Portland poll shows European discontent leading to far-right surge
The overall picture: a swing to the right A wave of dis-satisfaction is sweeping across the European continent – with one major exception among the countries we polled – which looks set to empower the populist far right in this year’s European Parliament elections. Citizens across Europe are profoundly unhappy about issues such as the […]
EU AI Act – Nearing finalisation.. or just the beginning?
Following three consecutive days of meetings which ended on 8 December 2023, European Parliament and Council negotiators celebrated the political agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). This time it was Spain’s turn to claim fame, after a line of Member States clung to ‘high-level’ agreements at the end of their Council presidency. However, […]
The EU-China Summit in a tense geopolitical environment
Last week, on 7th December, the 24th EU-China Summit was held in Beijing, marking the first time the two powers have met face-to-face since the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting took place at an important time in EU-China relations, and was attended by European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and […]
The EU boosts global infrastructure investment at the Global Gateway Forum
The increasingly multipolar world order has seen the appearance of a number of sizable investment programmes launched by major powers focused on regions of the world which are considered to be of strategic importance. One of these programmes was in the limelight last week, as the EU organised its first Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, […]
Will Germany’s government fracture due to state elections?
The Government lost, right-wing populism is on the rise Results of the state elections in Bavaria and Hesse on the 8 October have put massive pressure on the federal government of Germany. The strongest party is once again the conservative CDU/CSU, which already leads governing coalitions in both states, but is in opposition at the […]
Portland’s Insights on the State of the European Union 2023: The Road to Next Year’s Elections
On Wednesday, 13th September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the European Union Speech (SOTEU) at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This yearly key intervention by the Commission President, which has grown in importance in Brussels, serves as a way not only to present the work […]
Portland and Ketchum partner to launch Beyond the Ballot to support clients to navigate the impact of the historic triple elections in the UK, EU and US
We are very pleased to share that Portland and Ketchum are today announcing a new joint division in London to help our clients navigate the impact of the 2024 historic triple elections in the EU, US and in all likelihood, the UK. A market-leading, first-of-its-kind offering, Beyond the Ballot combines the on the ground political expertise […]
The fall of the Dutch Government and its longest serving Prime Minister Rutte: end of an era and look ahead
On Friday 7 July, the ruling 4-party coalition of the Netherlands fell over an insurmountable difference on asylum policy. The ripple effect, which will be felt across Europe, has effectively ended the political career of one of Europe’s long-standing political leaders – Prime Minister Mark Rutte. How did we get here? At a party congress […]
Turbulent Times Ahead: Spain at the helm of the European Union amidst general election
Next month, Spain will officially take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of the year. Presidencies come and go, but Spain’s ascendancy comes at a crucial time for both Spanish and European politics. With domestic political challenges preceding Spain’s general election alongside the ticking clock of the European […]
What to expect as the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation reform enters endgame
After several delays, the European Commission has finally published its long-awaited proposal for a pharmaceutical package. The package consists of the revision of the General Pharmaceutical Legislation, the revision of the Paediatrics and Rare Disease legislation as well as a Council Recommendation on antimicrobial resistance. Within these developments, the once in a generation reform to […]