Fondation Robert Schuman

Our activities in February 2024

■ Editorial :

Europe, the moment of truth. An existential challenge

17/02/2024

"It must be made clear to Putin that Europe will not allow him to continue his abuses and that it has the means to oppose his misdeeds," writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani. "Even if their great Atlantic ally were to weaken, the Europeans must now set about offering a strong response to developments in Ukraine. They have the means to do so."

Read the editorial

■ Sites :

Everything there is to know about the European Elections 2024

From 6 to 9 June, Europeans are invited to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament for the next five years. The Foundation has set up a website to help you understand the role and missions of the European Parliament, the ballot and the issues at stake, and follow the campaign in each Member State.

Visit the website

Schuman Network, the European Ideas Platform

The Schuman Network aims to promote debate and reflection on European issues. Numerous contributions from think tanks on the international situation, the forthcoming European elections and the issues and challenges to be faced are available. Others will follow.

Visit the website

■ Schuman papers :

The various causes of the agricultural crisis in Europe

26/02/2024

With the International Agricultural Show just around the corner, the agricultural crisis is calling into question Europe's trade and environmental policies. The strategic dialogue launched by the Commission is intended to prepare the programming of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2027. According to Bernard Bourget, European agriculture has lost its competitiveness, and some countries with a surplus on the international market are finding themselves with a deficit on the European market.

Read the study

The Defence of Europe by Europeans: a myth, a necessity, an ambition, a hope?

19/02/2024

2024 will be a year of stress tests for European defence. The risk of American disengagement calls for an analysis of European aid to Ukraine: modern and effective, the weapons systems are nonetheless limited in number. For Jean-Paul Paloméros, Europe's strategic autonomy will depend on its ability to master new technologies, which will determine the future of its industry and its place in the world. The issue of nuclear deterrence is also part of the strategic debate.

Read the study

The BRICS, a geopolitical challenge overlooked by the European Union

12/02/2024

The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is the informal group that makes the global South visible on the international stage. Strengthened by the accession of Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran in January 2024, this BRICS+ grouping offers its members considerable freedom of political initiative. Although it presents itself as the embodiment of the new world order and resistance to the Western world, according to André Gattolin and Emmanuel Véron, it conceals another reality: that of being conceived and designed by Beijing. As such, its expansion implies an increased risk of conflict.

Read the study

Ukraine’s European Aspirations

05/02/2024

Having chosen Western values and been torn between East and West, Ukraine is now under attack from Russia. According to Myroslav Marynovych, it wants to join the European Union, which has changed a great deal since its founding fathers and will undoubtedly have to change even more in the future.

Read the study

■ European elections monitor :

Snap Election in Portugal

19/02/2024

Portuguese voters will go to the polls on 10 March to renew the 230 members of the Assembly of the Republic, parliament's single chamber. These early elections, two years ahead of schedule, are the result of the resignation on 7 November of Prime Minister Antonio Costa (Socialist Party, PS), who had been in office for eight years, after the indictment of his chief of staff, Vitor Escaria. According to an opinion poll conducted by the Consulmark2 institute between 6 and 12 February, the Democratic Alliance, made up of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Social Democratic Centre-People's Party (CDS/PP) and the Monarchist People's Party (PPM), is expected to win with 30% of the vote, just ahead of the PS, which is expected to win 27.4%.

Read the study

Alexander Stubb elected President of the Republic of Finland

12/02/2024

Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party, KOK) won the presidential election in Finland. He won the 2nd round of voting on 11 February with 51.6% of the vote, ahead of Pekka Haavisto (Green League, VIHR) who won 48.4%. Turnout was 70.7%. Alexander Stubb will officially succeed Sauli Niinistö on 1 March.

Read the study

■ Studies :

Map of European Recovery Plans

In response to the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Union has set up a €672.5 billion recovery fund, known as the "Recovery and Resilience Facility", to be used by Member States in the form of grants and loans. The Foundation offers you an interactive map of the plans country by country, to learn more about the amounts, timetables and priorities.

Read the study

Women in Europe

Europe is the continent of women, but there is still progress to be made. To illustrate the place of women in European politics, society and the economy, the Foundation has produced a map and three tables showing the number of women in governments, national parliaments and the European Parliament.

Read the study

■ Events :

The issues at stake in the European elections

22/02/2024

On 22 February, the Maison de l'Europe in Laval organised a conference with Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Foundation, on the European elections, their results and prospects in the fields of agriculture, the environment and energy, the economy and defence.

Visit the website

Taken up by the media