Böll EU Brief 03/2025 | Cable diplomacy: Securing influence, data and global rules

Subsea data cables are the digital lifelines of our modern world. Yet, external factors frequently expose vulnerabilities in the network and its supporting infrastructure. While around 150 cable faults occur globally each year, states suspect a growing number of cable faults to be linked to hybrid or malicious activity. Recognising that many states around the world face similar risks, the EU Action Plan on Cable Security proposes to establish “an advanced cable diplomacy”. But cable diplomacy is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Technological sensitivities, dual-use aspects and geopolitical considerations demand a tailored approach. Where and how should the EU build effective cable diplomacy partnerships? By Jonas Franken (PEASEC at TU Darmstadt). 

Böll EU Brief 02/2025 | Beyond Brexit: A new chapter for EU-UK relations

The EU and the UK are holding their first post-Brexit summit on 19 May. Since coming to power in July 2024, the focus of Labour’s much-vaunted ‘reset’ with the EU has been on building friendly relations with EU institutions and Member States. Whilst these overtures have been positively received, (substantive) progress has been slow. The summit will therefore be crucial in determining whether the two sides can move from ambition to action. By Jannike Wachowiak (UK in a Changing Europe).

Discussion paper | Budgeting for security? Assessing EU funding instruments for defence

In response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the prospect of a diminishing U.S. role in the European security architecture, the European Commission has put forward the ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 package, which combines temporary exemptions from EU fiscal rules with the creation of a €150 billion loan instrument (SAFE) to bolster defence spending. This discussion paper argues that the proposal has limited fiscal impact and is unable to address the persistent lack of coordination among Member States, as it does not adequately incentivise joint procurement. Instead, the authors suggest to future-proof the EU's fiscal rules and develop an EU grants-mechanism tied to strategic cooperation, greater parliamentary oversight, and a broader concept of security that includes climate and democratic resilience. Finally, the paper also explores how increased defence demand risks fuelling excessive profits and market concentration. By Anton Möller and Georg McCutcheon (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung).

UPDATED European Green Deal Risk Radar

The Clean Industrial Deal is the new masterplan to make EU industries competitive with clean energy in view of becoming the first climate-neutral continent. However, the decision on the EU’s 2040 climate target is still pending. There are also concerns that the simplification of key legislation from the European Green Deal will just water down its level of ambition. Meanwhile, industry and agriculture need more tailored support and investment security for their transition. Will the existing and the planned EU laws be effective for reaching our climate goals? Which policy tools will work well? And where will we need to sharpen them?

3 Questions on Romania’s presidential election results to MEP Nicu Ștefănuță

The failed Presidential election in Romania last year, fuelled by a wave of disinformation, triggered an unprecedented period of political instability in this EU and NATO Member State. A rerun took place on 4 and 18 May 2025, and the Mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, was elected. We asked MEP Nicu Ștefănuță (Greens/EFA), Vice-President of the European Parliament, what this result means for the future of Romania and its role in the EU, NATO and with regards to supporting Ukraine. 

Putting it in reverse? The pitfalls and potential of the European Automotive Industrial Action Plan

Everyone from industry to pundits, and even NGOs, have for months lamented a lack of a comprehensive automotive industrial strategy across the EU, to match the continent’s green deal agenda of CO2 targets. This finally landed in early March, dubbed the Automotive Industrial Action Plan. This analysis looks at its most prominent proposals across clean vehicle, supply chain and infrastructure aspects, outlining its strengths and missteps. Analysis by Julia Poliscanova (Transport & Environment)

3 Questions on Europe's policy of the new German Federal government to Chantal Kopf MdB

With a new CDU/CSU–SPD coalition government in Berlin, the future direction of Germany's EU policy is in the spotlight. As the largest EU Member State, any shift in Berlin will inevitably echo across Europe. There are a lot of hopes and expectations and of course challenges that this coalition government will have to navigate. We asked Chantal Kopf MdB, the Europe Spokesperson for the German Green Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag, what this new coalition means for the EU. 

“There will be a post-Milei Argentina – and the EU must be ready for it”

Interview As Argentina teeters between economic upheaval and political realignment, President Javier Milei’s radical reforms are being put to the test. From dismantling anti-corruption institutions to surprising electoral wins in Buenos Aires, the stakes are rising fast — both at home and abroad. We speak with Michael Álvarez Kalverkamp, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s Buenos Aires office, to unpack what Milei’s ultra-libertarian agenda means for Argentina’s future. 

Community-owned renewables now span all of Europe

In 2019, the EU set into motion dedicated legislation to expand renewable energy communities (RECs) where they already exist, and enable citizen energy in countries – mostly eastern and southern Europe – where there were none at all. The goals: to increase the use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and also empower citizens – to make them part of the Energiewende. Member states had five years to transpose these directives and all of them did, though to different degrees and with diverse results. Paul Hockenos gives an overview at the occasion of the European Energy Communities Forum currently organised in Kraków, Poland.

