Liberal Europe Blog

The proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy marks a major shift, giving national governments more control while cutting red tape and merging funding streams. While it includes welcome steps like a “starter pack” for young farmers, the removal of climate ringfencing and continued reliance on outdated land-based subsidies risk undermining sustainability and innovation.

While acknowledging crucial strategic areas, the current MFF proposal remains rather conservative and might be cut back further. The proposal is still far off from future-proofing the European budget. Institutionalising proposals such as a Future Share concept to safeguard future-oriented investments would ensure Europe’s strategic autonomy, global competitiveness, and long-term resilience. Otherwise, even ambitious visions might become lost in translation.

Why are some of the European Union (EU) institutions holding back on robust pushback against an increasingly erratic, authoritarian, and bullying White House? Are we going to stand by while the Trump administration interferes with the EU’s sovereign choices through trade and investment measures, simply because the European Commission refuses to bend Single Market rules for US-based digital platforms, to the frustration of America’s tech oligarchs? 

The 21st century will be the century of space. This grand claim, recently echoed by Commissioner Kubilius in remarks on the European Space Act (ESA) and the EU’s new Vision for the Space Economy, is not mere rhetoric. The global space sector is projected to grow exponentially, with the Draghi report suggesting it could surpass €1.5 trillion by 2035 (from €500 billion in 2023), reshaping not just defence and telecommunications, but climate monitoring, precision agriculture, finance, and mobility. Accordingly, space is no longer just a frontier of exploration, but an economic engine and critical infrastructure layer central to modern civilisation. 

When EU officials travel to countries with politically sensitive contexts such as Serbia and Georgia, these are not mere ceremonial gestures. Rather, these official visits are essential for grasping the realities on the ground.

The brutal war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine is not just a distant geopolitical event; it impacts our everyday choices here in Europe. Each time we purchase products from companies still operating in Russia, we unknowingly support helpers of a regime responsible for devastating human suffering. This reality presents a difficult but essential question: Can European consumers really make a difference? 

As the EU grapples with new enlargement rounds, including Ukraine and the Western Balkans, the experience of Bulgaria and Romania offers valuable lessons. It proves that with the right support and determination, integration can work—not just for Western Europe, but for the entire continent.

Over 10 million Poles woke up on Monday morning, June 2 and faced the news that Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election.

In 2024, Armenia’s foreign policy underwent a significant transformation. What was once a cautious balancing act between Russia and the West is now evolving into a decisive shift towards European integration. This change is driven by a combination of internal aspirations and external pressures, marking a new chapter in Armenia’s geopolitical journey.

In 2024, the world faced an unprecedented wave of natural disasters, from tropical cyclones to severe droughts, leading to the highest number of displacements in 16 years. These events not only exacerbated food crises but also inflicted massive economic losses. Now, more than ever, investing in clean energy, water, and climate services is crucial to overcoming these challenges and fostering resilient communities.

During a recent visit to Ukraine with the ALDE Party and the Alliance of Her, I joined the largest delegation of women to enter the country since the full-scale invasion. Hosted by the Servants of the People party, the political force behind President Zelensky and many courageous liberal women, our experience was both emotionally draining and profoundly moving. 

In many ways, ASEAN countries are caught in the same cycle as the European Union. They are trapped in the geopolitical struggle between the US and China. China exhibits the same ‘divide and conquer’ strategy in the region as it does with EU Member States