Tag "European Commission"
Geopolitical Impact of “The Hydrogen Factor”
Energy security has been at the center of the geopolitical conversation in recent weeks, as the invasion of Ukraine has shed a light once more on Europe’s dependency on Russian oil & gas. The incident has left leaders scrambling for alternative energy supply, manifesting in part through the unveiling of the EU’s plan to end their reliance on Russian gas. Hydrogen as an energy carrier is a core pillar of this plan, with the European Commission calling for a quadrupling of hydrogen use by 2030.
Fidesz-Managed Foundations Assume Control of Hungary’s Higher Education System
Through a recent $1.7 billion allocation (comprised of government funds and various property assets) to the privately managed foundation, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (M.C.C.), Victor Orban has expanded the mandate of his governing party, Fidesz, to include the unilateral administration of Hungary’s university system. The immensity of the monetary transfer coupled with the deliberate inclusion of private, Fidesz adjacent interests represent the further consolidation of Orban’s autocratic power and jeopardize institutional legitimacy through unfettered kleptocratic corruption. Though the geopolitical implications cannot yet be quantified, the impact of Orban’s flagrant, politically motivated annexation of Hungarian higher education on capital markets and electoral politics could, potentially, be significant.
The Energy Charter Treaty: a Threat to the European Union’s Climate Ambition
The 1994 International Treaty protects investors in the energy sector from States’ policy changes. This firmly blocks the EU’s available spending towards its long term goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The EU tries to revive Western Balkan Enlargement in Midst of a Pandemic
Russia, China, and the EU have tried to use the Covid pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen their influence in the Western Balkans. An Economic and Investment Plan announced by the European Commission is an attempt by the EU to revive the enlargement process after stalling following the French veto of accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. The risk for the EU lies in whether the Investment Plan will be enough to help resolve the region’s issues of corruption and internal disputes as well as meet the geopolitical challenge presented by Russia and China.
EU treaty instrument may mitigate risk of money laundering in the single market
The European Commission is planning to use Article 116 of TFEU in order to clamp down on multinational companies using favourable tax schemes in some EU member states to their advantage. The treaty instrument is designed to mitigate the risks associated with foreign subsidies that distort competition in the single market.
The Truth about European Champions
If the EU wants to compete globally, it must shed its emphasis on competition rules and relax its stringent merger regulations to favour the rise of European corporate champions.
EU divisions and US sanctions to delay Nord Stream 2
Under pressure from US sanctions, legislation in Denmark, and weakening support in Germany, Nord Stream 2 will likely be significantly delayed.
Why Nord Stream 2 will go ahead despite opposition
Opposition to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be outweighed by existing investments, economic benefits, and the backing of major European powers.
New EU cyber strategy leaves key security gaps
GRI examines the strengths and weaknesses of Europe’s cyber strategy “Resilience, Deterrence and Defence: Building strong cybersecurity for the EU”.
Italy’s banking dilemma: Improving, but still needing help
Italy’s banking industry has gone through a recent rough period. But with an infusion of new funds and a call for much needed reforms, there may be a chance that there will be improvement.
