3 Questions on the US midterm election results to Paul Kohlenberg

A blue wave swept the 2026 US midterms. Democrats made significant gains in both the House and the Senate, while Republicans suffered historic losses. The results reshape the balance of power in Washington and raise pressing questions about the final two years of the Trump presidency and the future of transatlantic relations. We asked three questions to Paul Kohlenberg, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC office, on the midterm election key takeaways and their implications for EU-US relations.

German Rearmament: Handle with Care - Public Attitudes in Six EU Member States

Germany is rearming. How do its European partners feel about it? A new Böll EU Brief by Roderick Kefferpütz presents what is, to our knowledge, the first public survey of its kind, with more than 9,000 people in France, Poland, Italy, Greece, Lithuania and Czechia. Two thirds support German rearmament, but backing varies by country and does not always come with trust. The top concern is the rise of extremist forces in Germany. Asked who should lead the defence of Europe, the largest group wants the EU to share that role, with no single country in charge. Germany must rearm, but also reassure.

3 Questions on EU-Canada relations to Julian Joswig MdB

As geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over transatlantic relations reshape international partnerships, the EU and Canada are looking to deepen their cooperation. Following their Summit in Montreal on 29-30 October 2026, we spoke to Julian Joswig MdB, Committee Coordinator for the Green Parliamentary Group on the Bundestag Committee on EU Affairs, about the outcomes of the meeting, Canada’s proposed associate membership of the EU, and the future of transatlantic relations.

Reaching young men: How progressives can connect with them online

In the 2024 European elections, 21 per cent of men aged 16 to 29 voted far-right, compared with 14 per cent of women in the same age group. A new study analysed influencers and politicians in France, Germany and the UK. Far-right creators begin with fitness, gaming, jobs and housing, and offer a sense of belonging. Progressive creators tend to be political from the outset and largely defensive. This Böll EU Brief by Dr. Johannes Hillje & Ripple Research offers five recommendations to help progressive actors listen to and engage young men better, from starting with everyday concerns to offering role models for modern masculinity.

3 Questions on Lula's victory in Brazil to Regine Schönenberg

Lula has won a historic fourth term, a hopeful signal that the far right can be defeated at the ballot box. Young voters, grassroots activists and more than 10 million members of “Lula’s Army” turned the tide in three weeks. Regine Schönenberg, Director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung office in Rio de Janeiro, explains what drove this comeback, how civil society can defend social justice, climate and Indigenous rights against a conservative Congress, and what Europe should prioritise now.

European by Default 2026: Sovereign, Cooperative and Ambitious: Expectations for Germany‘s European Policy

The majority of respondents want a Europe that is more independent of the US and forges new international partnerships. There is also broad support for a stronger European economy, even if this comes at a higher cost. These are among the findings of this year’s edition of our study on Germany’s role in the EU, by Dr. Maria Skóra (Das Progressive Zentrum) & Georg McCutcheon (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung).

Factsheet: How Europe’s electricity markets survived the stress test of the heatwave 

Europe’s warmest summer on record put its electricity system to the test. Soaring demand, drought-hit hydropower and nuclear plants starved of cooling water sent hourly prices close to €1,000/MWh across Central and Eastern Europe. Solar kept the system standing, now covering more than half of midday demand and saving consumers around €1.13 billion in late June alone. But evening price spikes reveal what is missing: storage. This factsheet by Jordi Schröder Bosch (Positive Money Europe) sets out what EU policymakers must do to keep the lights on.

Web dossier: COP31: UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey

The 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) will take place in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November 2026. This dossier contains analyses and commentary on key issues and negotiation topics, as well as updates from our delegation at the COP31.

New storage markets change the game

The ’battery revolution’ is transforming the debate over whether renewables can power whole economies. New battery storage options can be the backbone of a complex, decentralized, volatile grid. Paul Hockenos reports.