Western Europe

FEATURED COMMENTARY & ANALYSIS

Reforming the European Union: The Franco-German Tandem and the Future of Economic Governance

New Atlanticist Oct 2, 2024

A man in a hurry: Keir Starmer’s early approach is making waves at home and abroad

By Ed Owen

The new UK prime minister’s much-anticipated speech at the Labour Party’s recent gathering in Liverpool is a window into where the country may be headed.

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist Oct 2, 2024

Three state elections have backed Germany into a corner

By Jurek Wille and Friedrich Conradi

The recent successes of populist parties in Germany’s state elections could signal an imminent shift in Berlin’s policies on climate, immigration, and aid for Ukraine.

Elections Germany

New Atlanticist Sep 26, 2024

France’s new government aims to calm the political storm. What will it mean for foreign policy?

By Léonie Allard, Jean-Loup Samaan

Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to follow the path of President Emmanuel Macron, but the big question is whether the delicate political context in Paris will allow ministers to focus on crises in Ukraine and Lebanon.

Europe & Eurasia France

EVENTS

Public Event Thu, July 24, 2025 • 8:45 am ET

Germany’s digital minister on Europe’s digital competitiveness

Digital Policy Economy & Business Germany

Public Event Tue, May 27, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson on Britain in an enduring transatlantic relationship

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy Security & Defense

Public Event Tue, May 6, 2025 • 12:30 pm ET

Belgium’s defense minister on Europe’s evolving security landscape

Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense Western Europe

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The Europe Center promotes the transatlantic leadership and strategies required to ensure a strong Europe.

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Content

Event Recap

Feb 14, 2018

Reforming the European Union: The Franco-German Tandem and the Future of Economic Governance

By Global Business & Economics Program

On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, the Atlantic Council's EuroGrowth Initiative hosted a breakfast discussion on the changing Franco-German attitudes towards European Union (EU) economic governance.

Economy & Business European Union

In the News

Feb 10, 2018

Dungan Quoted in NBC News on Trump and Macron Relationship

By Nicholas Dungan

Read the full article here.

France

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2018

What’s the Deal?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council analysts discuss agreement that could end political uncertainty in Germany German Chancellor Angela Merkel on February 7 moved a step closer to forming a coalition government that would include her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD). But first, more than 460,000 members of the SPD will need to approve […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 8, 2018

Looking Ahead to the Next Century of Suffrage

By Kim Darroch

One hundred years ago, Parliament passed the Representation of the People Act, marking a powerful first step towards granting all British women the right to vote. The British suffragettes, led by the courageous Emmeline Pankhurst, fought for decades to secure the right to vote. They endured imprisonment and forced feedings. They were separated from their […]

United Kingdom

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2018

Germany Muddles Through

By Nick Ottens

The center can still hold in Germany. Angela Merkel’s conservatives have finalized a government deal with the Social Democrats. Barring a last-minute upset—Social Democratic Party members need to vote before the deal can go through—Germany will be ruled by another “grand coalition” for the next four years. The worry is that this one will mostly […]

Germany

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2018

Donald Trump Is Not the Only One Who Likes a Grand Parade

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump wants a military parade—a grand military parade. Trump, reportedly inspired by the Bastille Day parade he witnessed in Paris last summer, has asked the Pentagon to organize a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington that [wait for it] tops the French. The reaction to Trump’s plan has ranged from skepticism […]

China France

In the News

Jan 30, 2018

Gedmin in the American Interest: The Dresden Diaries

By Jeffrey Gedmin

Read the full article here

Germany

In the News

Jan 25, 2018

Braw Pens Op-Ed in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Need for Germany to Focus on the Bundeswehr’s Military Capabilities

By Elisabeth Braw

Read the full article here.

Germany

EconoGraphics

Jan 22, 2018

The Irish Border Question

By Ole Moehr

The future of the Irish border is one of the key sticking points in the ongoing Brexit negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

Economy & Business European Union

New Atlanticist

Jan 19, 2018

In Germany, Social Democrats Hold Merkel’s Future in their Hands

By Jörn Fleck

The SPD’s upcoming vote on the future of coalition negotiations government will not only dictate the trajectory of the country’s politics, but could have serious ramifications for the future of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. For a brief moment on January 21, all eyes in German politics will shift from Berlin to Bonn. In the predicted […]

Germany

Experts

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Stephanie Burrell

Head of Sustainability, Smart DCC

Millennium Leadership Program

Civil Society Energy & Environment