European Union

A little more than a year into the Trump 2.0 era, it has become apparent that the “post–Cold War” international order is in its death throes. For three decades, global affairs have been shaped by a system dominated by the United States as the world’s only genuinely global power. American power was embedded in a “rules-based” international order founded on respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, alongside liberal-democratic norms such as “free” global economic exchange and institutionalised governance. Led by the United States and its Western allies, this order was considered by some in the early 1990s to be the “end of history”, a supposedly final stage in human ideological, political and economic evolution (Fukuyama, 1989). While the order was never without its practical and moral failings, and although many countries did not benefit from its protection, it was widely considered an improvement over past systems for organising international interdependence. Today, however, the liberal inter­nationalist project faces a profound crisis and is being challenged by geopolitical competition and a hollowing out from within (Ikenberry, 2024).

A little more than a year into the Trump 2.0 era, it has become apparent that the “post–Cold War” international order is in its death throes. For three decades, global affairs have been shaped by a system dominated by the United States as the world’s only genuinely global power. American power was embedded in a “rules-based” international order founded on respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, alongside liberal-democratic norms such as “free” global economic exchange and institutionalised governance. Led by the United States and its Western allies, this order was considered by some in the early 1990s to be the “end of history”, a supposedly final stage in human ideological, political and economic evolution (Fukuyama, 1989). While the order was never without its practical and moral failings, and although many countries did not benefit from its protection, it was widely considered an improvement over past systems for organising international interdependence. Today, however, the liberal inter­nationalist project faces a profound crisis and is being challenged by geopolitical competition and a hollowing out from within (Ikenberry, 2024).

Caught between weak employment opportunities and widespread informal employment, Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge. Existing incentives in the labour market encourage both firms and workers to engage in informal employment arrangements. Firms benefit from lower labour costs and greater flexibility, while workers often seek higher take-home pay, driven by limited confidence in the benefits associated with formal employment. Many workers perceive tax and social insurance deductions as offering few tangible benefits or effective safety nets that would compensate for the reduction in current income. At the same time, policies aimed at promoting formal job creation that rely exclusively on stricter enforcement may backfire by increasing hiring costs, thereby creating an additional obstacle for job creation as well as for policymakers. 

Caught between weak employment opportunities and widespread informal employment, Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge. Existing incentives in the labour market encourage both firms and workers to engage in informal employment arrangements. Firms benefit from lower labour costs and greater flexibility, while workers often seek higher take-home pay, driven by limited confidence in the benefits associated with formal employment. Many workers perceive tax and social insurance deductions as offering few tangible benefits or effective safety nets that would compensate for the reduction in current income. At the same time, policies aimed at promoting formal job creation that rely exclusively on stricter enforcement may backfire by increasing hiring costs, thereby creating an additional obstacle for job creation as well as for policymakers. 

Caught between weak employment opportunities and widespread informal employment, Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge. Existing incentives in the labour market encourage both firms and workers to engage in informal employment arrangements. Firms benefit from lower labour costs and greater flexibility, while workers often seek higher take-home pay, driven by limited confidence in the benefits associated with formal employment. Many workers perceive tax and social insurance deductions as offering few tangible benefits or effective safety nets that would compensate for the reduction in current income. At the same time, policies aimed at promoting formal job creation that rely exclusively on stricter enforcement may backfire by increasing hiring costs, thereby creating an additional obstacle for job creation as well as for policymakers. 

