Europe

Economic policy in Europe is visibly shifting towards prioritizing competitiveness over green objectives. Over the past year, former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta published an ambitious report in support of the EU single market, followed by Mario Draghi\'s widely quoted report on the future of European competitiveness.

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election has understandably caused a stir worldwide. There is a prevailing fear of the radicalism and unpredictability of the new president’s actions as he has already shown his controversial nature while holding this office between 2016 and 2020. Even as president-elect, Trump expressed ownership aspirations toward the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada.

There is a \'vibe shift\' going on around economic growth and deregulation. With new governments in the US and UK making radical reforms to pare back the regulatory state and foster growth and investment, the EU risks being left behind. Poland is positioning itself as the driving force behind a revival of European economic growth.

How can the European Union woo Donald Trump? Why immigration is beneficial and morally right? And what is the EU\'s potential for change and reform? Leszek Jazdzewski (Fundacja Liberte!) talks with Philippe Legrain, a former economic adviser to the president of the European Commission, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics’ European Institute.

The key elements of a stable and sustainable pension system are long-term sustainability and the shared responsibility between the citizens and the state for a dignified and well-funded old age. However, the political parties that entered the elections in Lithuania have little regard for the worsening demographic trends.

What is the relation between culture and populism? What should we know about EU cultural policy? And what is the role of philanthropy in shaping modern culture?

Paris will host one of the most important sporting events this year - the Summer Olympic Games. And the race is already on, with nearly half of all voters worldwide expected to go to the ballot box this year. Nine parliamentary elections will occur or already have occurred in European countries alone, with thousands of candidates competing for 720 seats in the European Parliament.

The combined military spending of NATO members is 18 times that of Russia, with a massive advantage in all types of weaponry. Being this afraid in a situation like that seems a peculiar way of doing the right thing, Raul Rebane notes in Vikerraadio\'s daily comment. Full-scale war has been raging for over two years in Ukraine, and fatigue is clearly setting in.

In their election manifestos for the European Parliament, the political parties have paid a lot of attention to environmental issues; there is talk of steps towards climate neutrality, but also of issues that directly affect Estonian entrepreneurs and rural life. The Reform Party\'s program links the environment with security. According to candidate Hanah Lahe, the party emphasizes restoring and preserving biodiversity.

How is Italy positioning itself in the struggle for leadership in Europe? Will the surge of far-right movements determine the EU agenda? And will the European Union finally become a global player in its own right?