Understanding Europe - The MOOC about the EU

07/11/2024

27/10/2024

Any EU ‘leader’ paying attention?

While holding the EU's rotating presidency, Viktor Orbán endorses a pro-Russian Georgian PM who just stole the Georgian election and who Orban will be hosting, thus legitimizing, in Budapest during the European Political Community Summit in a few days.

Any EU country ready to step in and raise their voice ?

28/08/2024

What is the risk for von der Leyen if she fails to achieve a gender balanced Commission?

My latest for POLITICO Europe

1. In the short term, a male-dominated Commission signals vdL’s inability to impose her will on national capitals at the beginning of a new mandate, thus accepting that national interest (MS’ unilateral choice of its Commissioner) primes over the EU general interest (a gender-balanced Commission).

Yet vdL owns nothing to EUCO: she’s been chosen by EU leaders and elected by the EP. Why should she be afraid of exercising her prerogative under Art. 17(7) TEU?

She can (and should) refuse her accord on the list proposed by the MS before the Council and calls all MS to put forward 2 candidates each.

2. In the medium term, a gender-imbalanced Commission puts her college of Commissioners at (unnecessary) risk by having an unprecedented number of candidate Commissioners (notably the least competent male candidates) being rejected, thus further delaying the composition of the new Commission and, inevitably, the kick-off of a new mandate when the world is on fire.

To limit reputational exposure for her and the whole EU, vdL has better signal her dissatisfaction to the national capitals and ask them for a fresh roaster of candidates ASAP.

3. In the long-term, a male-dominated College sets a dangerous precedent for the weakening authority of the EU Commission President, who proves incapable and inable to exercise her prerogative vis-à-vis MS, thus further weakening the authority of the President-elect vis-à-vis EU leaders.

17/07/2024

Ursula von der Leyen has lost Europe’s trust. Rejecting her would be good for European democracy.

Here’s why.

My latest for The Guardian

The commission president can no longer command a convincing majority. Rejecting her would be good for European democracy, says Alberto Alemanno, professor of EU law at HEC Paris

09/07/2024

📮We lodged a complaint against Viktor Orbán for breaching the duty of sincere cooperation and spirit of loyalty among Member States, by falsely presenting his foreign visits as acting on behalf of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Here’s the text of the complaint lodged before the Council, which is in charge of ensuring the respect of such principles under Art. 24(3) TEU. A complaint to European Ombudsman and/or legal actions may follow

https://t.co/CorksHcEBY

18/01/2021

The idea to create a pan-EU vaccine certificate to reinstate free movement across the continent is a VERY bad one:

1. It makes free movement a prerogative of vaccinated

2. As vaccinations strategies vary across MS, it discriminates on nationality

3. As no secondary market of COVID vaccines, it prompts (a black) one

4. Current vaccines do not prevent propagation of the virus

5. Ultimately, EU Member States should not rush into a pan EU vaccine certificate but focus on their respective vaccination strategies and avoid discrimination on travel

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (14 January) welcomed the Greek government's initiative allowing for vaccinated people to travel freely, and called for a mutually recognised vaccination certificate across European Union countries.

28/04/2020

How did the world respond to COVID19? More than 20 leading risk scholars closely examine in a special issue of EJRR the various regulatory responses that were given to the pandemic in a shattered interconnected world | FREE ACCESS 👉 bit.ly/2yVo81N

20/01/2020

Good morning from Davos!

As the 50th edition of World Economic Forum (WEF) opens today, let’s DEBUNK a few MYTHS about its Annual Meeting.

Good Morning from Davos!

Our founder Alberto Alemanno joins us to share thoughts and insights. Here are his hot takes on myths around :

1. What Davos is really about?

While it’s easy to dismiss Davos as a talkfest of the corporate elite, there are many more Davoses in Davos than those narrated by mainstream media. Otherwise I couldn't be / have been here.

2. Who actually goes to Davos?

It’s less elitist than you think.

To go you have to be invited (and you still have to pay, unless you’re NGO/academic) to join the 3000 participants. 1/3 of participants are NGOs & academics. 30,000 more are invited to join side events.

3. Who is behind Davos?

The World Economic Forum is a NON-PROFIT foundation, with 800 employees, which offers a unique platform for engagement across corporate, public and civil society sectors (not only CEOs!) "to improve the state of the world"

4. How secretive Davos is?

Definitely less than what you think. 1000 journalists will cover it and YouTube influencers are reaching a new and younger audience. Virtually all public panels are LIVE streamed:
https://weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2020

5. What really goes on in Davos?

Panels are the most common format, in both official & side events. Meet the Leader sessions, speeches, nightcaps, country-sponsored parties, University receptions.
In parallel tons of confidential bilateral meetings & other small gatherings

6. Does Davos actually deliver ?

Davos is no problem-solver (it’s not the UN), but: Agenda-setter (make societies fairer,greener); Dot-connector (build unconventional alliances); Amplifier (not only the megaphone of the corporate elite, but to anyone)

7. Does it exist a ‘Davos consensus’?

By sharing its powerful platform with non-conventional actors, Davos isn’t just a place of consensus. Over the years, WEF moved away from convener to become advocate of policy priorities (against Brexit, pro carbon neutrality)

8. Are Davos participants genuinely committed to improve the world?

Davos is a microcosm reflecting the state of the world. It is inhabited by the worst and best-intentioned individuals who - willingly or unwillingly - shape our daily lives. Anything can come out of

Over the course of the week, Alberto will be sharing more thoughts. Follow him on Twitter () and Instagram () to join the conversation.