Summit analysisEurope's destinyEU parliament
  • Britain on the edge of Europe
    Insight by Charles Grant, 09 December 2011
    Summit analysis
  • Europe's date with destiny
    Bulletin article by Hugo Brady, 01 August 2011
  • Europe's parliament: Reform or perish?
    Essay by Denis MacShane, 04 April 2011
  • If Britain votes no ...
    Bulletin article by Charles Grant, 01 June 2004

    Some people claim to know what will happen if a British referendum defeats the European constitutional treaty. Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, points out that the treaty cannot enter into force unless it is ratified by every member-state.
  • An unstable house? Reconstructing the European Commission
    Working paper by Alasdair Murray, 05 March 2004

    For fifty years, the Commission has not only overseen the EU's day-to-day functioning, it has also often led the debate on the Union's direction and future. However, over the last decade or so, the Commission has lost much of its credibility.
  • Top Brussels appointment has to be right
    Opinion piece by Charles Grant
    Financial Times, 23 February 2004

    The European Commission, for many years the driving force of European integration, is in a sorry state. Some of the larger countries in the European Union openly flout the Commission's authority in areas such as the stability and growth pact.
  • Should Britain hold a referendum on the EU Constitution?
    Bulletin article by Steven Everts and Charles Grant , 01 January 2004

    Dear Charles,
  • After the Brussels summit: What next for the EU?
    Briefing note by Charles Grant, Katinka Barysch, 16 December 2003

    The manner and speed at which the Brussels European Council collapsed took most observers by surprise. Heads of state and government had arrived on the morning of Friday 12 December 2003, expecting negotiations to last until late on Sunday 14.
  • The CER guide to the Brussels summit
    Briefing note by Charles Grant, Katinka Barysch, 05 December 2003

    It is six months since the European Convention, a gathering of parliamentarians, government representatives and experts, presented its draft for an EU constitutional treaty. Since November, the EU governments – the current 15, plus the ten due to join on 1 May 2004 – have been negotiating a revision of this draft, in an 'inter-governmental conference' (IGC).

  • The case for a stronger European Parliament
    Working paper by Lousewies van der Laan, 07 November 2003

    The EU urgently needs a stronger and reformed European Parliament (EP). With 60 per cent of all legislation affecting citizens' lives discussed in Brussels, EU decision-making must become more democratic.
  • The CER guide to the draft EU constitution
    Policy brief by Charles Grant, 03 October 2003

    For the fourth time in little more than a decade, the EU is trying to overhaul its institutions and policies. The EU’s previous attempts, which culminated in the treaties of Maastricht in 1992, Amsterdam in 1997 and Nice in 2000, were less than fully successful. Citizens still perceive the EU as overly complex and bureaucratic.