Sam Morgan

Behind the Scenes: Bored of borders

Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania want to be in Schengen. But only one looks set to get membership, despite recent efforts to convince obstructive governments.

Behind the Scenes: Fit for 57?

The EU found a couple of extra percentage points down the back of the sofa to help meet its big climate goal. But is this kind of incremental policymaking enough?

Behind the Scenes: Enemy of the State Aid

The EU's quest for "tax fairness" has been dealt a blow. But is it all doom and gloom?

Behind the Scenes: Realistic uncertainty

The EU just agreed on new 'engine-killing' rules. So why is Brussels undermining its achievement already?

Behind the Scenes: Winning green hearts and minds

There is a narrow window for governments to sew climate action into the fabric of society. But that window won't stay open forever.

Behind the Scenes: When life gives you Meloni...

Italy has a female leader, finally. But glass-ceiling-smashing counts for little compared to the sense of foreboding about Giorgia Meloni's new government

Behind the Scenes: Kremlin's Progress

Russia's Ukraine invasion has inadvertently prompted huge rethinks of how countries go about their business. This last ten days was no exception.

Behind the Scenes: Obvious answers

Germany has inadvertently triggered a rethink about how the EU should respond to the energy crisis. Thanks, Berlin.

Behind the Scenes: It takes a village...

A new pan-European initiative that brings together EU members, EU-hopefuls and the EU-curious kicks off next week. But what will this new forum look like?

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Don't count your NATO chickens

Finland and Sweden's NATO bids risk being upended by an EU ally that is making a habit of being the troublesome fly in the political ointment.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: EuroCon

Ursula von der Leyen wants EU reform. But is her pledge more about securing Europe's future or her own?

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Schengen's Allure

Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania want to join Schengen. In a fast-changing world, the chances of that happening have become much more likely.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Hydrogen hype or hysteria?

Germany signed up to a big energy pact with Canada, but is it as big a deal as Berlin claims?

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Back to the Dark Ages

The UK and EU are going to war over Horizon Europe. Science and research will be the main casualties.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Paying by visa

Support for a ban on entry visas for Russians is building. But any nixing of travel privileges must be implemented wisely.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: 10 Things I Hate About EU

2022 is halfway done. Here are the 10 big things you need to look out for before 2023 pulls into the station.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: ‘Told you so’ is pointless

Saying 'I told you so' is only human nature but when it comes to the escalating climate crisis, should be avoided.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Courting approval

The EU's top court is on summer break but before the judges went off on their holidays, they ruled on three cases that all have rather farcical elements to them

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Rights fightback

Abortion rights have been dealt a blow in the US, prompting EU lawmakers to try and bolster protections on this side of the Atlantic. But they face big hurdles.

Brussels Behind the Scenes: Vetoing vetoes

Vetoes sometimes prevent the EU from acting on the world stage. Could a little-used and little-known tool dilute the blocking power of obstructive governments?

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