Fit for 35 Forum

A new SIEPS forum where experts from research, policy and think tanks present their thoughts on EU reform and enlargement in short texts.

Gradual EU integration: limits to an à la carte approach

April 2024 Blockmans Steven

While new plans for the gradual integration of candidate countries may help to speed up their accession process in certain policy sectors and serve EU interests, Steven Blockmans argues that such advances should be firmly anchored in the formal framework of membership negotiations and checked against comprehensive reforms of the rule of law and public administration. (24 April)

EU Enlargement: Exporting Stability or Importing Instability?

April 2024 Leigh Michael

Despite the security risks involved, there can be no going back on the EU’s commitment to a renewed enlargement process. Professor Michael Leigh outlines what steps policymakers need to take to fulfil the EU’s aspiration of securing stability. (3 April 2024)

Recent publications in English

The 2024 European Parliament Elections: Potential Outcome and Consequences

The European Parliament elections in June take place in a fragmented political landscape. Political scientists Simon Hix and Abdul Noury consider the expected election results, which point to unstable majorities and a challenge when it comes to build a majority for the election of the Commission President. (2024:10epa)

Von der Leyen’s Geopolitical Commission: Vindicated by Events?

On taking office in 2019, Ursula von der Leyen declared that she would lead a ‘geopolitical’ Commission. In this analysis, political scientist Calle Håkansson shows that this ambition had a larger impact than many expected. Developments since also point to a continued active and strategic role for the European Commission. (2024:7epa)

Stronger EU Partnerships for Sustainable Supply Chains

How can the EU better support the ‘greening’ of supply chains? One way, writes Mats Engström, is by building stronger partnerships with the low- and middle-income countries where the factories, farms, and green raw materials are often located. (2024:5epa)

CBAM: Bending the carbon curve or breaking international trade?

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a cornerstone of the EU’s trade and climate policy. Alexandra Buylova and Naghmeh Nasiritousi present the tool, consider its potential global impacts, and discuss how the EU can minimize unwanted side effects. (2024:9epa)

The European Health Data Space: Challenges and Opportunities

A proposal to regulate the use of health data in the EU – to create a ‘European Health Data Space’ – is currently being negotiated. David Fåhraeus, Jane Reichel and Santa Slokenberga explain the proposal and consider the implications for those affected: patients, medical practitioners, private firms and public administrations. (2024:2epa)

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Fit for 35 Forum

The EU is likely to eventually have up to thirty-five members and will need to adapt to accommodate them. SIEPS asks leading experts what the Union can or should do to be ‘Fit for 35’.

Conference on the rule of law

Watch recordings from the conference ”The Rule of Law: Crisis and Solutions”. The conference, co-organised by SIEPS on 17–18 April 2023, brought together distinguished scholars, policy-makers and practitioners to discuss the future of the rule of law in the EU.

SIEPS' research areas

The EU's political, economic and constitutional system represents one of SIEPS' research areas. Explore a selection of publications and seminars within this field.