Thomas van der Valk, Author at Shaping Europe

No democracy, no cash: saving the Rule of Law in Europe

Posted on 9 March 2021
by Daria Stănculescu and Thomas van der Valk
with 0 Comments

The challenges of the EU’s new rule of law mechanism. The rule of law is one of the foundational values of the European Union and is the cornerstone of any well-functioning democracy. The Union institutions have repeatedly highlighted the importance of this principle, referring to…

Financial and Monetary Affairs

The unthinkable reform of the Eurozone

Posted on 5 July 2020
by Thomas van der Valk
with 1 Comment

Lessons from Jeroen Dijsselbloem’s “Euro Crisis - The Inside Story”. With the Coronavirus spreading, besides the unfolding human tragedy, the economy is taking a hit as well. Business trips and meetings are being cancelled, and the stock market is already taking losses due to uncertainty.…

Climate and Sustainability

The Green Deal’s Opportunities for Recovery

Posted on 1 June 2020
by Thomas van der Valk
with 0 Comments

What we can learn from America’s New Deal. Europe’s Green Deal has the ambition of making Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050. European Commission President Von der Leyen means business, she even referred to the Green Deal as Europe’s moon landing moment. If…

Democracy and Rule of Law

Europe’s rule of law struggle

Posted on 10 April 2020
by Thomas van der Valk
with 0 Comments

The EU's tool box to save Poland and Hungary's democracies. Independent judges, free media, protection against discrimination and the freedom of thought and religion. They all depend on strong rule of law. In a democracy with the rule of law, the government faces checks and…