France
Reports on France See all →
GIS Dossier: Mission impossible, or reforming France
France used to be one of the European Union’s “twin engines” along with Germany. These days, this once-proud civilization is considered more of a problem than a solution for the European project. Its economy is ailing under excessive government spending and overregulation, its enterprises are stifled by a rigid system of social protection and labor rules, its democracy increasingly appears to be a sham. France’s last three presidents have been powerless to stop the slide.
Hollande floats Nordic-inspired model as remedy for France’s broken labour code
Unemployment in France is at a record high. Despite the creation of almost half a million subsidised jobs, the ranks of the jobless have swelled by about 1.2 million in the three years since President Francois Hollande’s election, to 6.4 million. For some time now the French public has been ...
Europe could face another refugee crisis from Egypt
Political upheaval and violence in Egypt could lead to a wave of refugees fleeing the country to find peace and stability. European countries signed up to the Schengen agreement – which allows the free movement of people across the borders of 26 states – are just 500 kilometres of water ...
Iran - the West’s ally for peace in the Middle East
Europe and the United States have an opportunity to open constructive talks with Iran as an ally for peace in the Middle East as its new ‘moderate’ leader, Hassan Rouhani, prepares to take over the presidency of the Islamic Republic. Despite rounds of sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme which have ...
Europe’s political, economic and defensive opportunities and challenges
Geopolitical understanding matters more today than ever because geopolitical developments will force European countries to adapt to global neccessities. Are European governments prepared to change or will they continue to focus on short-term steps with the aim of protecting their own positions of power? This 2013 letter from our chairman, ...
