Robert Schuman Foundation

On 28 March, the ban on the sale of new combustion engine vehicles on our continent by 2035 was finally adopted. This is a decision that is more dogmatic than reasoned, which challenges the leadership of the European automotive sector and will make its Chinese competitors happy, argues MEP Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé.

The New Democracy party of outgoing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis came out ahead in the Greek parliamentary elections on 21 May with 40.79% of the vote, ahead of Alexis Tsipras' radical left SYRIZA (20.07%), the Panhellenic Socialist Movement-Movement for Change (PASOK-KINAL, 11.46%) and 41 seats, and the Communist Party (7.23%). With 146 seats out of 300 in parliament, New Democracy does not have a majority, and a new election could be held by early July at the latest.

On 31 May, the 100 members of the Saeima, the single chamber of Parliament, are being called upon to elect Egils Levits' successor as President of the Republic of Latvia. 3 people are running for office: Edgars Rinkevics, Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2011, Uldis Pilens, leader of the United List (AS), and Elina Pinto (Progressives, PRO). For the time being, none of the three candidates has a majority in Parliament (51 votes).

The European Union is the world's second largest wheat exporter, behind Russia but ahead of the United States. But is it aware of its agricultural strengths and does it want to maintain them in the 21st century?

With one year to go before the European elections, it is important to engage in debates that are commensurate with what is at stake for Europe, such as the economy and innovation, or security and defence, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani.

In the face of rising geopolitical tensions and increasingly disordered multipolarity, the European Union has understood the imperative need to demonstrate "strategic responsibility" so that it can better defend its security interests.

On 9 May, the 73rd anniversary of Robert Schuman's declaration, we can celebrate an exemplary success; above all we must show that we are ready to finalise it, so that Europe remains among the three great powers, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani.

With broad perspective, hindsight and objectivity "The Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2023", analyses the profound changes that have taken place in Europe, and how they have been accelerated by the shock of the war in Ukraine. This 14th edition includes 30 original maps and a full set of commented statistics. The book is available in English in digital format.

The Foundation published the following studies in April:
- Giorgia Meloni's first six months by Anna Bonalume
- European Policies in the fight to counter propaganda by Marie Robin
- The European Union's New Life by Jean-Dominique Giuliani
- Judging Putin by Arnaud de Nanteuil
- The centre-right (KOK) wins the general elections in Finland, followed by the nationalist populists (PS) by Corinne Deloy
- Bulgaria still in deadlock after its 5th general elections in 2 years by Corinne Deloy
- New Democracy of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to come out ahead in the general elections but maybe without a majority by Corinne Deloy
- Incentive or prohibition by Jean-Dominique Giuliani

The challenge of protecting maritime gateways, combined with those arising from the war in Ukraine and the Union's desire to make plans for the Indo-Pacific, are leading to a strengthening of European naval operational cooperation and an increase in bilateral and multilateral industrial projects.

Giorgia Meloni's first six months as President of the Italian Council have been praised by the international press, but domestic consensus is beginning to crumble. The next few months will show whether the leader of Fratelli d'Italia will be able to solve the problems and challenges which the country faces.

Europe has changed, Jean-Dominique Giuliani emphasises in the introduction to the "Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2023", to be published by Marie B. In under five years the European Union has acquired most of the tools it needed to develop an industrial policy, to organise solidarity in times of hardship and a strategy of autonomy in economic and health matters.

In response to the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Union has introduced a €672.5 billion recovery fund. On 12 December, the Commission gave a positive assessment of the revised Luxembourg plan. On 16 December, it paid €1.4 billion to Bulgaria and €700 million to Croatia, and the Council adopted Hungary's plan. The Foundation offers you an interactive map of the plans country by country, to know the amounts and the timetable.

Member States and the EU have taken action to tackle rising energy prices. On 13 December, the Irish government mobilised €10 million to combat fuel poverty and €248 million for housing modernisation. Austria and Slovenia decided to tax energy companies' excess profits. In Germany, the Bundestag adopted on 15 December a cap on electricity and gas bills for households and industries. The Foundation provides a regularly updated map of these measures.

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