The European Council on Foreign Relations

ECFR this week: 4th May 2012

Date: 4th May 2012  |  Author: Andreas Mullerleile,

Categories: ECFR this week ,
Tags: , fiscal compact, hollande, ukraine, france, china

The outcome of the French elections will have a significant impact on the future of austerity and growth in Europe - and the ‘Fiscal Compact’ has become a major topic in this context. As part of our Reinventing Europe project, Sebastian Dullien explains in more detail how the ‘Fiscal Compact’ actually shapes fiscal policy and austerity in Europe and argues that a meaningful 'Growth Compact' may provide the best way forward. Jose Ignacio Torreblanca seems to agree and says that it's time to say “basta” to the nonsense of austerity.

Ulrike Guerot does not think that Hollande is the ‘most dangerous man in Europe’. On the contrary, Hollande might be the right president to reform the French economy and reinvigorate Franco-German relations. Thomas Klau is also convinced that  Europe should have no real reason to fear Hollande's victory.

• Emma Bonino and Marco de Andreis make the case that a ‘lite’ version of federation may provide a viable and practical solution to the euro crisis.
• ​​​François Godement argues that better relations between China and Eastern Europe may undermine the EU's ability to pursue a unified approach towards China.
• Nicu Popescu analyses the underlying rules of EU-Ukraine relations and discovers an outspoken EU diplomat.
• What can be expected from the upcoming season of grand international summits? -  Richard Gowan gives an overview.
• Dick Oosting explains why the coalition government in the Netherlands collapsed.
• And - last but not least: Mark Leonard, ECFR’s director just joined twitter - so make sure you follow him @markhleonard

Podcasts

• The French elections are also a topic in Spain and José Ignacio Torreblanca analyses the results of the first round on our Spanish podcast.
• ​The Madrid office also published a podcast with Manuel Manrique (FRIDE) and an interview with Diego Hidalgo (co-founder of El País and ECFR council member).

Jobs

• We are recruiting a Senior Policy Fellow on Russia and Wider Europe. ​
• ​Our office in Berlin offers a fellowship on "EU Economic Foresight".
• And our Middle East & North Africa (MENA) Programme is looking for an intern.