The new balance of power in the European Parliament and its implications for economic policy (in German)

Against the background of the 2019 European elections, the author notes that the Europe-friendly forces still have a strong two-thirds majority, while the EU-critical parties on the right and left sides are often at odds with each other. Nevertheless, the new parliament is threatened with hanging games due to the difficulty of obtaining a majority. The EU Parliament has become slightly more skeptical about free trade, takes a tougher stance towards the USA and China and is more ecologically aware. On "green" issues, there are marked differences across the borders of the member states. According to the author, the Brexit will only slightly change Parliament's position on free trade or ecology issues.

Kiel Institute Expert