• Briefing note by Charles Grant, 01 May 2009

    Spain punches below its weight in EU policy-making. Since Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero became prime minister, five years ago, Spanish influence in the EU has diminished.

  • Opinion piece by Hugo Brady
    E!Sharp, 03 April 2009

    The credibility of Ireland’s already weak government will be on the line when it puts the Lisbon Treaty to a second referendum later this year.

  • Opinion piece by Charles Grant
    The Times, 29 March 2009

    Europe's leaders have plenty to fret about. The Czech Government, which holds the EU presidency, has collapsed. The European Commission is battling against the protectionist instincts of some states.

  • Opinion piece by Philip Whyte
    The Times, 13 March 2009

    Nicolas Sarkozy stung us when he claimed last month that Britain, unlike France, “has no industry”. Since the implosion of the financial sector, it has become an article of faith that the British economy is paying for its excessive reliance on services.

  • Insight by Simon Tilford, 19 February 2009

    Twelve months ago it seemed inconceivable that any member of the EU could face a sovereign debt crisis. It would have been the stuff of fantasy to argue that Ireland or Austria could be among those at risk.

  • Insight by Hugo Brady, 08 December 2008

    Ireland’s parliament – the Oireachtas – recently published a lengthy report on where the country’s relationship with the EU stands after the country’s rejection of the Lisbon treaty by referendum.

  • Opinion piece by Charles Grant
    Financial Times, 05 December 2008

    In Brussels, Paris, Washington and other capitals, one increasingly hears the same complaint: Germany is acting unilaterally. On a broad range of issues, the Germans seem to think the European Union no longer advances their interests and are more prone to go their own way.

  • Opinion piece by Simon Tilford
    Financial Times, 27 November 2008

    Sir, Paul Betts (“All for one, but none for all to revive Europe’s fortunes”, November 24) argues that Germany should wait for other countries to boost their economies (and hence demand for German exports) rather than taking steps to boost German domestic demand.