Cercare
Critical approach to EU law-making: French Senate’s report on EU legislation
The Policy Hub on Better Law-Making hold on 18 February, 2025 focused on challenges to EU law making. The French Senate’s report was presented and perceived as a wake-up call, urging a shift towards effective, accessible law-making in the EU. Academics highlighted issues of excessive legislation, the need for clearer and citizen-centered laws. They emphasized the need for simplifying legal texts, improving democratic scrutiny by the European Ϸվ, and fostering collaboration with academia ...
Error rates compared - Methodologies underpinning the European Commission’s risk at payment/closure and the European Court of Auditors’ estimated level of error
This study introduces Members of the European Ϸվ to the different estimates of the level of error affecting EU expenditure in cohesion policy. It explains how the European Commission calculates the estimated ‘risk at payment’ and ‘risk at closure’, how the European Court of Auditors calculates the ‘estimated level of error’ and how the two methodologies differ. The conclusion provides guidance on interpreting the different estimates.
2025 Commission work programme
On 11 February 2025, the European Commission adopted the first work programme (2025 CWP) of the von der Leyen II Commission. Building on the reports by Enrico Letta, Mario Draghi and Sauli Niinistö, and in line with the Commission President's political guidelines, the CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, simplification and implementation, and preparedness. These will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. In terms of structure, the CWP follows the seven headline ...
Stock-taking of the 2024 European Ϸվ Elections
In the 2024 European Ϸվ elections turnout varied significantly across EU Member States, influenced by institutional factors such as compulsory voting and concurrent elections. Socioeconomic disparities persisted; older, higher-educated, and wealthier citizens were more likely to vote, while economically disadvantaged and unemployed individuals participated less. Gender and age gaps in turnout reaffirmed the importance of role models and political efficacy in mobilization. Vote choice reflected ...
Stock-taking of the European Elections 2024
The European Electoral Act decrees that the Members of the European Ϸվ shall be elected on the basis of proportional representation, using the list system or the single transferable vote. There is much leeway for a Member State to turn terms like “proportional representation” or “the list system” into executable rules. As a result, Member States differ considerably as to their electoral provisions. The briefing presents an overview of the vote patterns used by the Member States, of the apportionment ...
State aid assessment: Final judgment on Apple
In September 2024, a Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment, rendered in appeal, concluded a 10-year State aid procedure on Ireland's past tax rulings relating to Apple. The ECJ judgment did not go as anticipated. In addition, the over €13 billion in aid to be recovered from Apple eclipsed the grounds for the decision, which derive from the specific historical structure of the business and national provisions.
Performance-based Instruments: How could their design be improved?
The expanded use of performance-based instruments, notably as used in the Recovery and Resilience Facility, requires adaptation of budgetary control. This study examines how key changes, such as financing not linked to costs and the use of milestones and targets to trigger disbursement alter budgetary control, The study also puts forward recommendations for the CONT committee of the European Ϸվ to consider in influencing negotiations on the next MFF.
Quadro di performance e integrazione del bilancio dell'UE
Lo studio completo originale esamina la programmazione di bilancio basata sulla performance e l'integrazione, due approcci relativamente innovativi alla governance della spesa pubblica, che sono sempre più utilizzati nei programmi di spesa dell'UE. I due approcci presentano alcune caratteristiche comuni, ma differiscono nella loro impostazione. Per contribuire al dibattito sul prossimo quadro finanziario pluriennale (QFP), il presente studio valuta il funzionamento pratico dei due approcci, cercando ...
Exploring synergies between Horizon Europe and the EU Cohesion Policy
This study examines the evolution and the current status of the implementation of synergies between Horizon Europe and the Cohesion Policy funds for research and innovation activities. It provides insights into the main barriers and drivers for the uptake of these synergies, along with possible pathways forward to achieve greater innovation outcomes. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Industry ...
Exploring synergies between Horizon Europe and the EU Cohesion Policy
This study examines the evolution and the current status of the implementation of synergies between Horizon Europe and the Cohesion Policy funds for research and innovation activities. It provides insights into the main barriers and drivers for the uptake of these synergies, along with possible pathways forward to achieve greater innovation outcomes. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Industry ...