German Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2020: Awakening for Europe in Times of Crisis

European Democracy Conference 2020

Germany’s turn to chair the Presidency of the Council of the EU for a half-year term from July 1st, 2020 onwards, arrives directly in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The German government has a considerable task ahead. Not only must the German Presidency confront the current challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, but also it will have to find compromises for urgent questions in common asylum policy and maintaining the rule of law. What expectations do in fact our European neighbors have of the EU, and of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU? In our dossier, European experts answer these questions and trace the debates from their individual home countries.

At our European Annual Conference on May 28th, 2020, we speak with representatives from politics, academia, political advising and civil society from all over Europe in order to analyse the current crisis and to discuss, both controversially and constructively, the future of the EU.

Programme 2020

Conference Documentation

Europagebäude, Sitz des Rates der Europäischen Union

Council Presidency as a chance? Germany’s new role for the EU Council Presidency

Background

On July 1st, Germany will take over the EU Council Presidency in midst the Corona pandemic. This presents opportunities for Germany to redefine its European policy. How does Germany perceive its role in the European Union and what are the expectations of other member states for the German Council Presidency?

By Christine Pütz and Claudia Rothe

Europe needs a Real Green Deal!

Commentary

The German government must fight for a Real Green Deal for Europe that combines economy and ecology and sets the course for a socio-ecological market economy. Dr. Ellen Ueberschär describes what that could look like.

By Dr. Ellen Ueberschär

Französische Nationalfahne an einem Gebäude über einer roten Ampel

A German EU Presidency cannot succeed without France

Background

Europe could still emerge from the pandemic crisis sustainably positioned and strengthened, but only if the Franco-German tandem works. The plans for a reconstruction fund of 500 billion euros mark a turnaround in the right direction.

Erwartungen der griechischen Regierung: Griechische und europäische Flaggen an einem Gebäude angebracht.

Expectations of the Greek government and Greek civil society of the 2020 German EU Council Presidency

Background

At the beginning of 2020 it looked as if the Greek economy would recover with above average growth from 10 years of financial crisis.The corona pandemic has shattered these prospects. Greek society is now hoping for support from the German Council Presidency.

By Olga Drossou

Solidarität und keine Barmherzigkeit: Das Bild einer Euromünze an eine Wand projiziert.

Italian expectations of the German EU Council Presidency

Background

The disappointment in Italian society in relation to the EU at the beginning of the corona crisis has now changed to confidence. Now the expectations of financial solidarity are particularly directed towards the forthcoming German EU Presidency.

By Christopher Hein

A critical point for EU–UK relations: The British perspective on the German Council Presidency

Background

Britain is in the midst of finalising the Brexit transition process while also being hit especially hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The German Council Presidency has to protect public health all over Europe while also preventing another financial crisis from happening. But this might also give new momentum to systemic change towards a more sustainable economy.

By Molly Scot Cato

Spanien erwartet konkrete Vorschläge: Europaflagge in Straßburg

Spanish demands on the EU and the German EU Council Presidency

Background

Europe and European politics do not currently play a central role in the social debate in Spain. This makes it all the more important for Europe to come up with clear proposals to overcome the crisis.

By Susanne Rieger

A (partial) defense of the Frugal Four

Background

Sweden has recently become known as one of the members of the Frugal Four group in the negotiations concerning the new European long-term budget. These member states are skeptical towards the idea of corona bonds, and, as net contributors to the EU budget, they are open to paying more to the EU but “there are limits”.

By Anders Schröder

European, of course!?

E-Paper

A clear majority of Germans wish for both an active and a cooperative German presence in the EU. Our study examines the actual outlook of German citizens as well as citizens’ reported priorities for the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.

pdf

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Europas Umrisse mit Sternen und Friedenstaube

German Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2020: Awakening for Europe in Times of Crisis

European Democracy Conference 2020

Conference Documentation

Council Presidency as a chance? Germany’s new role for the EU Council Presidency

Europe needs a Real Green Deal!

A German EU Presidency cannot succeed without France

Expectations of the Greek government and Greek civil society of the 2020 German EU Council Presidency

Italian expectations of the German EU Council Presidency

A critical point for EU–UK relations: The British perspective on the German Council Presidency

Spanish demands on the EU and the German EU Council Presidency

A (partial) defense of the Frugal Four

European, of course!?

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