Revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed a revision to the Tobacco Taxation Directive, alongside modifications to the general Excise Duty Directive.
Briefings
Confiscation of immobilised Russian sovereign assets: State of play, arguments and scenarios
Within days of Russia having launched its full-scale aggression against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the EU included in its third package of sanctions the prohibition of any transaction related to the management of reserves and assets of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), thus immobilising (‘freezing’) approximately €210 billion worth of assets held under EU Member States’ jurisdictions. The non-EU G7 countries (the US, the UK, Canada and Japan), together with Australia and Switzerland, adopted similar measures.
European Universities alliances – a model of strengthened cooperation
A European University is formed when a group of higher education institutions (HEIs) come together to create an alliance. The alliances comprise all types of HEIs, covering a broad geographic scope across Europe, and work together with partners outside the educational field.
The policy priorities of the von der Leyen II Commission: State of play ahead of the 2025 State of the Union address
On the eve of the first State of the Union address of Ursula von der Leyen’s second mandate as European Commission President, this paper provides an assessment of the commitments the Commission has made since it took office on 1 December 2024, and how it is delivering on them.
Amending the European Climate Law: Setting an emissions reduction target for 2040 [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission intends to use the EU 2040 climate target to set the nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU towards 2035 under the Paris Agreement, due in September 2025.
Amending the European Climate Law: Setting an emissions reduction target for 2040 [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission intends to use the EU 2040 climate target to set the nationally determined contribution (NDC) of the EU towards 2035 under the Paris Agreement, due in September 2025.
2025 State of the Union address: Purpose, historical significance and overview of addresses since 2010
The practice of European Commission Presidents delivering a State of the Union address each year in September, during a plenary session of the European Parliament, began in 2010.
Political party bans
This briefing examines the theoretical and legal foundations of party bans, their implementation in EU Member States, and international recommendations concerning this measure.
Political party bans
This briefing examines the theoretical and legal foundations of party bans, their implementation in EU Member States, and international recommendations concerning this measure.
Political party bans
This briefing examines the theoretical and legal foundations of party bans, their implementation in EU Member States, and international recommendations concerning this measure.