Lea

In Germany, there has been little talk of Germany leaving Europe, at least in the circles in which I move. The only ones who have discussed it are the AfD and its supporters. But even they have abandoned this desperate form of polarisation. For example, it was no longer part of their party programme for the European elections 2024, although it was there in the elections before in 2019 (Deutschlandfunk, 2023).

The Social LobbyMap report "The lobbying effect: How corporate influence shaped the EU's sustainability Omnibus proposal" highlights how lobbying challenges the democratic foundations of the EU. Using the CSRD as an example, it shows that the Omnibus package's original comprehensive reporting requirements for companies were significantly watered down because economic actors had a direct influence on the legislation through their lobby groups. Citizens had little opportunity to directly impact this process, even though the directives have significant social and environmental consequences. This highlights a classic democratic deficit. The EU formulates innovative goals, but their implementation is driven by economic interests rather than primarily by the will of the people. Transparency and democratic control by citizens remain insufficient, while lobby groups effectively help determine the Union's agenda. The CSRD example shows how democratic legitimacy in the EU can come under pressure from external interests.

The European Union has found a new topic that everyone agrees on, that unites Europe and leads to Europeanisation both top-down and bottom-up: hydrogen. 

The problem here is that it will be mainly produced on the African continent and then transported to Europe. There are frequent warnings about this neo-colonialism, and today I recommend the report:

„Beyond Extractivism: Towards a Feminist and Just Economic Transition in Morocco and Egypt“ (Greenpeace MENA & MENAFem Movement, 2025) 

The report impressively shows that the so-called hydrogen and energy cooperation between Europe and countries such as Morocco and Egypt can increasingly resemble a modern form of "green colonialism". Although the expansion of renewable energies and green hydrogen is being sold as a sustainable transition, in reality it primarily serves Europe's growing energy needs, while exploiting environmental, water and land resources in partner countries. Local needs, social development and value creation are often ignored, instead, a form of extractivist economic relations emerges in which prosperity and control remain in Europe, while both the countries mentioned in North Africa and countries such as Namibia and Kenya in Sub-Saharan Africa are exploited.

The Gen Z uprisings in Nepal are an impressive sign of resistance against years of democratic backsliding and authoritarian power politics. They make it clear that democratic rights must be fought for and protected. Years of mistrust of corrupt elites, nepotism and the dismantling of democratic institutions led to this collective mobilisation. It is particularly noteworthy that the protests were grassroots, independent of traditional parties and led by young people, with school pupils, students and workers courageously standing up against oppression. These movements are not only a rebellion against the social media ban, but also highlight the structural injustices and power mechanisms that have undermined democratic processes. They deserve solidarity, because they demonstrate that the struggle for social justice, transparency and genuine democratic participation remains necessary and possible.

I grew up in a neighbourhood where many people from the MENA region live. Even as a child, it was clear to me that this could not be pure coincidence. During my youth, I realised that many conflicts in countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen are strongly influenced by economic interests and external interventions, often involving Western actors. This is also underlined by the Chatham House report (Eaton & Mansour, 2019), which emphasises that “policymakers should develop incentives for peaceful cooperation rather than relying solely on enforcement mechanisms” (p. 8). This highlights that previous political decisions often relied heavily on coercion or military intervention. Control over oil, gas, and other resources has driven wars and sustained violence. Viewed in this context, it becomes clear why the geographical concentration of refugees and migrants from the region is not coincidental, even though it is often still portrayed as such rather than as a consequence of political decisions, including those in the EU.

Debunking the myth that renewables are more expensive

Translation: Commentary on the energy transition - The lie of cheap green electricity

Bild, probably Germany's largest daily newspaper, is spreading the false claim that green electricity is expensive. In fact, according to the ‘Levelized Cost of Electricity 2024’ study of the Frauenhofer, wind and solar power are significantly cheaper than conventional electricity. The article also draws a comparison with nuclear energy and suggests that it would be cheaper then renewables.  Such misinformation distorts public debate and influences the political agenda. If society is given an inaccurate picture of costs, the expansion of renewable energies will be evaluated differently and, in the worst case, climate policy will be unnecessarily delayed. Democracy thrives on fact-based discourse. Misinformation in an influential newspaper undermines this foundation. The media therefore has a responsibility to report accurately, enabling the energy transition to be discussed on a verifiable basis and ensuring that public opinion remains objective.