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.
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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
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
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 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
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
Africa has huge untapped potential for wind, solar and hydropower. The continent is seen as the energy supplier of the future. However, this vision is only true to a limited extent.
By Redaktion Table
The lockdowns in China further affect the already struggling international goods traffic. A huge ship jam is forming off the coast of Shanghai, while ports in Europe buckle under a flood of containers. This also has consequences for the movement of goods to Europe, that now takes more than twice as long.
By Redaktion Table
More than two months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin's propaganda machinery is showing no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, the longer Putin's war in Ukraine lasts, the more propaganda efforts Russian television makes. There is no sign of de-escalation.
By Eugenie Ankowitsch
The Federal Court of Justice had wanted to see it differently, but now the judges in Luxembourg have clarified the matter: member states may grant qualified organizations such as consumer associations standing to sue in the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation. The ruling provides another building block in enforcement – and one industry, in particular. It is likely to feel the consequences soon.
By Falk Steiner
