A certain idea of Europe: How the next French president can lead
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
Featured
Europe’s soft-power problem
Although Europe has begun to make up for years of neglect in terms of defence spending, it remains woefully ill-equipped to win over other countries through the power of attraction and persuasion. Each side in the European culture war is uniquely unappealing to billions of people around the world
Rollercoaster vote: Europe’s future after the French presidential election
A recent TV debate highlighted the ways in which the French presidential election could reshape European politics. A win for Marine Le Pen would pose a terrible threat to France, the EU, and the West
What a Le Pen presidency would mean for Europe and the world
How would a Le Pen presidency affect Europe and the world?
31 Mar
The battle for the Elysee
ECFR is collaborating with De Balie to discuss France’s political future and the impact of the election result on European integration and solidarity
A certain idea of Europe: How the next French president can lead
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
10 Mar
A new era for Europe: Do Europeans trust France on Russia?
Our panel will discuss insights from new public opinion polling of 15,000 citizens across 12 EU member states, captured in the upcoming report by Susi Dennison and Tara Varma.
How Russia’s war on Ukraine is shaping the French presidential race
Geopolitics is at the centre of France’s presidential campaign like never before. There are stark differences between the candidates’ attitudes towards Russia
Will and intent: The Paris ministerial forum on the Indo-Pacific
The recent Paris forum was the first step towards implementing the EU’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific. Given China and Russia’s alliance, Europe must ensure it continues to build up its influence in the region
21 Feb
Can Europe stand up to Chinese and Russian economic coercion?
The European Council on Foreign Relations in the context of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU is delighted to invite you to a debate on the principles that should guide Europe’s quest for economic sovereignty
Diplomacy for a sovereign Europe: France’s approach to the war in Ukraine
For France, European sovereignty was at the heart of the recent talks at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brest. Paris aims to reinforce Europeans’ position of strength, while doing its utmost to avoid war
Publications
A certain idea of Europe: How the next French president can lead
The next French president should pursue a strong European foreign policy agenda to protect Europeans against the threats they are most concerned about
Articles
Europe’s soft-power problem
Although Europe has begun to make up for years of neglect in terms of defence spending, it remains woefully ill-equipped to win over other countries through the power of attraction and persuasion. Each side in the European culture war is uniquely unappealing to billions of people around the world
Rollercoaster vote: Europe’s future after the French presidential election
A recent TV debate highlighted the ways in which the French presidential election could reshape European politics. A win for Marine Le Pen would pose a terrible threat to France, the EU, and the West
How Russia’s war on Ukraine is shaping the French presidential race
Geopolitics is at the centre of France’s presidential campaign like never before. There are stark differences between the candidates’ attitudes towards Russia
Will and intent: The Paris ministerial forum on the Indo-Pacific
The recent Paris forum was the first step towards implementing the EU’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific. Given China and Russia’s alliance, Europe must ensure it continues to build up its influence in the region
Diplomacy for a sovereign Europe: France’s approach to the war in Ukraine
For France, European sovereignty was at the heart of the recent talks at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brest. Paris aims to reinforce Europeans’ position of strength, while doing its utmost to avoid war
Free-rider on the storm: How Russia makes use of crises in its regional environment
Europeans too often see strategy in Russia’s tactical use of regional crises. The EU and member states should help eastern partners become more resilient in the face of such opportunism
New year’s irresolution: France, nuclear power, and the EU’s energy transition
The roles of gas and nuclear power in the EU’s transitional energy mix present France with one of the first big fights of its EU presidency
The Quirinal Treaty: How France and Italy can promote environmental action and European sovereignty
More structured dialogue between France and Italy could prove useful to both countries – and to the wider European project
France’s presidential election: How the far-right could win
Emmanuel Macron shook French politics from top to bottom. To show he did not bring the house down, he will quickly need to defend his record and reach out to lost voters
Podcasts
What a Le Pen presidency would mean for Europe and the world
How would a Le Pen presidency affect Europe and the world?
French Connection: Macron’s plans for Europe
What are Macron’s plans for the EU Council presidency in 2022 and beyond?
Events
31 Mar
The battle for the Elysee
ECFR is collaborating with De Balie to discuss France’s political future and the impact of the election result on European integration and solidarity
10 Mar
A new era for Europe: Do Europeans trust France on Russia?
Our panel will discuss insights from new public opinion polling of 15,000 citizens across 12 EU member states, captured in the upcoming report by Susi Dennison and Tara Varma.
21 Feb
Can Europe stand up to Chinese and Russian economic coercion?
The European Council on Foreign Relations in the context of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU is delighted to invite you to a debate on the principles that should guide Europe’s quest for economic sovereignty
14 Dec
Joining forces with the Indo-Pacific: Kick-starting Europe’s new approach to the region
Over the course of the day, we will discuss how Europe and Asia can redefine the Indo-Pacific in terms compatible with their mutual interests. The 3 sessions will look specifically at trade, connectivity, and the Green Transition
In the media
Macron’s biggest challenge will be to create a sense of cohesion in an extremely fragmented country
Let us remember that one of the goals set by the victorious Macron in 2017 was the elimination of the far right – it is evident today that it did not work
Mathilde Ciulla argues that despite Macron’s victory in the presidential election, he still faces the growing far-right populous in France
Now, Marine Le Pen is not advocating to leave the EU, because she saw the French are actually attached to it,
Mathilde Ciulla comments on strategic changes we can expect from Le Pen following her defeat in the French Presidential Election