Fondation Robert Schuman

Our activities in October 2024

■ Publication :

Schuman Report on Europe, State of the Union 2024

25,00€ - paper format

Shop | 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, particularly for its industry and defence. The book is available in French and English, in paper and digital versions. Order your copy now.

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■ Editorial :

No Successful transitions without moderation

06/10/2024

In the space of a few weeks, the European authorities have been forced to roll back environmental standards that had nevertheless been adopted democratically and with the agreement of the Member States: compulsory set-aside for farmers, a ban on imports of products ‘derived from deforestation’, and absolute protection for wolves. Other setbacks are also on the cards, including a ban on the manufacture of internal combustion engine vehicles from 2035, a ‘duty of care’ for companies towards their suppliers, and ‘greening’ obligations for the financial sector.

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Taken up in the media

28/10/2024

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■ Schuman papers :

A Union of criminal law - the vital European area of freedom, security and justice

28/10/2024

The growth in increasingly transnational crime highlights the need to create more internationalised judicial cooperation in criminal matters to effectively combat this phenomenon. According to Jack Stewart, the harmonisation of criminal law in Europe is no longer simply a key issue in ensuring an area of freedom, security and justice without internal borders, it has become central to the European integration process.

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Legislative elections in Georgia on 26 October: a referendum on Europe?

21/10/2024

The parliamentary elections in Georgia on 26 October will determine the country's future - autocratic or democratic. President Salome Zurabishvili sees them as a referendum for ‘a European, democratic and independent Georgia, or a Russian-led, authoritarian and isolated Georgia’. In the view of Elise Bernard and Vincent Godbillon, the ruling Georgian Dream party, which describes itself as ‘social democratic’, is increasingly seen as Russia's Trojan horse.

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What the European Parliament should ask of future Commissioners. The four challenges facing the new European Commission

14/10/2024

On the eve of the hearings of the Commissioners-designate appearing before Members of the European Parliament from 4 to 12 November, the Foundation believes that "four major issues are of concern to the European Union and the von der Leyen II Commission: the governance of the common institutions, their international action, their economic policy and the place given to standards and constraints". These are the questions that parliamentarians should be asking the future Commissioners.

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The European Union between the United States and China: should we choose between equidistance and following?

07/10/2024

The competition between the world's two major powers structures all international relations and influences the choices made by all the other countries,’ observes Philippe Etienne. Against this backdrop, Europe finds itself in a delicate situation: should we choose between equidistance and following? For Europe, there is obviously no equidistance between the two giants, for reasons of security, but above all for reasons of values. In this triangle between the United States, China and the European Union, Europeans must position themselves to defend their place in strategic value chains. In the final analysis, it is up to us not to allow others to dictate our future.

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■ European elections monitor :

Boyko Borissov’s Citizens for European Development in Bulgaria (GERB) come out ahead in the parliamentary elections but will need to find a majority

28/10/2024

For the 7th time since April 2021 and for the 2nd time this year, Bulgarians were called to the polls to elect the 240 members of the National Assembly (Narodno sabranie), the single chamber of Parliament. As expected, the balance of power was little changed by this new election. The Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), led by former Prime Minister (2009-2013, 2014-2017, 2017-2021) Boyko Borissov, won 26.4% of the vote.

Read the study | Read the results

The social-democrat opposition wins the legislative elections in Lithuania

14/10/2024

The Social Democratic Party (LSP), led by Vilija Blinkeviciute, came out ahead in the parliamentary elections held on 13 and 27 October in Lithuania with 52 seats out of 141 in the Seimas, the single chamber of parliament. It hopes to form a coalition to govern. It beat the Homeland Union-Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), the party of outgoing Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, led by Gabrielius Landsbergis, which won 28 seats.

Read the study | Read the results

■ Events :

Forum on Enlargement

24/10/2024

The European Economic and Social Committee organised a forum on enlargement on 24 October, in which Élise Bernard, the Foundation's Head of Studies, took part.

Watch the programme

Award of 2024 VGE Prize

14/10/2024

In partnership with the Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Foundation, the Robert Schuman Foundation organised the 6th edition of the VGE Prize. This prize is awarded to young Europeans for their commitment to and experience of Europe. 5 were awarded this year. The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

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Reducing territorial disparities

02/10/2024

On 2 October, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions organised a debate in Brussels between MEPs and local elected representatives on the main challenges facing Europe's regions and municipalities. Pascale Joannin, Managing Director of the Foundation, took part in the debate.

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■ Sites :

The Schuman Network, ideas for Europe

At the Foundation's initiative, 21 members from 13 European countries are working together to promote the sharing of ideas on current European issues. Since its launch, more than 125 studies have been published.

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Everything you need to know about the new European Parliament

As we approach the date of the hearings of the European Commissioners appointed by Ursula von der Leyen, the European Parliament stands out for its central and inescapable aspect. The Robert Schuman Foundation has set up a website to help you learn more about this institution : its composition, govenrnace, role and powers.

Visit the website

■ The Foundation in the media :

Immigration