The changing global order is reshaping the domestic politics of foreign aid. As many OECD governments shift their focus towards defence spending and narrower national interests, contributions to global public goods and development are declining. Development budgets, in particular, are traditionally among the first casualties of public spending cuts. Germany is no exception. Its core development budget has fallen from €12.4 billion in 2021 to €9.9 billion in 2026 – a decline of around 20 per cent. This decrease is driven by overall pressure on public spending and a decisive shift towards defence. A recent study projects a contested but illustrative estimate, suggesting that aid cuts could lead to an additional 9.4 million deaths by 2030 (da Silva et al., 2026). In January 2026, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) presented a reform strategy that directly addresses these pressures. The strategy advocates a shift towards a more targeted approach, shaped in part by these budget cuts. However, it also addresses long-standing reform needs that predate them. Three aspects are particularly noteworthy: a clear focus on least developed countries (LDCs), where aid can have relatively high impact; explicit thematic prioritisation that recognises over-fragmentation as a key problem; and a stronger commitment to evidence and results, anchored in the statement that “effectiveness and evidence are central principles for steering German development cooperation” (BMZ, 2026). Possible concrete steps towards achieving these goals can be found in a joint CGD–IDOS policy paper on prioritisation (Hughes, Janus, Mitchell, & Röthel, 2025). However, questions remain about the strategy, most notably the apparent tensions between the focus on LDCs and ambitions to promote German business interests, the vague implementation plans and the fundamental question of political viability: Can these reforms generate meaningful change within the German development cooperation system and its wider political authorising environment?

The changing global order is reshaping the domestic politics of foreign aid. As many OECD governments shift their focus towards defence spending and narrower national interests, contributions to global public goods and development are declining. Development budgets, in particular, are traditionally among the first casualties of public spending cuts. Germany is no exception. Its core development budget has fallen from €12.4 billion in 2021 to €9.9 billion in 2026 – a decline of around 20 per cent. This decrease is driven by overall pressure on public spending and a decisive shift towards defence. A recent study projects a contested but illustrative estimate, suggesting that aid cuts could lead to an additional 9.4 million deaths by 2030 (da Silva et al., 2026). In January 2026, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) presented a reform strategy that directly addresses these pressures. The strategy advocates a shift towards a more targeted approach, shaped in part by these budget cuts. However, it also addresses long-standing reform needs that predate them. Three aspects are particularly noteworthy: a clear focus on least developed countries (LDCs), where aid can have relatively high impact; explicit thematic prioritisation that recognises over-fragmentation as a key problem; and a stronger commitment to evidence and results, anchored in the statement that “effectiveness and evidence are central principles for steering German development cooperation” (BMZ, 2026). Possible concrete steps towards achieving these goals can be found in a joint CGD–IDOS policy paper on prioritisation (Hughes, Janus, Mitchell, & Röthel, 2025). However, questions remain about the strategy, most notably the apparent tensions between the focus on LDCs and ambitions to promote German business interests, the vague implementation plans and the fundamental question of political viability: Can these reforms generate meaningful change within the German development cooperation system and its wider political authorising environment?

The changing global order is reshaping the domestic politics of foreign aid. As many OECD governments shift their focus towards defence spending and narrower national interests, contributions to global public goods and development are declining. Development budgets, in particular, are traditionally among the first casualties of public spending cuts. Germany is no exception. Its core development budget has fallen from €12.4 billion in 2021 to €9.9 billion in 2026 – a decline of around 20 per cent. This decrease is driven by overall pressure on public spending and a decisive shift towards defence. A recent study projects a contested but illustrative estimate, suggesting that aid cuts could lead to an additional 9.4 million deaths by 2030 (da Silva et al., 2026). In January 2026, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) presented a reform strategy that directly addresses these pressures. The strategy advocates a shift towards a more targeted approach, shaped in part by these budget cuts. However, it also addresses long-standing reform needs that predate them. Three aspects are particularly noteworthy: a clear focus on least developed countries (LDCs), where aid can have relatively high impact; explicit thematic prioritisation that recognises over-fragmentation as a key problem; and a stronger commitment to evidence and results, anchored in the statement that “effectiveness and evidence are central principles for steering German development cooperation” (BMZ, 2026). Possible concrete steps towards achieving these goals can be found in a joint CGD–IDOS policy paper on prioritisation (Hughes, Janus, Mitchell, & Röthel, 2025). However, questions remain about the strategy, most notably the apparent tensions between the focus on LDCs and ambitions to promote German business interests, the vague implementation plans and the fundamental question of political viability: Can these reforms generate meaningful change within the German development cooperation system and its wider political authorising environment?

