europeanstudiesreview

A Case for Reconnecting UK–EU Energy Markets

By Jordy Benooit Europe’s decarbonisation strategy increasingly depends on electrification. Transport, heating and cooling, and industry must switch from fossil to electric power, while the energy grids must be fitted to absorb rapidly growing volumes of wind, solar and other low-carbon generation. Focussing on localised energy production and storage alone will not be sufficient. ElectricityContinue reading “A Case for Reconnecting UK–EU Energy Markets”

British Migration Policy Versus Multilateralism: An Ideological Dogfight?

By James Kemmy Regional disintegration, pursued by Britain via Brexit, was notoriously supposed to “Take Back Control” and to realise an ambition of constructing sovereign borders within a contemporary global order. Although the Eurosceptic referendum campaign was largely driven by the promise to cut numbers of arrivals to British shores, migration to the UK has,Continue reading “British Migration Policy Versus Multilateralism: An Ideological Dogfight?”

The End of Swiss Neutrality?

By Ryan Hoi Kit Leung On 10th August, Ukraine and Switzerland reached an agreement in which the latter will represent Ukrainian interests in Russia. In light of the invasion, Ukraine severed diplomatic relations with Russia followed by the evacuation of its embassy in Moscow. According to Swiss media, Switzerland proposed to use its local embassyContinue reading “The End of Swiss Neutrality?”

Connecting the dots: The G7 plan to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative

By Robin Vandendriessche Connectivity has become a buzzword in Brussels ever since China kicked off its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. The strategic importance of the concept, however, is nothing new. Since the time of the Roman empire, great powers have pursued connectivity strategies, accessed markets and built infrastructure. Due to aContinue reading “Connecting the dots: The G7 plan to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative”

Danish Pragmatic Euroskepticism: From Maastricht to the June Referendum

By Simone Gagliardo The referendum held in Denmark on June 1st, 2022 marks a clear watershed in the country’s approach to European integration for the last three decades. On referendum day, Danes have decided to eliminate the opt-out to the Union’s defense policy that they had demanded in 1993 after rejecting the Maastricht Treaty. TheContinue reading “Danish Pragmatic Euroskepticism: From Maastricht to the June Referendum”

Spain’s Proposed Menstrual Leave: A step forward for Europe (seven decades later)

By Conor Courtney The prospective Spanish legislation providing for days off for employees suffering from menstrual cramps garnered worldwide attention in the media in recent weeks. However, this is not the first initiative of its type, and there may be much to learn from similar practices taking place across the globe. The Spanish Legislation TheContinue reading “Spain’s Proposed Menstrual Leave: A step forward for Europe (seven decades later)”