Brady, Hugo, (2013), “The EU’s Rubik’s cube: Who will lead after 2014?”, Centre for European Reform, 3 April. Next year, EU leaders will decide who will succeed Herman Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso and Catherine Ashton as, respectively, the next president of the European Council, president of the European Commission and high representative for foreign affairs. These (no doubt) excruciating deliberations will begin in earnest after the European Parliament (EP) …Read More

Bovi, Maurizio, (2013), “Realism, austerity or demagogy? Evidence from Italy”, www.voxeu.org, 20 March. How do everyday Italians feel about their economic prospects? How are political reactions related to economic events? This column presents evidence suggesting that Italians are becoming disillusioned. Comparing Berlusconi’s and Monti’s resignation, sentiment was more positive after Belusconi’s. Rather than a test on Italian citizens’ realism or on their views on austerity, recent political elections should instead …Read More

Bastasin, Carlo, (2013), “If Europe Doesn’t Stand Up”, Brookings Institute, 20 Μαρτίου. Like what happens to less intelligent creatures, there was also a sudden disavowel of paternityin the Cypriot mess. No one in Europe admits responsibility for the project of forced confiscation on all bank deposits, also the more modest ones. A proposal that, while necessary, will not survive to its temerity and is putting in danger the stability of …Read More

 Underhill, Geoffrey, Blom, Jasper, (2013), “The case for policy change: Democratic legitimacy of EMU cannot be an afterthought in solving the crisis”,www.voxeu.org, 19 March. David Cameron’s promise of a referendum on British participation in the EU has re-ignited the debate about the EU’s democratic legitimacy, just as the struggle to overcome the crisis continues. This column argues that in order to both successfully resolve the crisis and maintain states’ ability …Read More

Santini, Ruth H., Giumelli, Francesco, (2013), “Why Europe Should Not Worry About Italy”, Brookings Institute, 4 March. While seemingly a threat to EU stability and at the heart of possible contagion, Italy is historically used to navigating through uncertainty, short-lived governments and catastrophic economic forecasts. Yet, the world continues to wonder where the Belpaese is heading to with a divided center-left, a never ending dawn of Berlusconi’s political influence, and …Read More