Solar farms on rewetted peatlands – a double benefit for the climate?

Peatlands account for 3% of the world’s land surface. As long as they are intact, they store large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂), one of the greenhouse gases (GHG) accelerating climate change. They even store twice as much CO₂ as all forests together. However, when drained or destroyed, they release great amounts of CO₂, hence turning from carbon sinks into emitters of GHG. Lisa Sandtner reports.

3.06.2025, 14:00 CEST
Slovakia and the New Leaders of the West

In 2025, Donald Trump returned to the presidency of the United States, and in Germany, a new ‘grand coalition’ of Christian and Social democrats came to power. The foreign policy priorities of both countries will shape the future course of the West on key issues such as security, Russian aggression in Ukraine, and the direction of the European Union. These major shifts are happening at a time when Slovakia increasingly finds itself on the margins of foreign policy debates within the EU and NATO. The format of cooperation is changing – instead of decision-making in full formats, smaller groups of states, so-called "coalitions of the willing," are beginning to dominate.

Organised by the EuroPolicy civic association and the EURACTIV Slovakia portal, in cooperation with the Prague office of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. Speakers: Roderick Kefferpütz, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung EU; Milan Nič, Senior research fellow at DGAP's Center for Order and Governance; Miroslava Pisklová, Research fellow at Slovak Foreign Policy Association.

4.06.2025, 9:30 CEST
South Korea after the elections: Geopolitical dynamics and domestic course-setting

On 3 June 2025, South Korea will elect a new president and, after many turbulent months, the political landscape will see a phase of reorientation. Regardless of the specific election results, the outcomes raise important questions about the country's future domestic and foreign policy development.

What effects can be expected for South Korean domestic policy - particularly with regard to political stability, social tensions and economic reforms? How could South Korea's foreign and security policy develop further? And what significance do the elections have for South Korea's international relations - especially with the USA, North Korea, the EU and Germany?

4.06.2025, 18:00 CEST
The future of international law - an anchor in a crumbling world order?

The promises of international law and what it can achieve in reality are currently the subject of heated debate. Safeguarding human rights, peacekeeping and the protection of civilians remain among the most pressing tasks of the international community. They are inextricably linked to the development of international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

How can hard-won historical achievements be defended and enforced in an environment in which the ‘law of the strongest’ seems to be increasingly asserting itself? We want to discuss these and other questions with experts from academia, civil society and politics: How will and must international law develop further, and what should Germany and Europe do to achieve this? What strategies should human rights-oriented politics pursue in order to help shape a more humane and just world order? What alliances and partnerships are needed for this? What role does civil society play?

12.06.2025, 11:30 CEST
Energy for citizens: understanding what consumers truly need | European Sustainable Energy Week 2025 (EUSEW)

In recent years, the EU has introduced many new laws to accelerate renewables, enhance consumer protection and help consumers adapt to their new role as active participants in the energy transition. However, to support consumers effectively, policymakers must start by understanding consumers’ needs and translating legislation into concrete action that empowers consumers to actively participate in the transition. The EU’s upcoming Citizens Energy Package should provide guidance on how to best go about it and ensure the transition is equitable and accessible for all. This event, co-organised by BEUC and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union in the framework of the European Sustainable Energy Week 2025 (EUSEW), will look at real-life consumer challenges, by focusing on four key areas: affordable energy, heating and cooling decarbonisation, building renovation and consumer protection. 

18.06.2025, 16:00 CEST
US Briefings: Ties that Bind or Unwind? Transatlantic interdependence and Trump 2.0

While the United States has acted for decades as a trusted security guarantor, economic partner, and political ally for Europe, the Trump 2.0 administration’s shift toward authoritarianism and pursuit of policies that undermine the rules-based international order test the durability of the transatlantic relationship. Particularly, the concept of weaponised interdependence – the strategic use of economic, financial, technological, and security dependencies to advance national interests – is a growing concern for European states as they renegotiate US relations. In this US Briefing, we will address critical questions facing European and German policymakers: What steps can the EU take to insulate itself from the worst effects of Trump's policies? What points of leverage does the EU have to counterbalance Trump's tariffs? What strategic goals is the U.S. administration pursuing vis-a-vis Europe? And most importantly, how might the US further weaponise interdependence moving forward?

Grow the Future 2025 | Alliance Against Tech Authoritarianism 
Deadline for applications: 20.06.2025, 23:59 EST

In 2025, Grow the Future will bring an interdisciplinary group of political campaigners, activists, influencers, educators, journalists, researchers, and policymakers to Canada to explore initiatives and ideas to improve the digital ecosystem to empower humans and protect their rights. Participants will travel to Canada with experts from the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung from 5 to 11 October 2025 to meet partners working on the threats that democratic societies face from the Big Tech oligarchy and foreign actors who exploit digital technologies to undermine civic discourse.