FEPS Weekly Newsletter 4 Nov 2022

Implications for US democracy, the EU, and global politics

16 November – Brussels, Belgium

The US mid-term elections in November 2022 look particularly challenging for the Democratic party. They will be crucial to define the state of democracy in the US, its influence and ability to shape international politics.

In the context of rising polarisation, how to interpret the outcome of the mid-term elections, and what are the implications for US internal politics and external relations?

To analyse this, FEPS and the German Marshall Fund (GMF) will bring together leading European and US experts and policymakers at the State of the Unions conference, a platform to promote better coordination and collaboration between the transatlantic partners.

21 November – Barcelona, Spain

This public conference in Barcelona by FEPS and the Rafael Campalans Foundation will analyse the twin transition from both a global and a local perspective.

The event is composed of two panels:

• The first launches the Policy Study by FEPS and United Nations University “The EU and Northern Africa: together towards a twin transition?”. It will take a deep dive into the EU’s green and digital policies vis-à-vis North Africa: has the EU been able to unite the two successfully? And what about Northern Africa? Is there an alignment and tangible impact that is necessary to tackle the global problem of climate change?
• The second panel will instead zoom in the local level: (smart) cities. The conference capitalises on the political momentum of the Smart City Expo, taking place in Barcelona.

3 – 4 November – Vilnius, Lithuania

This conference gathered key experts and stakeholders to discuss what needs to be done to alleviate the societal burden of the extraordinary rise of living costs.

It provided valuable inputs to the progressive forces in the Baltics for further concerted action. In Lithuania and the Baltic region more generally, the inflation shock is one of the highest within the EU.

On this occasion, a new think tank was launched: Solidarumo Institutas. A place to discuss narratives and topics in an open way, something especially relevant in such fast-changing times.