Governance Lab

What are the dynamics between EU heavyweights in the face of Brexit?

  • Christel Zunneberg
  • Commentary

The Franco-German axis, the Big Three and the Weimar Triangle, are all well-known constellations of European heavyweights. ECFR’s EU28 Survey allows for dissecting the complex relations within ‘the Big Six’, evaluating these and other bilateral and trilateral inter-group relationships in the face of the Brexit.

The Netherlands: The EU’s hidden coalition champion

  • Josef Janning
  • Note from Berlin

The experts surveyed by ECFR see the Netherlands as the most influential of the affluent smaller member states. Over 50 percent of the respondents rank the Netherlands as the most influential of the seven, and more than 75 percent rank it either first or second.

Rethink: Europe EU28 survey

  • Commentary

Which are the most like-minded governments in the EU? Which governments have disappointed their peers? The Rethink: Europe EU28 survey provides answers

Spain: Southern Europe’s underrated player

  • Josef Janning
  • Note from Berlin

In light of its demographic and economic weight and in view of its location at the crossroads of Europe and North Africa, Spain seems to be underrated in the current line-up of the large EU member states

Poland: Europe’s unlikely influencer

  • Josef Janning
  • Note from Berlin

Poland appears to be firmly anchored among the six large member states of the EU, seen as more important than Spain