Most Read Articles of 2015

Anthony Salamone Since our launch six months ago, European Futures has featured contributions from across the broad range of issues facing Europe today – from the UK’s EU referendum to the Eurocrisis, from the migration crisis to EU-Russia relations. Much more to come from us in the weeks and months ahead. Managing Editor Anthony Salamone …

Rationalising the Irrational? How to Make Sense of Member States’ Responses to the Asylum Crisis

Pontus Odmalm Mainstream political parties in Europe have largely found it difficult to develop coherent policies to address the asylum crisis, writes Pontus Odmalm. He suggests that, unless party elites can connect their ideologies with policy solutions and navigate arguments on policy competence, the response to the crisis may continue to be haphazard and ineffective. …

The EU’s Relations with Kosovo – Achievements, Limits, Challenges

Gëzim Krasniqi The EU plays a major role in Kosovo’s development, despite the fact that several Member States do not recognise its independence, writes Gëzim Krasniqi. While the recently signed EU-Kosovo Association Agreement is a significant political step, he suggests, the benefits for Kosovo may be minimal in the short term, and unresolved questions over …

EU Energy Union: Is There Anything New Under the Sun?

Francesca Batzella The European Commission’s proposal for a European Energy Union is just the latest development in the long history of EU energy policy, writes Francesca Batzella. She suggests that the aims and substance of the Energy Union are broadly a continuation of previous initiatives, and that its greatest innovation may well be its new …

Britain’s Response to the Refugee Crisis in the Mediterranean

Gareth Mulvey The UK Government’s approach to the current refugee crisis in Europe is a continuation of policies intended to discourage migration to Britain, writes Gareth Mulvey. He argues that this strategy will do little to address the situation, may cause tension between London and the devolved administrations and could hamper relations with the rest …

The Crisis of Schengen is the Crisis of the EU

Ester Herlin-Karnell The Schengen system of borderless travel across much of Europe faces many challenges, from the migration crisis to preventing crime and terrorism, writes Ester Herlin-Karnell. She argues that the system must be reformed to ensure that it is equipped to address these concerns, and that the reform process provides an opportunity for the …

Greece’s Fiscal Crisis: Some Distance Yet to Run

Dermot Hodson The risk of Grexit – Greek exit from the euro area – has diminished after a summer of dramatic political developments, writes Dermot Hodson, but it has not gone away. High debt levels, uncertainty over further debt relief and the outlook for growth and inflation, he argues, point to persistent contradictions over Greece’s …