Opinion • Table.Briefings

January 14th, 2025

Next Federal Government: How it can make housing affordable and climate-friendly

Building is becoming more and more expensive, rents are rising rapidly and home ownership is unaffordable for many. Germany's real estate and construction industry is doing badly – at the same time, the sector is contributing too little to achieving climate targets. The next German government can change this. Kolja Zajicek, Senior Policy Advisor at the Climate Economy Foundation, explains how.

By Experts Table.Briefings

Opinion

January 13th, 2025

EU coordination: Germany should follow the example of the Netherlands

Due to the time-consuming coordination between the coalition partners, the German government often decides on a position in the Council late or not at all. Lucas Guttenberg from the Bertelsmann Stiftung recommends following the example of the Netherlands.

By Redaktion Table

Opinion

January 13th, 2025

What the EU could do against Kremlin propaganda in its backyard

The Balkans are a testing ground and a gateway for Russian propaganda, which even reaches EU states such as Austria. Southeast Europe expert Thomas Brey explains what the EU can do to counter toxic disinformation and which country could be the next to topple.

By Experts Table.Briefings

Opinion

January 12th, 2025

Religious freedom: Catholics certainly have freedoms in China

Pope Francis seeks rapprochement rather than confrontation with Beijing. Being a pastor in Shanghai, this makes a lot of sense to me. Because even if the freedoms for Chinese Christians are limited – it does exist.

By Fabian Peltsch

Opinion

January 9th, 2025

Xi Jinping and China's Year of the Snake

Soon it will be that time again. Official China comes to a standstill while its billion-strong population heads home – on the world's largest voluntary migration.

By Marcel Grzanna

Opinion

January 8th, 2025

Serbia: Where the EU's leniency towards 'dear Aleksandar' comes from

Students have been demonstrating against Serbia's president for weeks. Regressive reforms and rampant corruption are plaguing the country. Nevertheless, Aleksandar Vučić can rely on the support of Brussels and Berlin, writes Dušan Reljić in today's Opinion. The reason: "The West is left bare."

By Experts Table.Briefings

Opinion

January 6th, 2025

Philippines: Testing ground for Chinese influence operations

Beijing has been attempting to persuade Philippine decision-makers to adopt a pro-China stance – relying on investments and manipulation tactics. To prevent the Philippines from becoming more authoritarian, the West should offer the Philippines alternatives.

By Redaktion Table

Opinion

January 6th, 2025

Cognitive warfare: The blind spot of defensive democracy

German politicians are setting the wrong priorities in the fight against fake news, says Natascha Zowislo-Grünewald from the Bundeswehr University in Munich. Instead of an "endless search" for bots or trolls, we need communicative resilience.

By Experts Table.Briefings

Opinion

January 2nd, 2025

US tariffs and reforms: What will happen to China's economy in 2025?

2024 was not an easy year for the Chinese economy. Growth fell short of expectations. 2025 also has a lot in store for Beijing's economic policy – however, the latest data suggests that China's economy is finally getting its act together.

By Redaktion Table

Opinion

January 2nd, 2025

Softened CO2 limits harm the German car industry and motorists

Car manufacturers who have delayed electromobility fear penalties when the CO2 fleet limits fall in 2025. However, softening the restrictions would massively jeopardize the transformation and competitiveness of the industry.

By Experts Table.Briefings