alemanno comments on citizen participation and access to lobbying, as The Good Lobby opens in Spain.
Los populares europeos aceleran su acercamiento a la ultraderecha en pleno ciclo electoral
EL PAÍS – Alberto Alemanno comments on the European Popular Party’s rapprochement with the far-right in the middle of the election cycle.
Plan for EU ethics body falls short of parliament’s demands, critics warn
FINANCIAL TIMES – Alberto Alemanno comments on a proposed ethics body for EU institutions in the aftermath of the Qatargate.
Criminal complaint adds to Ursula von der Leyen’s Pfizer text woes
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno comments on the criminal complaint against European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Opinion | L’éthique transparente et l’esprit du lobbying
LES ECHOS – Alberto Alemanno and Hugo Weber advocate for more transparent ethics in lobbying.
Brussels Playbook: Qatar scandal hits Commission — Finland’s next PM? — VdL in Washington
POLITICO – Alberto Alemanno comments on how the Qatargate scandal hits the European Commission.
Qatargate: A Missed Opportunity to Reform the Union
VERFASSUNGSBLOG – Alberto Alemanno discusses the need to establish an EU ethics body in the aftermath of the Qatargate scandal.
Why Europe must embrace participatory policymaking
EURACTIV – New models for citizen involvement in government are critical for the survival of democratic institutions in Europe, write Alberto Alemanno and Laura Batalla.
‘Invulnerable’ MEPs set to test EU’s bid to raise ethical standards
FINANCIAL TIMES – Alberto Alemanno comments the EU’s ethical standards in the aftermath of the Qatargate scandal.
European Parliament corruption probe is a gift to the bloc’s critics
THE WASHINGTON POST – Four people have been charged on suspicion of money laundering, corruption and taking part in a criminal organization on behalf of Qatar.