Fondation Robert Schuman

Our activities in January 2025

■ Editorials :

Trump: a strong westerly wind for Europe

20/01/2025

The inauguration of the 47th President of the United States and his programme to break with the past have given rise to much speculation and concern. Europeans are looking towards Ukraine and Russia, hoping that they will not be the passive victims of an over-hasty response to satisfy the tyrant in Moscow, which would confirm a vision that is far removed from European interests. But for Europe, the consequences of Donald Trump's likely domestic policy decisions could be at least as worrying.

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A European Agenda for 2025

12/01/2025

Faced with these challenges, there is no need to despair, as we all too often see at home. Europe is well equipped to respond. In fact, it has already embarked on genuine transformations. And it is continuing to do so. It is in a position to regain the enthusiasm of its beginnings, because it will very soon appear as the best example and the true promoter of liberal democracy in the face of the dictatorships and autocracies that are on the rise. A cause to be defended with those of our allies who wish to do so. But if need be, all alone.

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■ Schuman papers :

Polish Presidency of the Council - A paradigm shift in Poland's European policy

27/01/2025

Since 1 January, Poland has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This comes at a time when the European Union is facing major existential challenges, particularly with the war in Ukraine, which resonate particularly strongly in Poland. Indeed, the country is in a unique position to shape the future of the continent, and its leadership is at a turning point. This is not the first time that the history of Europe has been decided in Central Europe, but it is perhaps the first time that it has had the opportunity to significantly influence its course.

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De Gasperi – Schuman: the origins of the European Project

20/01/2025

At the very origin of the European project, there were at least two men, the Italian Alcide de Gasperi and the Frenchman Robert Schuman, who had many things in common: they were both frontiersmen who shared the same political, religious and linguistic views. To mark the 70th anniversary of Alcide de Gasperi's death, the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Fondazione Alcide De Gasperi organised an event in Paris on 15 January, two of the contributions to which we are now publishing. At a time when the European project is facing major challenges at the start of this year, it is worth remembering the courage and vision of those who laid the foundations of European integration 75 years ago.

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Between the Baltic and the Balkans, the new geopolitics of gas

13/01/2025

On 31 December 2024, the gas transit agreement signed in 2019 between the Ukrainian network operator and Russia expired. Gilles Lepesant details the recent developments in the new geopolitics of gas since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the alternatives that have followed, particularly in Europe.

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■ Elections monitor :

The Alternative for Germany could make a major breakthrough in the federal elections on 23 February, for which the Christian Democratic Union remains the favourite

27/01/2025

German voters are being asked to renew the 630-member Bundestag on 23 February, 7 months before the end of the legislature, following the implosion of the tripartite coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP) in November and the vote of no-confidence in December. According to the latest opinion polls, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Friedrich Merz is expected to come out ahead with 30% of the vote. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), led by Alice Weidel, would come second with 21%, ahead of the SPD with 16%. The Greens would obtain 12% and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a radical left-wing party, 7%. The FDP and Die Linke are unlikely to pass the 5% threshold for representation in the Bundestag.

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Victory for the outgoing head of state Zoran Milanovic in the second round of the presidential election in Croatia

13/01/2025

Outgoing head of state Zoran Milanovic was re-elected by a large margin with 74.68% of the vote, the highest result for a head of state since the country regained its independence in 1991. He was well ahead of independent candidate Dragan Primorac, supported by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's party, the Democratic Union (HDZ), who won 25.32% of the vote. 44.18% of voters turned out at the polls, 1.83% fewer than in the first round.

Read the study | Results of the 1st round

■ Events :

Polish Presidency of the Council - A paradigm shift in Poland's European policy

27/01/2025

The event provided an opportunity to present the study "Polish Presidency of the Council - A Paradigm Shift in Poland's European Policy" by Piotr Buras and Michal Matlak. The discussion focused on the evolution of Poland's European policy and its implications for the future of the Union.

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The consequences for the European Union of the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States

22/01/2025

The French National Assembly's Committee on European Affairs organised a round table discussion on the consequences for the European Union of Donald Trump's return to the White House. Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation, was one of the speakers.

Visit the website | Watch the video

France's role in the new European institutions?

22/01/2025

At a time when Europe is being challenged on issues such as defence, industry and digital technology, the Foundation is organising a breakfast debate with Thierry Breton, who dealt with many of these issues at the Commission between 2019 and 2024.

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A European defence industry programme (EDIP)

17/01/2025

François-Xavier Bellamy, MEP and rapporteur for the European defence industry programme, spoke to a number of French and European players about the challenges posed by the EDIP regulation.

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Taken up in the media

Faced with Trump and Putin, the EU is looking for money to defend itself

02/02/2025

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De Gasperi, Schuman and the origins of the European Project

15/01/2025

To mark the 70th anniversary of the death of Alcide de Gasperi, the Robert Schuman Foundation and the Fondazione Alcide De Gasperi organised a debate on the origins of the European project at the Italian Cultural Institute in partnership with the Italian Embassy in France

Visit the website | Visit the website 2 | Visit the website 3

Taken up in the media

13/01/2025

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■ Sites :

The Schuman Network, Ideas in Europe

Launched by the Robert Schuman Foundation in November 2023, the Schuman Network comprises 21 think-tanks from 13 European countries. With 148 studies shared since its creation, this initiative enriches debate and stimulates ideas about Europe. The Schuman Network encourages exchanges between researchers specialising in European issues and facilitates the sharing of studies on a variety of themes.

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Everything you need to know about the new European Parliament

The European Parliament has recently formalised two new full parliamentary committees, illustrating the changes in this dynamic institution of the European Union. The Robert Schuman Foundation has set up a website to help you become more familiar with this complex and fascinating institution. The role of the Parliament, its composition and its news will be explained in detail.

Visit the website

■ Files :

A recap of the retirement systems across Europe

The Foundation offers a summary table of all the different pension systems in the 27 Member States of the European Union, updated and available in French and English.

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European recovery plans: figures and priorities

In response to the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, to limit the risk of divergences within the single market and to implement the dual climate and digital transition, the European Union has set up a €672.5 billion recovery fund, known as the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The Foundation's interactive map provides a country-by-country summary of the plans, including amounts, timetables and priorities.

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■ The Foundation in the media :

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