European Union

Mousse
Principles of Community law
GDPR and rail transport: a customer’s gender identity is not necessary data for the purchase of a transport ticket

Written by Etienne Bassot.

The ninth edition of this annual publication presents 10 issues to watch in 2025, selected by the Members’ Research Service of the European Parliament. Some of these issues feature high on the 2025 European political agenda as they reflect the three pillars of the ‘competitiveness compass’ that the von der Leyen II Commission has identified for its 2024-2029 mandate: balancing scale with innovation for productivity, setting the 2040 climate target, and taking the next steps towards European economic security. Other subjects are more specific, such as waiting to move up a gear: European electric cars, and helping the EU compete on artificial intelligence. For some issues, progress has long been too slow and new impetus is needed: strengthening the European defence industry, and speeding up the return of irregular migrants. All these issues, as well as other issues beyond this list of 10, require financial means and investment, which in turn raises the additional challenge of shaping the EU’s future finances and strengthening capacity to invest in the future. The overarching issue of restoring trust in the public sphere – in traditional news media, social media, governments and institutions, and business – meanwhile affects all of the above.

As a new political cycle begins for the European institutions, with the latest mandates having started on 1 December 2024, this list of issues could seem daunting. Alternatively, they can be seen as a list of new opportunities for the European Union to assert itself, bounce back, and move ahead.

History teaches that it has been when under the pressure of events that the European Union (EU) has made most progress. It is already becoming clear how Russia’s war on Ukraine and changes in transatlantic relations have made the EU move ahead on security and defence. The challenges that are accumulating are the very same that offer the EU a chance to get stronger and assert itself on the world stage. These issues demand choices; they also offer opportunities. The European Parliament, as the place for debate among directly elected members and as co-legislator, will have an important role to play when it comes to deciding on the EU’s future course. The year 2025 will be a year of decisions – a theme that runs through this publication – as illustrated by its cover image.

These choices – these decisions – call for independent, objective and authoritative information: the motto of the European Parliamentary Research Service. EPRS publications rely on research, robust facts and figures, and informed analysis to provide the European Parliament’s Members with the elements they need to do their work, and ultimately build the trust that must underpin any democracy.

Readers will find analysis on issues that do not feature on this list of 10 in previous editions of this publication (listed under the ‘Further reading section’) and in the thousands of publications that EPRS has issued online and in paper over the years, enriching Parliament’s knowledge environment.

We hope that you will find this latest edition of ‘Ten Issues to watch’ informative and useful as you consider the challenges and opportunities of 2025.

Read the complete in-depth analysis on ‘Ten issues to watch in 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Events that will shape 2025

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about a Kazakh company reportedly bidding for Bulgaria’s only refinery, the Czech Senate looking to debate an anti-spy bill aimed at Russian sabotage activities, and so much more. 

The post Czechia steps up fight against Russian espionage appeared first on Euractiv.

Romania's ruling coalition agreed on Wednesday to rerun a two-round presidential election on 4 May and 18 May and stuck to an original plan to endorse a single candidate.

The post Elena Lasconi to run for president of Romania, ruling coalition candidate unclear appeared first on Euractiv.

Kazakh oil is becoming more widely used in Europe following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The post Kazakh company reportedly bidding for Bulgaria’s only refinery appeared first on Euractiv.

The president has painted a somewhat apocalyptic scenario over oil deliveries.

The post Serbia’s Vučić has hidden agenda behind NIS sanctions alarm, analysts say appeared first on Euractiv.

The far right called the commemoration absurd necrophilia.

The post Half a century after Franco’s death, wounds remain open appeared first on Euractiv.

Critics worry about the criminalisation of legitimate activities and freedom of speech.

The post Czechia steps up fight against Russian espionage appeared first on Euractiv.

Since 1 January Slovakia has continued receiving gas coming via Hungary, which receives Russian gas via TurkStream

The post Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin appeared first on Euractiv.

The world's richest man is preparing to broadcast Germany's far-right, but he does not seem to get Europeans.

The post Elon Musk’s European adventure appeared first on Euractiv.

"We are ready to assist Moldova, including with coal supplies," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address after discussing the crisis with Sandu by telephone.

The post Zelenskyy, Sandu discuss Ukrainian coal to ease Transnistria energy crisis appeared first on Euractiv.

In this episode, we look back at a critical development in Europe’s green agenda: Teresa Ribera’s appointment by President von der Leyen to steer Europe’s green transition while ensuring its competitiveness.

The post Top10. The climate ambitions of the next EU commission appeared first on Euractiv.

Election of new EDPS might end up deciding future of Commission's Microsoft use.

The post Internal documents reveal Commission fears over Microsoft dependency appeared first on Euractiv.

The EU’s pharma sector joins forces to call for the EU to support a more rapid move to electronic product information (ePI).

The post Pharmaceutical sector urges EU to adopt electronic product information appeared first on Euractiv.

The EU must ramp up investment, potentially by an extra €558 billion a year, or fail to meet its 2030 climate ambitions, the paper published by the ECB reads.

The post ECB paper highlights shortcomings of EU’s green finance rules appeared first on Euractiv.

A growing number of MEPs have questioned whether Musk's posts breach the EU's content moderation law.

The post MEPs call for debate on Elon Musk’s ‘abuse of social networks’ appeared first on Euractiv.

The German scheme is a precursor to an EU-wide carbon price on heating and transport, which will kick in from 2027.

The post German climate boss calls for citizen relief as domestic carbon pricing raises €13 billion appeared first on Euractiv.

Europe has the time and tools to keep Austria from veering into full Orbánism.

The post The Brief – Don’t worry, there’s only one Orbán appeared first on Euractiv.

Czesław Siekierski has led a crusade against further trade liberalisation with Ukraine unless EU farmers are protected.

The post Polish farming minister pushes to link Ukraine agricultural trade talks with EU-Mercosur deal appeared first on Euractiv.

What ZKL's experience says about the future of the European Board for Food and Agriculture.

The post German lessons for EU dialogue on food policy appeared first on Euractiv.