How China handles this conflict will reveal more about its actual power – and its vulnerabilities – than any trade deal announced in Beijing.

Sprūds stepped down on Sunday evening after two foreign drones crashed in Latvia last week

Companies set to receive millions more free CO2 allowances out than previously planned

SPD and CDU figures split over renewed engagement with Moscow

“Lower rates, slower indexation, and longer transition periods compound one another", the groups warn

Concerns raised at Euractiv’s health policy conference are now at the centre of the CMA talks, while Athens is requesting more flexibility in EU preference modules

Ministers are set to agree on fresh sanctions against violent West Bank settlers on Monday

OPINION on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive (EU) 2015/637 on the coordination and cooperation measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries and Directive (EU) 2019/997 establishing an EU Emergency Travel Document
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nacho Sánchez Amor

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Ukraine is not a burden on our resources; it is essential to Europe’s security, strength, and future

MISSION REPORT following the mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan from 30 March to 2 April 2026
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Written by Laurence Amand-Eeckhout.

The integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare and daily life could deeply impact people’s health and wellbeing, bringing health benefits but also introducing new challenges. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed healthcare by supporting clinicians in improving diagnostics, predicting health risks, and personalising treatments in fields such as radiology, oncology, cardiology, and rare diseases, and streamlining hospital management. It offers opportunities to make healthcare more effective, accessible for all, with better outcomes for patients and national health systems. It also supports pharmaceutical development. Beyond clinical settings, citizens use AI chatbots to obtain health information and wellness advice, although this carries risks of misinformation and over-reliance. While AI offers benefits for vulnerable groups, it also carries age-specific risks that require careful attention. For older adults, AI offers remote monitoring, assistive technologies, and companionship tools, but risks replacing rather than complementing human interaction. Young people and children using AI face serious risks including exposure to harmful content, emotional dependency, privacy violations, and reduced critical thinking. Across all age groups, excessive or poorly designed AI use is linked to anxiety, sleep disorders, sedentarism and social withdrawal. Use of AI companions can backfire, deepening isolation or even triggering mental health crises in vulnerable users. The EU AI Act and sector-specific legislation aim to govern these risks while fostering innovation. Realising AI’s health benefits ultimately requires robust human oversight, strong safeguards, and digital skills, with a commitment to keeping human connection and care at the centre, as AI cannot replace face-to-face contact and community structures.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Health and wellbeing in the age of artificial intelligence‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Willkommen bei Hays Travel Europa, Ihrem Reisepartner für unvergessliche Erlebnisse. Unsere umfangreiche Expertise ermöglicht es uns, Ihnen maßgeschneiderte Reisen anzubieten, die perfekt auf Ihre Wünsche abgestimmt sind. Von Kulturreisen bis hin zu entspannten Strandurlauben, wir erschaffen Ihre Traumreise.

Egal, ob Sie eine individuelle Beratung bevorzugen oder sich von unseren vielfältigen Angeboten inspirieren lassen möchten – Hays Travel Europa bietet eine breite Palette an Dienstleistungen aus einer Hand. Profitieren Sie von unseren attraktiven Frühbucher- und Last-Minute-Angeboten und erleben Sie Europa auf eine neue, faszinierende Weise.

Unsere Reiseexperten stehen Ihnen jederzeit zur Verfügung und unterstützen Sie umfassend, sodass Ihr Urlaub reibungslos und stressfrei verläuft. Bei Hays Travel Europa können Sie sich darauf verlassen, dass Ihre Reise in besten Händen ist.

