Press
Boris Johnson is 'fantastic', says Andrea Leadsom, amid Tory leadership unrest
02 October 2017
The Independent
Ms Leadsom, an ardent Brexiteer, told the Centre for European Reform (CER) fringe event she would remain in the cabinet “as long as the Prime Minister wants” after she diverged from Tory policy by saying the UK would take back control of its “money, borders, laws” by its official exit from the bloc in 2019.
The Eurozone will survive after Brexit – even if the UK crashes out of the EU
29 September 2017
The Independent
It is hard to see a ‘no deal’ scenario derailing the Eurozone recovery – the currency union is simply not dependent enough on the UK for that to happen.
Euro and Brexit land
29 September 2017
Financial Times
On the threat of a Trump trade war, Simon Tilford at the CER warns the White House's escalation is just a taste of things to come for post-Brexit Britain: "Brexiters assume Britain will face a benign international environment once freed from the EU to take advantage of open markets elsewhere. They take for granted that the UK would be able to rely on the US underwriting the global trading system. This was always naive, but has become delusional with the election of Donald Trump."
CER podcast: EU values and interests in the age of Trump
29 September 2017
Sophia Besch talks to Ian Bond about how the European Union can protect the international liberal order, as well as its security interests, when it can no longer rely on partnership with Trump’s America.
What is the Bombardier dispute about? And does it tell us Brexit will be a disaster?
28 September 2017
The Independent
Simon Tilford of the Centre for European Reform believes so. He has noted that the EU and the US have been quarrelling about state support for Boeing and Airbus (the giant European aircraft manufacturer) for several decades but that this has never resulted in US tariffs on Airbus imports.
What does the German election mean for Brexit?
28 September 2017
Deutsche Welle
The next round of Brexit talks, planned for October, could be delayed until December, ostensibly due to a lack of progress on trade issues. However, drawn out coalition talks in Germany may also play a role.
Germany's Mr Austerity to leave - but may not herald change
27 September 2017
The Daily Mail
Schaeuble spent 130 billion euros less than would have been allowed under the constitution's debt rules, according to Christian Odendahl, chief economist at the Centre for European Reform. That frugality may however leave a successor more room to loosen fiscal policy, either through tax cuts or more spending, or both, he said.
Brexiters are being naive over US trade. Bombardier is a taste of things to come
27 September 2017
The Guardian
Outside the EU's protective umbrella, Brexit Britain would be at the mercy of strong-arm US trade tactics.
Judy Asks: What next for Europe after the German election?
26 September 2017
Carnegie Europe
Experts from Europe and across the globe weigh in on the range of domestic, European, and foreign policy priorities facing German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the new coalition government in Berlin.
Germania, la Merkel vince ma l'equilibrio non sta più nel mezzo
25 September 2017
L'Espresso
«Difficile vedere la differenza tra centro destra e centro sinistra, in Germania i due partiti sono oramai indistinguibili», ha sottolineato a caldo Simon Tilford, vice direttore del Centre for European Reform di Londra: «Come del resto in altri grandi Paesi europei». A proposito d'Europa: nessuno più del presidente francese Emmanuel Macron avrà sofferto nel vedere i risultati delle elezioni tedesche. Il suo grande piano di riforma dell'Unione europea si basa innanzitutto su una profonda e sincera alleanza tra la sua Francia e una Germania libera dall'incubo elezioni, di nuovo saldamente in mano alla Cancelliera.
German election results LIVE: AfD vows to 'hunt' Angela Merkel after making shock gains
25 September 2017
The Express
Simon Tilford of the Centre for European Reform tweeted: “13.5% for AFD grim, but its high point given refugee inflows falling back? Hopefully SPD result will force it to be more social-democratic.
Victoire en demi-teinte pour Angela Merkel
25 September 2017
Le Devoir
« Avec les résultats de ce soir, la coopération entre la CDU et le SPD prend fin, a déclaré son candidat Martin Schulz. […] Nous sommes tous d’accord pour devenir le premier parti d’opposition. […] Notre parti connaît à nouveau des heures amères, mais la social-démocratie a survécu et trouvé le moyen de montrer sa force — même confrontée à l’extrême droite qui affiche son visage hideux. » Selon l’économiste en chef du Centre for European Reform, Christian Odendahl, ce résultat n’est ni plus ni moins qu’« un désastre pour le SPD ».
Brexit and energy: A choice between economics and sovereignty
25 September 2017
EurActiv
Withdrawal from the European Union raises key questions for the UK's energy sector.
Merkel's poll win unlikely to make much difference to Brexit, analysts say
25 September 2017
The Guardian
The EU and single market are a “core national interest” for Germany, “essential to its stability, security and prosperity”, said Christian Odendahl of the Centre for European Reform. All major parties and most voters bar the 13% who cast their ballots for the anti-immigrant AfD want more EU cooperation, not less.
China Business Network (CBN): German elections
25 September 2017
Christian Odendahl speaks to China Business Network about the German elections.
China Business Network (CBN): German election results
25 September 2017
Sophia Besch speaks to China Business Network about the German election results (from 0.42).
Merkel's win comes with EU prestige intact, but power weakened
25 September 2017
Deutsche Welle
Christian Odendahl of the Centre for European Reform (CER) said Merkel's position will not be significantly weakened in the eyes of other EU leaders, but the less "wiggle room" she now has domestically will affect her ability to make deals with the bloc. Instead of having a commanding majority in the parliament, Odendahl pointed out, "she'll have to look carefully at all sides to make sure everyone's happy in her coalition – which will be a difficult coalition to begin with."
Sky News: Merkel admits 'challenge' of AfD winning seats in parliament
25 September 2017
Christian Odendahl speaks to Sky News on the results of the German electioins (from 02.50 mins)
Macron to pledge to plough on with Europe reforms despite German electoral setback
25 September 2017
The Telegraph
Christian Odendahl, the senior economist at the Centre for European Reform in Berlin, said that there was still a "fundamental difference" in view between France and Germany, which is demanding that any burden-sharing must be accompanied by measures to tighten control over national fiscal policies."I don’t think his eurozone reforms will go very far now," Mr Odendahl predicted. "Macron will be be disappointed."
German election: Who will be in the 'Jamaica' coalition with Angela Merkel?
25 September 2017
The Express
Sophia Besch, research fellow at the CER, said the German elections will not affect the outcome of Brexit because all the parties share a similar stance. She said: "All major German parties want to maintain close economic and political ties to Britain post-Brexit, and limit the economic fallout. "But Germans are also adamant that there will be no cherry-picking by the British after Brexit, that means no selective participation in the single market."