Search

FEPS Newsletter 20 Jan 2025 – 🧭 Bringing back sense in the disorder

An eventful start to the new year – If you have problems displaying this email, […]
All Topics
Search topic

20/01/2026
An eventful start to the new year –

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link

Happy (belated) New Year from FEPS team! We hope you had a restful winter break – it seems we’ll need all our energy for 2026.
 

While the emerging global (dis)order is unsettling, it also inspires Europeans to think about our sovereignty and identity. The “great unraveling” will have to be met with a new EU strategy, entailing the defence but also the further improvement of our political systems and social models. There is no way forward if we compromise on our core values: democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and – central to social democracy – social justice and solidarity.
 

To bring back sense in this disorder and to support progressives in Europe, FEPS remains dedicated to its mission to deliver solid analysis and informed political guidance.
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Inflation preparedness in the EU
 

📅  29 JAN

📍  FEPS HQ

FEPS’ New Year Reception & Progressive Yearbook launch

Join us for FEPS’ traditional New Year Reception, which launches the seventh edition of the Progressive Yearbook, and unveils FEPS Progressive Person of the Year.
 

The New Year Reception will also mark the handover of the presidency from Maria João Rodrigues to Nicolas Schmit. Register now!

Past events

See all past events

12 JAN – VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Violence, trauma and health impacts in the EU

Panel discussion in the framework of the 12th Barbara Prammer Symposium

Organised by FEPS
 

In Vienna, this panel brought together experts from the health, political, and social sectors to examine the health impacts of gender-based violence and discuss how prevention, stronger legal frameworks, and gender-responsive, survivor-centred health systems can better respond to women’s needs across Europe.
Violence, trauma and health impacts in the EU
Publications
Moving beyond neoliberalism in EU trade policy

POLICY BRIEF

Moving beyond neoliberalism in EU trade policy

By Werner Raza and Bernhard Tröster 
 

Once seen as a driver of growth and stability, trade is increasingly about risk, power and resilience. Trade has become increasingly politicised, global markets are more fragmented and economic interdependence is less predictable.
 

As geopolitical uncertainty grows and economic pressures mount, choices about trade policy will shape the EU’s future growth model and its role in the world. The authors argue that the EU must fundamentally realign its trade strategy.

The policy brief is part of the Progressive Economic Network project, co-organised by FEPS, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and Das Progressive Zentrum (DPZ). For this publication, the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) joined as a partner.

POLICY BRIEF

Financing enlargement via the 2028-2034 MFF

By Federico Baccini
 

Enlargement is an increasingly pressing topic within the EU, amid Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s EU membership applications and a growing awareness of the risk of destabilisation in the Western Balkans if the EU does not demonstrate a genuine commitment to enlargement.
 

This policy brief addresses three topics:

  • What funding is dedicated to enlargement
  • Whether it is sufficient to meet the challenge
Financing enlargement via the 2028-2034 MFF
  • Whether the proposal adequately prepares the EU for the inclusion of new Member States
 

This policy brief is part of the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) project, organised by FEPS in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Dialogue Southeast Europe, Karl Renner Institut, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Društvo Progresiva and Olof Palme International Center.
News
Venezuela is not about drugs: Trump’s Regional Expansionism and Europe’s Test
 

FEPS Commentary on US military intervention in Venezuela

By Beatriz Abellán
 

The recent US illegal military intervention in Venezuela violates international law, US internal law and Venezuelan sovereignty, while exposing Europe’s selective defence of international law, undermining its own credibility. Read more.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Saulo Ferreira Angelo
Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President-elect, in Politico Brussels Playbook
 

Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President-elect, in POLITICO Brussels Playbook
 

Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President-elect, was featured 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. Read more.

Photo credits: Politico
Progressive Post

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

FEPS in times of tectonic shifts 

With Nicolas Schmit, FEPS President-elect
 

What we used to consider to be the West may not exist anymore, as its fundamental values are brutally questioned by the Trump administration.
Listen to the podcast

Read Nicolas Schmit’s reading of the geopolitical changes in his first Progressive Page as FEPS President-elect. Read more.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / ro9drigo
Bulgaria’s Eurozone moment

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Bulgaria’s Eurozone moment 

With Ivan Todorov, Researcher and lecturer in Economics at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Sofia
 

In January 2026, Bulgaria joined the Eurozone.