Das Wichtigste in Kürze

• Hays Travel Europa bietet maßgeschneiderte Reisen und exklusive Angebote in ganz Europa.
• Umfassende Dienstleistungen: von der Planung bis zur Unterstützung während der Reise.
• Persönliche Beratung für individuelle Reiseerlebnisse und maßgeschneiderte Gruppen- und Individualreisen.
• Attraktive Frühbucher- und Last-Minute-Angebote für spontane und planvolle Reisende.
• Ständige Erreichbarkeit und verlässlicher Service für einen stressfreien Urlaub.

Persönliche Beratung für individuelle Reiseerlebnisse

Bei Hays Travel Europa steht Ihre Zufriedenheit im Mittelpunkt. Unser Expertenteam setzt alles daran, Ihnen eine maßgeschneiderte Reiseberatung zu bieten, die auf Ihre individuellen Wünsche und Vorlieben abgestimmt ist.

Dazu mehr: Bilderberg Europa Hotel Scheveningen: Ihr Traumhotel

Exklusive Urlaubsangebote in ganz Europa

Hays Travel Europa: Ihr ReiseprofiHays Travel Europa bietet Ihnen eine breite Auswahl an exklusiven Urlaubsangeboten quer durch Europa. Ganz gleich, ob Sie sich für einen entspannenden Strandurlaub oder ein aufregendes Städtereiseziel interessieren – mit Hays Travel Europa können Sie sicher sein, dass Ihr Urlaub unvergesslich wird. Entdecken Sie verborgene Schätze und besondere Sehenswürdigkeiten, die nur Insidern bekannt sind. flugtickets

Die Welt ist ein Buch. Wer nie reist, sieht nur eine Seite davon. – Augustinus von Hippo

Vielfältige Reisedienstleistungen aus einer Hand

Mit Hays Travel Europa profitieren Sie von einer umfassenden Palette an Reisedienstleistungen. Unsere Angebote umfassen alles, was Sie für eine stressfreie und unvergessliche Reise benötigen – von der Planung bis zur Rückkehr. Vertrauen Sie auf unsere Expertise, um Ihre individuellen Reisewünsche zu erfüllen.

Maßgeschneiderte Gruppen- und Individualreisen

Bei Hays Travel Europa verstehen wir, dass Reisende unterschiedliche Wünsche haben. Deshalb bieten wir maßgeschneiderte Reisen sowohl für Gruppen als auch für Individualreisende an. Unsere Experten arbeiten eng mit Ihnen zusammen, um Ihre persönlichen Vorlieben und Interessen in den Reiseplan zu integrieren.

Weiterführendes Material: Urlaubsländer Europa: Ein Überblick

.table-responsiv {width: 100%;padding: 0px;margin-bottom: 0px;overflow-y: hidden;border: 1px solid #DDD;overflow-x: auto;min-height: 0.01%;} Reiseziel Beschreibung Preis Barcelona Eine lebendige Stadt mit atemberaubender Architektur und Stränden €450 Rom Die Ewige Stadt, reich an Geschichte und Kultur €550 Athen Entdecken Sie die Wiege der westlichen Zivilisation €400 Umfangreiche Unterstützung während der Reise

Umfangreiche Unterstützung während der Reise – Hays Travel Europa: Ihr ReiseprofiWährend Ihrer gesamten Reise steht Hays Travel Europa Ihnen mit einer umfassenden Unterstützung zur Seite. Unser Team ist stets erreichbar, um auf Ihre Bedürfnisse einzugehen und zu gewährleisten, dass Ihr Urlaub reibungslos verläuft. Ob es sich um Fragen, Notfälle oder zusätzliche Informationen handelt – wir sind da, um Ihnen beizustehen und sicherzustellen, dass Ihre Reise unvergesslich wird.

