Spring 2024 Issue: Europe’s Vote, Europe’s Future

Editorial

Henning Hoff

Europe’s Vote, Europe’s Future

The European Parliament elections in June will be the most consequential yet.

What Europe Thinks ...

Luke Johnson

What Europe Thinks … About Who to Vote for in the European Parliament Elections

The European Parliament elections may augur whether the rest of the West will swing in a populist direction.

Cover Section

Dave Keating

The European Parliament Does More than You Think

European voters are in the habit of treating the European Parliament elections every five years as inconsequential protest votes. They should not do so this time.

Raphael Bossong

Nicolai von Ondarza

The Center Holds, But at What Cost?

European politics is braced for a potential right-wing surge at the 2024 European Parliament elections. The center-right European People’s Party (EPP) may face tricky decisions.

Shahin Vallée

Europe’s Hamiltonian Test Is Still to Come

It is time to discuss the future of the EU budget, its capacity to borrow and Europe’s taxing power with greater urgency.

Jana Puglierin

Germany Needs to Recover Its European Spirit

The government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz set out to define its foreign and security policy in “the European interest,” but has regularly failed to do so. It should change course now.

Jacob Ross

France’s Pivot to Europe

The European Union seems disoriented in 2024. The German chancellor is turning to Washington when leadership is needed. That leaves French President Emmanuel Macron.

John Kampfner

The UK-Shaped Hole in Organizing Europe’s Security

The Weimar Triangle of France, Germany, and Poland is now supposed to propel Europe’s response to Russia’s war against Ukraine, but it isn’t working. Including the United Kingdom is essential.

Berlin Cable

Henning Hoff

Trouble at the Top

It’s not much of a secret that Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz are very different characters. Their deepening rift is damaging the Franco-German relationship—and Europe.

Pariscope

Joseph de Weck

Why Macron’s Ukraine Offensive Is Unlikely to be a Winner at Home

President Emmanuel Macron is hoping that his tougher line vis-à-vis Russia will endear his party to voters. But the French care much less about foreign policy than one might think.

Carbon Critical

Emily Hardy

Dan Helmeci

The EU’s Desultory 2040 Emissions Reduction Pledge

The fine print for Europe’s ambitious reduction goal—90 percent by 2040—is on the line in Europe’s upcoming elections.

Brussels Briefing

Rebecca Christie

A Connected Europe in the Digital World

The EU needs more than rules to forge a successful technological future. Its digital policy will serve the bloc better if it stays open and consciously linked to the rest of the world.

Indo-Pacific Watch

Helena Legarda

The Bundeswehr Returns to the Indo-Pacific

Germany’s navy and air force are planning to beef up their participation in various military exercises halfway around the world in 2024. This speaks of a clearer strategy vis-à-vis China and the region.

The Wider View

Valentin Weber

The New Quantum Technology Race

With China and Russia collaborating on quantum technologies, the international race for superiority in this field is heating up. And Europe is well positioned to keep the pace.

Quarterly Concerns

Nathalie Tocci

Europe’s Impossible Middle East Mission

The EU has despatched a maritime mission to the Red Sea. Whether or not the root cause—Israel’s war in Gaza—is brought to an end will determine success or failure.