Search

Obituary of Helmut Schmidt 1918 – 2015

The Last Invincible has gone to walk the Path with the Giants The news of […]
All Topics
Authors
Search author

11/11/2015

The Last Invincible has gone to walk the Path with the Giants

The news of his death has brought a long pause around the world. Helmut Schmidt, the former German Chancellor and an iconic figure of European Social Democracy passed away. At the age of 96 he, the Last Invincible of a generation that restored the progressive movement after the tragedy of the Second World War, has now joined his Comrades walking away on the Path of Giants of our history.

Read the obituary

Find the moving speech “Germany for, with and in Europe” (December 2011, Berlin) which FEPS published in 16 languages.

Find all related publications
Publications
See all
19/12/2025
Policy Brief

Moving beyond neoliberalism in EU trade policy

European Union trade policy finds itself at a crossroads. After three decades of neoliberal dominance in the […]
15/12/2025
Book

The great unravelling

“The great unravelling” examines the challenges that the new era of globalisation poses for progressive […]
09/12/2025
Policy Brief

Tackling the housing crisis in Europe

Progressive ideas for affordable and sustainable housing policies
28/11/2025
Policy Brief

Smarter spending today, safer societies tomorrow

Digitally-enabled capabilities for European defence
Find all related news
News
See all
06/01/2026

Venezuela is not about drugs: Trump’s Regional Expansionism and Europe’s Test

FEPS Commentary on US military intervention in Venezuela
16/12/2025

FEPS commentary on the EU Affordable Housing Plan

The announcement of the EU Affordable Housing Plan by Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is a historic milestone […]
15/12/2025

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues at Digital UNGA in New York

From 15 to 17 December, the Digital UNGA took place in New York, bringing together […]
12/12/2025

FEPS elects Nicolas Schmit as new President

After eight years in the role, outgoing President Maria João Rodrigues requested to be replaced, considering her mission accomplished. 
Find all related in the media
In the media
See all

“Talking with the enemy” – POLITICO Brussels Playbook, January 13

by POLITICO 13/01/2026
Read Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President-elect, in the 'POLITICO Brussels Playbook'. He calls for stronger European solidarity and a more assertive EU stance to defend its digital rules - particularly in the face of US sanctions.

Liberal democracy’s social, societal fabric under threat – Live from the EPC Annual Conference 2025

by EPC 08/12/2025
In a podcast by the European Policy Centre (EPC), FEPS Secretary General, László Andor, discusses how liberal democracy in Europe is being challenged not only at the institutional level but also through the erosion of social rights and what Europe must do to defend its social foundations.

« La souveraineté numérique européenne est un défi d’ordre civilisationnel »

by Le Monde 15/11/2025
"European digital sovereignty is a challenge for civilisation as a whole". In an opinion piece in the newspaper Le Monde, FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues shares her concerns about European digital dependence on American and Asian giants

When Algorithms Undermine Democracy: Europe’s Wake-Up Call

by Social Europe 11/11/2025
Maja Fjaestad and Simon Vinge, co-editors of FEPS book "Algorithmic rule", wrote this op-ed on the power of algorithms and how they threaten the foundations of democratic oversight