The German industrial electricity subsidy - the Industriestrompreis - is shaping up: the ministry just published implementation details. This interactive chart shows the maximum relief - also for other member states, considering the indirect emission cost subsidy: delors-data.eu/IES/ (1/3)

A full day for Franco-German relations: Before speaking on European #defence at our #Spotlight event at Sciences Po this afternoon, MEP Tobias Cremer joins a panel on EU #competitiveness during the annual CERFA conference at @ifri.bsky.social in Paris. #PariserPlatzDialogue

Und wenn man schon mal dabei ist, sollte man am besten auch gleich @beimwort.bsky.social lesen und abonnieren! beimwort.substack.com/p/angriffe-a...

Im EU-Parlament wurde letzte Woche erstmals ein relevantes Gesetz mit den Stimmen der extremen Rechten beschlossen. Das ist ein guter Anlass, sich diese Woche dieses unheimlich kluge Gespräch zwischen @tabouchadi.bsky.social und @emcke.bsky.social anzuhören. www.sueddeutsche.de/meinung/podc...

Today’s Omnibus vote has rolled over an already perforated cordon sanitaire in the European Parliament. For the first time, the EPP sided with far-right groups on a file key to the Commission’s agenda. Make no mistake: this was no accident and it’s unclear whether the centrist coalition can recover🧵

Today´s vote on the Sustainability Omnibus was a watershed moment in the European Parliament, as the EPP sides with far-right political groups to scratch climate transition plans and civil liability under the CSDDD, and reduce the scope of companies covered under the CSRD. Thread:

Die EVP hat heute im Europaparlament das wichtige Omnibus-Gesetz mit den Rechtsaußen-Fraktionen beschlossen. Abgeordnete der CDU/CSU haben heute, sehenden Auges und mit Ansage, mit Abgeordneten der AfD abgestimmt. Damit ist die Brandmauer im EU-Parlament eingerissen.

Today, the conservatives (EPP) passed a major piece of EU legislation with the far-right groups in the EU Parliament, marking the breakdown of the cordon sanitaire. The EPP, under Weber, has decided to sacrifice long-term principles and stability for short-term political gains. Thread:

Reminder also that there is a clause in the German coalition agreement excluding cooperation by the coalition partners - SPD and CDU/CSU - with parties that are unconstitutional, undemocratic, and right-wing extremist "on all political levels". This would include the EU level.

Die deutsche und europäische Automobilindustrie kriselt, gefühlt im Wochentakt kommen die Eilmeldungen über Stellenabbau bei Herstellern und Zulieferern. Wie ihr geholfen werden kann, habe ich mit @nilsredeker.bsky.social und @sandertordoir.bsky.social diskutiert: open.spotify.com/episode/15Nb...

Another gentle reminder. The only way for Germany to stop the meltdown in its auto sector is by working with Europe. Germany is too small to go it alone. Anyone with half an econ brain can see that.

Bundesbank President Nagel - of all people - calling for tougher trade defenses against China’s export glut. Says a lot about how Germany’s changing position in the world is filtering into its economic thinking. www.deutschlandfunk.de/bundesbank-p...

EPP leader Manfred Weber just gave a very good keynote speech on the future of Europe in Berlin tonight, putting forward seven principles for a stronger EU. Quick thread:

Immer eine gute Woche, wenn sie mit @nilsredeker.bsky.social und @sandertordoir.bsky.social startet. In der neuen EU to go-Folge sprechen wir über die kriselnde Automobilindustrie und wie sie zu retten ist. Stay tuned!

One of the most self-destructive things Germany could do is to reverse the green transition now. Renewables expansion has been on a tear but Germany has seen reversals before, unfortunately. And the country still does not have oil or gas and isn’t getting any anytime soon (ever).

Experten von drei EU Forschungseinrichtungen in einem Paper dazu auf dass die EU dringend eine gemeinschaftliche Kraftanstrengung unternehmen sollte um der Autoindustrie zu helfen. Beteiligt sind @bertelsmannst.bsky.social, @delorsberlin.bsky.social & @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social buff.ly/SEitVsW

We are sad to share that our longtime editor David Gow passed away. David was a sharp, humane and curious voice on Europe, with a great sense of humour. He helped shape our work with clarity and a deep commitment to public debate. Our thoughts are with his family. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...

New analysis with @cdgeiser.bsky.social: The EU’s current drive to cut red tape at all costs is weakening Europe. Last week’s failed vote on the Sustainability Omnibus in the European Parliament was the culmination of extreme pressure, poorly designed proposals and political polarisation. Thread:

The only two policy areas mentioned by name are agriculture and cohesion. No word on competitiveness, transition, defense, or decarbonization. Tells you something about where MEPs see Europe’s future priorities.

With all the caveats that the far right hasn't been weakened, only splintered in the Netherlands, it's still very good to see an election where liberal democracy is not on the line and a government with a pro-European outlook is back in sight

To be clear: the EP isn’t demanding changes - the message of this letter is simple: we don’t want reforms. At a time when the EU desperately needs a better budget, the Parliament should take a stance that goes beyond a pure defence of the status quo. www.politico.eu/article/ursu...

"Mitte der 2000er war Deutschland Weltmarktführer für Solarmodule. Heute sind unsere Dächer mit Zellen "Made in China" gepflastert. Es gibt keinen Grund zu glauben, dass unsere Straßen in 20 Jahren nicht auch voller chinesischer Autos sein könnten."

Wer es lieber ein bisschen ausführlicher als 5000 Zeichen hat, findet unser gesamtes Papier dazu hier: www.delorscentre.eu/en/publicati...

