Foundation for European Progressive Studies

The final speech before the decisive battle. This is how one might describe the State of the Union address delivered on 16 September by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament - though with the ambition of speaking to the w

In last week's parliamentary elections in Sweden, the Swedish Social Democratic Party undoubtedly became the largest party, with the support of 28 per cent of voters and a strong chance of leading the next government by replacing the incumbent right-wing

The State of the Union is a very special exercise for the president of the European Commission. Its main purpose is to show that the Commission has a clear vision to tackle the numerous challenges and perils the Union is facing, and that, despite the comp

Attacks on civil society are no longer just a problem for those countries and organisations normally associated with democratic backsliding. It is a European trend that, unfortunately, no longer excludes even progressive parties. The arrests of thousands

90 years ago, in July 1936, the Bayreuth opera festival featured Richard Wagner's Siegfried, as it had many times before and since. After this performance, however, one of the festival's regular guests, who was the leader of Germany at the time, received

Remembering the historic turnout of 300,000 Europeans at Budapest Pride 2025, European Social Democrats, led by Rainbow Rose - the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer organisation associated with the Party of European Socialists (PES) - part

The entry into force of the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June could have been seen as a major turning point in the development of a common policy in these areas and hailed as such. Yet the reactions were rather low-key. Admittedly, the presiden

The new EU 'deportation bill' was adopted by the European Parliament amid roaring applause, laughter and chants of "send them back, send them back!" For many people watching, the scenes sent shivers down their spines. Indeed, such scenes should be of grav

The EU migration and asylum reforms became applicable on 12 June, but their impact and credibility will depend on what happens next. At the border, screening, border procedures and Eurodac - the EU's asylum database - must work together. If legal and oper

The Pact on Migration and Asylum has been presented as a turning point, with its entry into force as the culmination of a lengthy process marked by tensions unlike any seen in almost any other reform effort in the history of EU integration. The pact cryst