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Conference on the Future of Europe: decisive phase ahead

The Conference on the Future of Europe was intended to work out where and how the EU needs to reinvent or improve itself. After the collection and initial discussion, it's now down to the nitty-gritty: Which proposals from the participatory format will actually be taken into account? Starting today, the focus will be on actual implementation.

By Eric Bonse

Luc Frieden ist Präsident von Eurochambres. Der frühere Finanzminister Luxemburgs arbeitete zwischenzeitlich in der Finanzindustrie.

Luc Frieden: 'Is it the right time?'

The new president of Eurochambres, the umbrella organization of chambers of commerce, warns against imposing new burdens on companies in the current crisis. He is critical of the rapid introduction of the CO2 border adjustment and wants to improve the Supply Chain Act. In an interview with Till Hoppe, the Luxembourger also warns against the consequences of an oil and gas embargo.

By Till Hoppe

ETS 2: the long road ahead

After tough wrangling, negotiations in the Environment Committee on the reform of the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are to be concluded on Tuesday. It is not yet possible to predict what the agreement will look like. All sides claim to be willing to compromise, but there is little movement on the most contentious points.

By Lukas Knigge

France's left allies

The left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon had announced it during the presidential elections: the 70-year-old wants to become prime minister. More quickly than expected, he has now launched a left-wing alliance against President Emmanuel Macron. And power for Mélenchon could put France's pro-European direction in jeopardy.

By

Promotion of gas saving in industry stalls

In view of the threat of a halt to Russian gas supplies, there is a fierce debate about possible shutdowns of industrial plants. But now, of all things, an important German government support program for energy savings by companies is being delayed.

By Manuel Berkel

EU wants to open China's market for procurement

It could soon become more uncomfortable for Chinese companies in the EU when it comes to public construction, supply, and service contracts. Brussels wants to put a stop to cheap offers from the People's Republic with new EU regulations. The rules are also intended to make China open up its own procurement market more to Europeans. But whether that will work is questionable.

By Amelie Richter

Difficult balancing act with oil embargo

The EU Commission's sixth sanctions package with the gradual exit from Russian oil is meeting with mixed reactions from industry and business associations. Experts doubt the effect, while Hungary and Slovakia reject the package in its current form.

By Stephan Israel

EU Health Data Space: Commission focuses on binding nature

The EU Commission's proposal for the European Health Data Space is on the table. According to Health Commissioner Kyriakides, the EU is thus taking a "truly historic step" on the road to digital healthcare. However, it will be a mammoth task. One of the sticking points is likely to be data protection.

By Eugenie Ankowitsch

Kirsten Westphal: 'Building a hydrogen world will be a generational task'

Kirsten Westphal spent a long time working on the geopolitics of energy supply as a researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). Since 2021, she has headed the analysis department at H2Global, a hydrogen import tool funded by the German government. Speaking to Manuel Berkel, she talks about the importance of H2Global for the EU's hydrogen plans.

By Manuel Berkel

Energy transition brings new dependencies

Russia's war of aggression has shown how dependent Germany and other EU countries are on Russian oil and gas. The rapid switch to renewable energies is seen as a way out by many. However, there is a threat of new dependencies and possible supply bottlenecks for materials for wind turbines, photovoltaics, and batteries.

By Leonie Düngefeld