Für die Zeit haben wir mit @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social und @sandertordoir.bsky.social aufgeschrieben, was das Problem der europäischen Autoindustrie ist, warum Denkmalschutz für Verbrenner die schlechtesten aller Antworten wäre - und was die EU stattdessen tun kann. www.zeit.de/mobilitaet/2...

You've read the paper, now read the op-ed. Piece in Die Zeit by Nils, Lucas and myself based on our report on how to coordinate buy-European EV subsidies - which by the way owes a lot to the intellectually always generous Brad Setser (some Americans still like Europe).

The National and Regional Partnership Programmes 2028-34 are under attack, as many fear they neglect cohesion goals. Better regional targeting could be one way to improve the Commission's proposal. In a new Policy Brief, I outline how this could be done. 👉 www.delorscentre.eu/en/publicati...

Merz’ instinct to treat EU as intergovernmental forum clashed this week with Parliament. Calling EP’s failed omnibus vote an “unacceptable” mistake to be “corrected” didn’t land well and shows blindspot. EU is not an intergovernmental project where leaders decide and everyone else, incl. EP, follows

Für diejenigen, die die Argumente zum Industriestrompreis im Thread unten lieber kompakt und auf deutsch lesen möchten: Jan Diesteldorf hat in der Süddeutschen meinen Policy Brief aufgegriffen: www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/i...

Europe's car industry has major problems, but none of this has anything to do with future emission rules or an engine ban in 10yrs. It's about China's rise as a car exporter, US protectionism and low domestic car demand. Boost demand at home; harmonise support schemes. Must-read report

Very good thread by @jannikjansen.bsky.social on the instability of the current European Parliament and how, with a strengthened and emboldened far-right, the concept of flexible majorities is coming to its limits

While the European Council in Brussels took the spotlight, this week's events in Strasbourg should set off alarm bells. The European Parliament slamming the brakes on the first “Omnibus” package isn’t just a hiccup – it’s a symptom of strain in the EU’s democratic engine. A thread 🧵

In a report published ahead of the summit by various think-tanks, including the @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social, @nilsredeker.bsky.social & colleagues @sandertordoir.bsky.social & @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social point to a different set of problems EU leaders should be trying to solve. buff.ly/fCS8M2Q

A chart Berlin‘s economic policy-makers should think hard about. Doing a buy-German clause in new EV subsidies would be an own goal. The German market is simply too small, and lacks sufficient premium demand. 1/

Love an analysis that starts with the right problem statement. And for cars that's falling demand. Subsidies might help a bit - but ultimately the question is whether Europe is giving up on the idea of international competitiveness.

I agree conceptually - but when it comes to cars, 80% of EU exports already go to a handful of advanced economies that share our concerns about Chinese overcapacity. I’d argue there’s enough demand and competition behind that common wall to build the scale Europe needs for global competitiveness.

This! If we don’t fix demand, we won’t avoid industrial policy - we’ll just get a hot mess of bailouts on the supply side. And a coordinated Buy European push actually scores high on the “sound industrial policy” scale.

Coordinated “Buy European” clauses are also quite elegant economically: they don’t pick individual winners, they’re competition-friendly within the single market since national subsidies stay open to producers across the EU, and they help speed up the transition rather than cement old structures.

Good 🧵 on cars here.

Must-read on how buy-European rules can help save Europe’s car industry, brought to you by the dream trio of EU economic policy @nilsredeker.bsky.social @sandertordoir.bsky.social @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social

The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.

Deeply worrying destabilization in EU Parliament. Three concerning points in this story: 1. EPP forcing S&D hand by threatening to vote with far-right 2. Far-right strategically pushing secret vote to allow for anonymous defections 3. No majority in centre/VdL coalition despite previous agreement

Should other EU countries copy Germany's Industriestrompreis? Germany is set to introduce this controversial subsidy soon, which will lower electricity prices for industry. 🧵on whether it is a model to follow & what it means for other EU countries, based on data in new policy brief (1/23)

Big interview with Merz in @faznet.bsky.social last week. His intergovernmental view on Europe is no surprise, but still quite the statement: "The EU integration method has, for the time being, reached its limits. Much more now depends on cooperation between governments." www.faz.net/aktuell/poli...

Mit der Zeit haben @onethuthree.bsky.social und ich darüber gesprochen, wo Europa nach einem schwierigen Sommer steht, wie es besser laufen kann und warum es jetzt vor allem auch auf die Bundesregierung ankommt.

Bingo! The coalition just agreed to roll out a new EV support scheme for low- and middle-income households. The fiscal envelope isn’t huge - but it’s something to work with. Now the focus has to be on getting the design right and coordinating as closely as possible with EU partners.

This is the way. The German car industry’s problem isn’t 2035 - it’s the demand crash happening right now. And while we can’t stop U.S. tariffs or Chinese subsidies, we certainly can ramp up demand at home.

This is the way. The German car industry’s problem isn’t 2035 - it’s the demand crash happening right now. And while we can’t stop U.S. tariffs or Chinese subsidies, we certainly can ramp up demand at home.

Germany apparently not so sure it wants to save its auto sector by making it competitive.

German auto summit tomorrow. The sole focus on the EU combustion engine phase-out, which is 10 years away, is baffling because German cars have a demand problem today Berlin worries a new EV subsidy scheme would be fiscally too expensive. But demand-side support is a fiscal no-brainer here. 1/

We have two new Acting Co-Directors! Since October, Thu Nguyen (@onethuthree.bsky.social) & Nils Redeker (@nilsredeker.bsky.social) are leading the Jacques Delors Centre think tank, working closely with Mark Dawson, Co-Director of the research arm. Find out more 👉 www.delorscentre.eu/en/about/new...