While scepticism exists, Bulgaria’s path to fairer development may refute the critics. It’s a chance to prove the EU delivers real results for its people. Read more.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Mirko Kuzmanovic
 

Was this email forwarded to you?

Copyright © 2026 FEPS Europe, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you participated in one of FEPS’ events and/or have registered for FEPS’ newsletter.

If you wish not to receive FEPS’ communications anymore, please click here: unsubscribe now
 

Foundation for European Progressive Studies
Avenue des Arts, 46 – 1000 Bruxelles

+32 223 46 900 – info@feps-europe.eu
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
16/04/2026
Eszter KOVÁTS

Orbán ousted by a landslide: time for a rethink

With an unprecedented voter turnout of almost 80 per cent, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán […]
15/04/2026
László ANDOR

Spain alone?

Among European heads of state and government, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez alone went out […]
26/03/2026
Britta THOMSEN

Denmark: Frederiksen stays on top in historic election marked by division

When Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for a snap election at the end of […]
Find all related Magazine
Magazine
  • cover book

    Issue #30 Progressive Post

Issue #30

In geopolitics, 2026 is challenging our certainties: from the abduction of the Venezuelan president, over […]
21 century Climate adaptation Global MIddle East Peace poverty supply chains trade USA
  • cover book

    # Issue 29 Progressive Post

# Issue 29

From the war in Ukraine to the devastation of Gaza since 2023, the words ‘war’ […]
COP EU budget EU Defence Global peace
  • cover book

    # Issue 28 Progressive Post

# Issue 28

European Social Democracy at historical crossroads
BRICS Education LGBTIQ+ Social Democracy
Find all related publications
Publications
See all
27/03/2026
Policy Study

Laboratories of counter-hegemony

Orbán, Trump and the transatlantic far-right ecosystem
25/03/2026
Policy Study

The European Green Deal tracker

How well is your member state implementing key policies of the Green Deal? The European […]
19/03/2026
Policy Study

There must be an alternative

Against mainstream defeatism and towards the rejuvenation of the democratic public space
19/03/2026
Policy Brief

Countering the far right in the European Parliament

Exploring progressive strategies in the age of far-right normalisation
Find all related news
News
See all
13/04/2026

Hungary’s civic revolution

FEPS' commentary on the outcomes of the Hungarian election
05/03/2026

FFPPVC commentary on the new EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030

Commentary by the Feminist Foreign Policy Progressive Voices Collective (FFPPVC)
03/03/2026

Wag the dog?

FEPS commentary on the US-Israel attack on Iran
03/03/2026

Closing ceremony of the Progressive Ukraine programme

The graduation ceremony completed the programme which was part of the Open Progressive University (OPU).
Find all related in the media
In the media
See all

What next for Olivér Várhelyi, Orbán’s last man standing in Brussels?

by EURACTIV 14/04/2026
FEPS Secretary General László Andor discusses the potential impact of the HUngarian election result on EU Commissioner, Olivér Várhely

EU relieved to see back of Orbán but Magyar’s Hungary may still present problems

by The Guardian 14/04/2026
FEPS Secretary General László Andor comments on Hungary's future following the outcome of the 2026 general election

Bilancio UE: fondi sociali in bilico, l’Europarlamento chiede più risorse e meno flessibilità

by Il Sole 24 Ore 13/04/2026
"EU budget: social funds at risk, the European Parliament calls for more resources and less flexibility" In this article by Il Sole 24 ore, FEPS Secretary General László Andor highlights the risks that the current MFF proposal - set to be voted on by the European Parliament - could pose to the EU budget and outlines the consequences of reducing social funding.

Világháború, vagy amit akartok

by Mérce 18/03/2026
"World War, or what you will". FEPS Secretary-General László Andor escalating conflict between the USA, Israel, and Iran and the lack of 'brakes' to prevent escalation from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.