Fondation Robert Schuman

Our activities in November 2024

■ Publication :

Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2024

25,00€ - paper format

Shop | The renewal of the European institutions has been completed. In the “Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union 2024”, eminent representatives from the worlds of politics, business, research and diplomacy paint a portrait of a Union that is tracing the contours of environmental and digital sovereignty and projecting itself into a new geopolitical era, full of new challenges, notably for its industry and defence. The book is available in French and English, in print and digital versions. Order your copy now!

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■ Editorials :

Europe: What needs to be done?

12/11/2024

It is not just the American presidential election that is calling Europe to action. On the international stage, everything demands a response, a strategy, concrete measures. The European Union, as the world's second or third largest power, has the means to do so. It has two priorities.

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How can we preserve peace which is now under threat?

03/11/2024

In addition to proven interference in Europe and the United States and, of course, the illegitimate war in Ukraine, Russian aggression, whether hybrid or overt, is a direct attack on Western democracies. China is lying in wait, adding fuel to the fire with its support for Putin's war and its all-out espionage. Wars are flaring up all over the world. The fait accompli and the use of force are once again making a brutal comeback. They are closing in. Europeans, so proud of the peace they have regained after centuries of strife, have allowed themselves to be blinded and manipulated by a coalition of autocrats, which now includes a number of rogue states intent on putting an end to an international order founded on the rule of law.

Read the editorial

■ Schuman papers :

Central Asia: a player still largely unknown in Europe

25/11/2024

Since the break-up of the USSR in 1991, the five former Central Asian republics (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), which have now become independent, have been tactfully trying to free themselves from the dual grip of Russia and China and, according to Pierre Andrieu, to apply a specific diplomacy to attract outside powers.

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Digital legislation: convergence or divergence of models? A comparative look at the European Union, China and the United States

18/11/2024

Digital regulation has taken off in autocracies and democracies alike. Its importance is universal, because digital technology poses challenges that are common to all states: the collection of personal data without users' knowledge, the precarious working conditions of couriers and delivery staff, the monopolistic practices of major platforms, and attacks on dignity and internal security. Anfang Ma looks at the different approaches to digital regulation chosen by three giants: China, the United States and the European Union.

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Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union: reforms undertaken in ten years and the challenges ahead

12/11/2024

Ten years ago, the European Union signed an association agreement with Ukraine. The process of rapprochement had begun. Snizhana Diachenko, Viktoria Melnyk and Dmytro Naumenko show the reforms that have been put in place or undertaken within this framework, the obstacles to this process created by the Russian aggression of February 2022, and the road that remains to be travelled to meet the challenges of finalising the terms of the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union, which gives concrete expression to the will of the Ukrainian people as expressed during the EuroMaïdan revolution.

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Draghi Report: a strategic and diplomatic guide for Europe

04/11/2024

The European Union must set itself on the path to more growth and employment in a world that is moving faster than it is itself; and the European Commission, which has a monopoly on legislative initiative, must be trained accordingly, notes Jean-Paul Betbeze, before going on to say: “No one will be able to say any more that they were unaware of what was happening: there are ways out of the spiral we are in, caught between the two world powers, the United States and China, a spiral that could crush us”

Read the study

■ European elections monitor :

A double surprise in Romania, where a far-right candidate that no-one was expecting comes out ahead in the 1st round of voting

25/11/2024

Calin Georgescu, whom the latest opinion polls credited with a maximum of 9% of the vote, came out ahead in the 1st round of the presidential election held on 24 November in Romania, with 22.95% of the vote. He beat Elena-Valeria Lasconi (Save Romania, USR), who achieved 19.17%. The Liberal candidate narrowly beat outgoing Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu (Social Democratic Party, PSD), who won 19.15%. George-Nicolae Simion (Alliance for the Union of Romanians, AUR) came 4th with 13.87%. The unexpected 2nd round will pit Calin Georgescu against Elena-Valeria Lasconi on 8 December. Between the two rounds, Romania held its parliamentary elections on 1 December. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) of outgoing Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu came out ahead the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), a far-right party chaired by George Simion. Negotiations to form the future government could be long and difficult.

Read the parliamentary elections results | Read the presidential election results | Read the study

The outgoing coalition is set to be re-elected in Ireland

29/11/2024

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called for the dissolution of the lower house of parliament on 8 November, taking advantage of his rising popularity to call early general elections for 29 November. But Fianna Fail (FF) led by Micheal Martin, came first with 21.9% of the vote. Following these results, the most probable scenario seems to be the maintenance of a coalition comprising Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and one or even two other parties.

Read the results | Read the study

■ Events :

The European Data Market

28/11/2024

The Centre for European Studies and the International Comparative European Law Team at Lyon III University organised a conference on the European data market. 4 round tables were organised, featuring professionals from the fields of Europe, law and data protection. Pascale Joannin, Managing Director of the Foundation, concluded the conference on the future of the European data market.

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The great enlargement twenty years on: assessment and prospects (2004-2024)

25/11/2024

Elise Bernard, Head of Research, spoke at a conference-debate organised by the Maison de l'Europe de Bordeaux-Aquitaine on ‘The major enlargement twenty years on: assessment and prospects (2004-2024).

Visit the website

■ Sites :

The Schuman Network, ideas in Europe

The Schuman Network, an initiative of the Foundation, is a platform which offers European think-tanks the opportunity to showcase their research into European issues. Comprising 21 members from 13 European countries, the Schuman Network brings together researchers specialising in European issues to encourage the sharing of ideas, debate and reflection on Europe. Since its launch 143 publications have been shared.

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Everything you need to know about the new European Parliament

The party leaders of the European Parliament having reached an agreement on the names of the 26 Commissioners-designate on 20th November, following a vote in plenary session on 27th November they were able to officially confirm the von der Leyen II Commission, which took up its duties on 1st December. The Robert Schuman Foundation has set up a website to help you find out more about the role of the Parliament, its composition and news.

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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 divergence 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, for Member States in the form of grants and loans. The Foundation's interactive map provides a country-by-country summary of the plans, including amounts, timetables and priorities.

Read the study

■ The Foundation in the media :

1000 days of conflict in ukraine