Research

Reform of Europe's wholesale power markets: In need of a jolt?

Reform of Europe's wholesale power markets: In need of a jolt?

13 June 2023
The European Commission’s proposal to reform the electricity wholesale market is modest, but pragmatic. But the EU must strengthen the grid to improve its energy security: infrastructure planning should be co-ordinated at European level. 

Europe can withstand American and Chinese subsidies for green tech

12 June 2023
European policy-makers are fretting about subsidised green tech imports from the US and China. But shipping costs are increasingly discouraging imports of these goods from faraway countries.

EU-UK co-operation in defence capabilities after the war in Ukraine

09 June 2023
Despite warming EU-UK relations, defence co-operation remains thin and the EU’s deepening involvement in defence industrial policy means there is a growing gap in developing military capabilities.
Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership: Going from Bucharest to Vilnius without moving?

Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership: Going from Bucharest to Vilnius without moving?

08 June 2023
At its upcoming Vilnius summit, NATO is likely to offer Ukraine a closer relationship than before, but less than full membership.
Erdoğan's victory and the West

Erdoğan's victory and the West

31 May 2023
Erdoğan’s re-election as Turkish president means that Ankara’s relations with its Western allies will remain turbulent. The West should expect a bumpy ride. 

The Commission: More power demands more accountability

Camino Mortera-Martinez
30 May 2023
As the European Commission becomes more political, it will need to embrace both the Spitzenkandidaten process and reform.   

25 years on ...

30 May 2023
This 150th edition of the bulletin appears 25 years after the first. It prompts me to recall the birth of the CER in 1998.  

Why the EU can be tougher on China

30 May 2023
EU policy-makers have dithered over their approach to China and Taiwan. They must persuade Beijing that the economic consequences of an invasion would hurt China, but be bearable for the EU.  
The UK's competition authority is ready to regulate big tech

The UK's competition authority is ready to regulate big tech

26 May 2023
The UK competition authority has decided Microsoft cannot acquire games company Activision. This should reassure politicians that the authority wants dynamic and competitive markets.
Are the costs of Brexit big or small?

Are the costs of Brexit big or small?

09 May 2023
Critics say my estimate – that the British economy is around 5 per cent smaller due to Brexit – is implausibly large. This insight tests their scepticism against other ways to estimate the cost of Brexit.

Can the European Political Community be a bridge between the UK and the EU?

28 April 2023
The European Political Community (EPC) could promote closer EU-UK co-operation. But the EPC's ability to do so will depend on its future evolution, which only partly hinges on UK-EU relations.

Protecting Europe's critical infrastructure from Russian hybrid threats

Helmi Pillai
25 April 2023
European policy-makers are concerned about the threat posed by Russia's hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure.
Note to the West: Help Georgia and Moldova as well as Ukraine

Note to the West: Help Georgia and Moldova as well as Ukraine

21 April 2023
Russian influence in Georgia and Moldova is a threat to Western interests. While Putin is tied up in Ukraine, the West should weaken his position in the other two states.
Will the EU's reform of retail electricity markets help consumers?

Will the EU's reform of retail electricity markets help consumers?

19 April 2023
Retail energy markets in Europe have performed poorly during the recent crisis. The Commission’s proposed reforms are a step forward, but they should do more to empower consumers and protect the vulnerable. 
Five proposals for enforceable EU fiscal rules

Five proposals for enforceable EU fiscal rules

Sander Tordoir, Jasper van Dijk, Vinzenz Ziesemer
17 April 2023
As the EU reforms its fiscal rules it risks repeating past mistakes. The EU should couple Commission discretion with stronger enforcement mechanisms to get member-states to follow debt reduction plans.

Where is Britain's growth plan?

03 April 2023
The government will have to confront vested interests and raise investment to boost growth. A strategy founded on trade deals with far-off countries and deregulation won’t work.

The best national security that (no) money can buy?

03 April 2023
The UK’s ‘Integrated Review refresh’ is more sober than its 2021 precursor. But the gap between the challenges the UK faces and the resources available to meet them has grown.

A British strategy for Europe?

03 April 2023
After nearly seven years of acrimony, the UK and the EU are talking sweetly to each other. The Ukraine war reminded them how much they have in common.