Publication Archive

 

 

This archive contains all documents published by cep over the last few years:

cepAdhoc: Incisive comment on current EU policy issues

cepPolicyBrief: Concise reviews of EU proposals (Regulations, Directives, Green Papers, White Papers, Communications) – including an executive summary

cepInput: Impulse to current challenges of EU policies

cepStudy: Comprehensive examination of EU policy proposals affecting the economy

 

 

2022

The EU Commission wants to strengthen the internal market for investment funds with a package of measures. To this end, it plans to introduce regulations for loan-originating funds and to provide fund managers with uniform instruments for liquidity management. The Center for European Policy (cep) particularly welcomes the uniform requirements for loan-originating funds. However, it sees also enough room for improvement.

2022

Surging energy prices as a result of the Ukraine war are vehemently urging the European Union to turn away from fossil fuels. Brussels therefore sees potential in green hydrogen. The Center for European Policy (cep) considers this energy carrier to be an important, albeit limited, element on the path towards a decarbonized European economy.

2022

The EU wants to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 and by 55 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990. To this end, the European Commission has proposed an extensive set of measures ("Fit for 55"). The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) welcomes the highly controversial Emissions Trading System for Road Traffic and Buildings (EU EHS II) but calls for social cushioning of exploding energy prices.

2022

Crowdfunding platforms, 0%-financing, buy-now-pay-later offers: The variety of quickly available online credit has increased drastically. While these offers stimulate competition, they lead to new risks for consumers. To strengthen their rights and better protect them from private over-indebtedness, the Commission is working on a new Directive. The Centre for European Policy (cep) generally regards the reform as necessary, but views some of the proposals as too rigid and not yet fully developed.

2022

The Commission plans a "right to repair". It is intended to encourage consumers to use products longer and to oblige companies to extend the life of products as well as to guarantee better reparability. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) warns of a conflict between consumer and environmental protection.

2022

The Ukraine war is pushing the presidential elections in France into the background. At the same time, the question of more European sovereignty is coming into focus - a concern of Emmanuel Macron's since the first day of his presidency. The Centre de Politique Européenne in Paris has examined the situation in France in the light of Russia's war of aggression on a neighbouring state of the EU.

2022

"Dare to take progress further" is the motto of the traffic light coalition. 100 days after taking office, the SPD, the Greens and the FDP still have a lot of work to do. This is the result of the TESS progress index compiled by cep. The index measures progress in the 27 EU states under the headings of technology, environment, social affairs and state.

2022

In response to the Ukraine war, the European Union wants to completely phase-out imports of fossil fuels from Russia by 2027. By the end of this year, imports of Russian gas are already to be reduced by two thirds. The think tank Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) advocates targeted payments to households and businesses as compensation for further price increases. The Freiburg experts, however, reject the EU-wide price limits for gas and electricity being considered by the EU Commission.

2022

The year 2022 will be decisive for the EU's economic governance. After the softening of fiscal rules due to the Corona pandemic, the Commission decided on 19 October 2021 to tighten the reins again. The Centre de Politique Européenne in Paris has analysed the macroeconomic situation and developed proposals to stimulate growth while reducing debt-to-GDP ratios and achieving more fiscal sovereignty.

2022

The EU wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. Therefore, the share of renewable energies in the EU shall increase to 40 percent by 2030. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) sees rigid targets for the industry for using renewables as a competitive disadvantage for the EU.

2022

Die Europäische Union will bis 2030 rund 45 Milliarden Euro in die Produktion hochmoderner Halbleiter investieren. Dazu weicht die Kommission mit dem sogenannten Chips Act bislang geltende strenge Beihilferegeln auf. Mit diesem Paradigmenwechsel will Europa die Abhängigkeit von den USA und von China reduzieren sowie in Forschung und Produktion autonomer werden. Brüssel reagiert damit auf Lieferengpässe, unter denen nicht zuletzt die deutsche Autobranche leidet. Das cep hält das Gesetz für einen industriepolitischen Irrweg.

2022

Shortly before the deadline on 21 January, the German government commented on the European Commission's plan to declare nuclear power and natural gas sustainable. The think tank Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) sees a lever to legally stop the taxonomy.

2022

The European Union wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 by the end of this decade. Just one day before the EU climate package "Fit for 55" was published, France passed its own climate law. This also provides for a reduction of emissions, but only by 40 percent.

2021

Whether it is the unanimity principle, the rule of law or geostrategic importance: the European Union is at a crossroads. Germany, France and Italy - supported by new bilateral treaties - want to make the EU more capable of acting and return it to the international stage as an important player.