China celebrated the tenth anniversary of the global infrastructure initiative at the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last week. And once again, attendance from Africa was high. The meeting also offered some surprising innovations.
By Andreas Sieren
In the federal elections in Switzerland, the forces that stand for isolation and strict neutrality were strengthened. This has consequences for efforts to put bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland on a new footing. A deal is becoming less and less likely.
By Stephan Israel
In view of excessive bureaucracy, the chairman of the German government's Standards Control Council (NKR) believes that government reform is urgently needed in Germany and calls on the governing coalition to get it off the ground. In an interview with Stefan Braun and Till Hoppe, Lutz Goebel makes it clear: We have to pick up speed – in Germany and at the EU level.
By Till Hoppe
Solar modules are piling up in Europe's warehouses, many of them from China. An export boom from the People's Republic to Europe resulted in a dramatic price fall, threatening European producers. They are calling on Brussels for help.
By Christiane Kuehl
The Battery Regulation is meant to create a circular economy in Europe and reduce dependencies. This affects Chinese companies in particular, but the latter also see an opportunity in the new regulation.
By Christian Domke Seidel
Monika Hohlmeier (CSU), Chairwoman of the Budgetary Control Committee in the European Parliament, voices fundamental criticism of the implementation of the Covid Reconstruction Fund (RRF). In an interview with Markus Grabitz, she criticizes the Commission for not keeping track of what the member states do with the disbursed funds. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) will present a special report on Tuesday that also judges the fund's management harshly.
By Markus Grabitz
German politicians have explicitly promised to promote expertise on China. But instead of creating more programs, money and staff are being cut from existing ones. And the once-committed private foundations have also suspended their programs.
By Felix Lee
Beijing's reaction to the Hamas attack sparks anger and disappointment in Israel. Gedaliah Afterman spoke with Michael Radunski about the reasons behind China's behavior and the consequences it will have on relations between the two countries. Moreover, the renowned China expert from Reichman University in Herzliya points out where Beijing could play a positive role.
By Michael Radunski
Internal Commissioner Ylva Johansson is visibly frustrated by the debates surrounding her proposal for a regulation to combat sexual abuse. Protests have arisen among the member states against parts of the proposal. An agreement is still out of reach and Johansson is resorting to questionable methods.
By Falk Steiner
In March, Parliament President Roberta Metsola established the "Parliament 2024" working group. On Nov. 22, the group, consisting of members from all political factions, will meet for the last time to present its proposals. These reforms are taking shape.
By Markus Grabitz
