VoteWatch Analytical Tool: EU Foreign policy, mapping MEPs’ views and influence

Leave a comment Published in: Foreign policy, Insights, News, Politics & Institutions, Varia
Copyright: European Union

This report is part of the new VoteWatch series showing you how to build your strategy using our new analytical tool (which is explained in-depth here) and which allows you to quickly identify kingmakers and swing-voters among MEPs. This tool is already been used by key stakeholders active in EU policy-making.

By combining (objective) data science with expert insight, we filter out the noise and show the actual positions of each MEP on key parts of the EU foreign policy agenda. Continue Reading

Executive webinar: EU Foreign policy, mapping MEPs’ views and influence

Leave a comment Published in: Foreign policy, News, Policy, Varia
Copyright: European Union

Thursday 27 May at 10.00-10.30 (Zoom)

This free executive webinar is for senior EU affairs professionals and campaigners of public and private stakeholders who are involved in shaping EU policies aimed at strategic autonomy and relations with international partners.

We will show the actual position and level of influence of key MEPs and how majorities are being built. Continue Reading

Exclusive interview: the outlook for EU-Colombia relations in an increasingly divided world

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By Carolina Chaparro Alba

The increasingly assertive behavior of the US administration and of other major powers such as Russia and China,  is posing a challenge to the clout of the EU in the world. While also facing the rise of nationalist forces across the European continent, the EU executive branch is becoming more isolated in its promotion of a consensus-driven approach to internal relations. Continue Reading

Survey results: who will lead the EU after 2019?

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How will the EU institutions look like after the 2019 reshuffle? This is the question on everyone’s mind in Brussels, but the answers differ based on the information that one has (one’s personal mini-bubble). In order to get an overview of the expectations of the EU affairs community as a whole,  VoteWatch Europe has surveyed more than 1.000 members of the broader ‘EU bubble’ (which also includes national civil servants, whose views are more reflective of the different national perspectives) for their views regarding the reallocation of top EU positions in 2019 (Presidencies of European Commission, European Parliament, European Council and European Central Bank). Continue Reading

Interview: China’s long shadow over EU-Taiwan relations

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by Hsiao-Chiang (Jeff) Hsu – Business Development Assistant at VoteWatch Europe

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Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relationships with Taiwan, the EU has established solid relations with the first democratic country in East Asia over the past decades. Economic relations between the two partners are particularly close and dynamic: Taiwan is currently the EU’s fourth largest trading partner in Asia and the EU is Taiwan’s fourth largest export market. Continue Reading

Exclusive Interview: Japan’s Ambassador to the EU provides insight on future Euro-Japanese cooperation

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The recent withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the halt in the Euro-American TTIP negotiations, the Brexit process and all the burgeoning voices worldwide demanding stronger protections of their special interests are signs of a general deterioration of trust in international trade (we predicted such changes back in 2016).  Continue Reading

This is why the EU lacks a position on the Middle East crises

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Qatar responded to the ultimatum imposed by other Gulf countries, as the tensions in the region keep escalating. While the US is very active, the EU seems to lack the ability to have a coherent position on these developments. Why? This report shows how key European political actors have different preferences for their coalition partners in the Middle East, which leads to the EU as a whole having an ambiguous response when these regional crises occur. Continue Reading

Germany in 2017: how would a CDU-Greens-FDP government change Berlin’s policies?

Leave a comment Published in: Constitutional affairs, Council, Economy, Foreign policy, Insights, Politics & Institutions, Society, Varia

At a time when Europe can count less on the US and the UK, Germany becomes more important than ever in determining the future of Europe, reason for which the entire continent now has a huge stake in Berlin’s future policy orientations. After an incredible 11 continuous years in government, Merkel’s CDU is poised to win yet another round of elections in September 2017. Continue Reading

EU and US send opposite signals to Iran’s reconciliation plan

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The agreement between the international community and Iran is under question now that Donald Trump will preside over the United States. The new American President has taken a clear position against the deal throughout his campaign. In contrast, just a couple of weeks ago the Europeans have expressed very contrasting views, voting a resolution that endorses closer economic and political relations with Iran. Continue Reading

Turkey’s Accession to the EU: VoteWatch analysis on eleven years of voting on accession negotiations with Turkey

Leave a comment Published in: EP Plenary, Foreign Affairs, Foreign policy, Insights, Policy briefs, Research

by Michael Kaeding[1] and Felix Schenuit

The political situation between Turkey and the EU is getting increasingly delicate. Recent developments, including Erdogan’s clear-cut reactions towards the resolution of the German Bundestag on the Armenian Genocide or the “Böhmermann affair” illustrate how big the differences are between Turkey and EU’s Member States. Continue Reading