Zum Weiterlesen: Günstig reisen in Europa: So geht’s

Experten für Kultur- und Freizeitaktivitäten

Hays Travel Europa unterstützt Sie dabei, die kulturellen Schätze und Freizeitaktivitäten Europas zu entdecken. Unsere Reiseberater sind Experten darin, Ihnen einzigartige Erlebnisse zusammenzustellen. Mit einem besonderen Fokus auf lokale Traditionen, historische Sehenswürdigkeiten und authentische Freizeitangebote wird sichergestellt, dass Ihre Reise unvergesslich wird. Sei es eine geführte Tour durch ein namhaftes Museum, der Besuch von regionalen Festen oder besondere Freizeitaktivitäten, bei Hays Travel Europa finden Sie maßgeschneiderte Angebote, die exakt Ihren Interessen entsprechen.

Ständige Erreichbarkeit und verlässlicher Service

Bei Hays Travel Europa legen wir großen Wert auf ständige Erreichbarkeit. Unser Service-Team ist rund um die Uhr erreichbar, um Ihnen bei jeglichen Fragen und Anliegen weiterzuhelfen. Egal, ob Sie Unterstützung während der Reise benötigen oder einfach eine Information wünschen – mit unserem verlässlichen Service sind Sie jederzeit gut beraten.

Attraktive Frühbucher- und Last-Minute-Angebote

Nutzen Sie die attraktiven Frühbucher-Rabatte von Hays Travel Europa, um Ihren Urlaub zu planen und dabei Geld zu sparen. Für kurzentschlossene Reisende bieten wir auch hervorragende Last-Minute-Angebote, die Ihnen spontane Getaways ermöglichen. Profitieren Sie von diesen speziellen Offerten und sichern Sie sich Ihre Traumreise zum besten Preis.

FAQ: Antworten auf häufig gestellte Fragen Wie kann ich eine Reise bei Hays Travel Europa buchen? Sie können eine Reise bei Hays Travel Europa entweder über unsere Website, telefonisch oder persönlich in einem unserer Reisebüros buchen. Unser Expertenteam steht Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung, um Ihre Buchung reibungslos und effizient zu gestalten. Welche Zahlungsmethoden werden akzeptiert? Bei Hays Travel Europa akzeptieren wir verschiedene Zahlungsmethoden, darunter Kreditkarten (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), Banküberweisungen und PayPal. Bitte kontaktieren Sie uns, um die für Sie passende Zahlungsmethode zu besprechen. Bietet Hays Travel Europa Reiseversicherungen an? Ja, wir bieten verschiedene Reiseversicherungen an, die Sie gegen unerwartete Ereignisse wie Krankheit, Reiseausfall oder Gepäckverlust absichern. Unsere Experten beraten Sie gern, welche Versicherung am besten zu Ihrer Reise passt. Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, meine Reise individuell anzupassen? Selbstverständlich! Bei Hays Travel Europa legen wir großen Wert auf maßgeschneiderte Reisen. Teilen Sie uns Ihre Wünsche und Vorlieben mit, und unser Expertenteam wird Ihnen eine individuelle Reiseroute zusammenstellen, die perfekt an Ihre Bedürfnisse angepasst ist. Kann ich meine Buchung ändern oder stornieren? Ja, Buchungsänderungen und Stornierungen sind möglich, jedoch können je nach Zeitpunkt und Tarifbedingungen Stornierungs- oder Änderungsgebühren anfallen. Wir empfehlen Ihnen, sich genau über die Konditionen Ihrer Buchung zu informieren und uns bei Änderungswünschen rechtzeitig zu kontaktieren. Bietet Hays Travel Europa auch Reisen außerhalb Europas an? Derzeit spezialisiert sich Hays Travel Europa auf Reisen innerhalb Europas. Bei speziellen Anfragen oder Wunschzielen außerhalb Europas prüfen wir jedoch gerne die Möglichkeiten für Sie und unterstützen Sie bestmöglich bei der Planung. Kann ich auch nur einzelne Bausteine einer Reise buchen, wie z.B. Flüge oder Hotels? Ja, bei Hays Travel Europa können Sie auch einzelne Reisebausteine wie Flüge, Hotels, oder Mietwagen separat buchen. Unsere Experten helfen Ihnen gern bei der Auswahl und Buchung der gewünschten Leistungen.

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