Research

Can the UK extend the Brexit deadline?

Agata Gostyńska-Jakubowska
06 February 2019
It is becoming increasingly likely that the UK will have to request extension of the Article 50 deadline. But a longer extension might mean that the UK would have to hold European Parliament elections.

The lessons of Brexit: Annual report 2018

04 February 2019
The CER's annual report features an essay on the lessons of Brexit. It also describes some of the highlights among our events and publications during the year we celebrated our 20th birthday.

The cost of Brexit to September 2018

27 January 2019
The UK economy is 2.3 per cent smaller than it would be if Britain had voted to remain in the European Union.

How to combat Europe's economic slowdown

Christian Odendahl
25 January 2019
Europe is experiencing an economic slowdown at an exceptionally bad time, but has the tools to fight it and should use them soon.

Trump's foreign policy: Two years of living dangerously

25 January 2019
President Donald Trump has given America’s traditional allies cause to worry that the US will withdraw from its global role. Those allies must now avoid precipitating what they fear most.

Is Spain simply late to Europe's populist party?

Camino Mortera-Martinez
25 January 2019
Few expected Spain to join Europe’s least exclusive party, the one bringing together illiberal forces. But Vox’s rise begs the question: is Spain simply late to the populist bash?

Putin's last term: Taking the long view

Ian Bond, Igor Yurgens
23 January 2019
 
Vladimir Putin has dominated the Russian political scene since 1999. But he is now in what should be his final term as president. He faces economic, social and foreign policy problems; and he has to decide what will happen at the end of his term of office.The performance of...

After the meaningful vote: What are Theresa May's options?

Sam Lowe, John Springford
16 January 2019
Theresa May can only win a parliamentary majority for her withdrawal agreement by agreeing to negotiate a softer relationship with the EU.

Why Europe needs legal migration and how to sell it

Camino Mortera-Martinez, Beth Oppenheim
20 December 2018
Europe needs migrants, and migration is inevitable. Now, European leaders must articulate a powerful case for opening legal migration channels, rather than defaulting to vote-winning policies of containment and control.

Conference report: The politics of slow growth in Europe

John Springford, Christian Odendahl, Nick Winning
19 December 2018
A new CER report summarises its 2018 Ditchley Park conference, which brought together 50 leading economists to discuss 'The politics of slow growth in Europe'.

Trump's Iran policy leaves the EU few options

11 December 2018
Trump’s decision to re-impose sanctions has placed the Iran nuclear agreement on life support and further destabilised the region. Unwilling to seriously support the deal, Europeans will have to rely on diplomacy to limit the damage. 

Brexit and services: How deep can the UK-EU relationship go?

Sam Lowe
06 December 2018
Even if the UK entered into an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, leaving the single market would mean new restrictions on British services exports.

Can the euro rival the dollar?

Christian Odendahl, Adam Tooze
04 December 2018
The international role of the US dollar is deeply entrenched. To change that, Europe – and Germany in particular – would need to rethink some core economic policies.

China and Europe: Buying hearts and minds?

29 November 2018
The EU does not need to compete financially with China’s grandiose ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ (BRI) everywhere. But it should at least stop China buying the support of EU member-states.

What is Europe doing to fight disinformation?

Camino Mortera-Martinez
29 November 2018
Focusing on the most blatant disinformation and helping target audiences understand the difference between real and fake news is the best way to fight disinformation.

An effective UK trade policy and a customs union are compatible

Sam Lowe
29 November 2018
If the UK enters into a customs union with the European Union it will be able to operate an effective trade policy, but the political focus would need to shift away from headline-grabbing, comprehensive free trade agreements.

What happens if Parliament rejects May's Brexit deal?

16 November 2018
Theresa May's deal on Brexit is heading for defeat in Parliament. That could lead to no deal, the negotiation of a different deal, a general election, a second referendum – or MPs swallowing the package at the second attempt.

Brexit deal done – now for the hard part

15 November 2018
Theresa May’s Brexit deal offers some crumbs to Tory hardliners, the DUP and soft Brexiteers. But if the deal passes through parliament, a UK-EU customs union is likely.