Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has forced Europe to confront its shortcomings with regard to providing its own security and to reconsider its reliance on the United States, which may be – under a potential Trump administration – much less supportive. This Forum focuses on what needs to be done now to address Europe’s security concerns and guarantee stability for the foreseeable future. Is meeting NATO spending targets enough to support European defence? What would it take to make Europe more self-sufficient? How does Europe protect itself against malicious cyberattacks? And what role do women specifically play in supporting defence efforts and future reconstruction in Ukraine?

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After decades marked by struggles to combat high unemployment, today’s main challenge is labour market shortages. Since the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and despite the economic slowdown driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU labour markets have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Employment reached a record high in 2022 and the trend is expected to continue. Most companies, in the EU and beyond, are now struggling to fill vacancies. Labour and skill shortages in several sectors are the new problems to overcome. What are the reasons behind these shortages? Are these only temporary issues?

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In June 2024, EU citizens will vote in the European Parliament elections – two years into Russia’s war in Ukraine and on European values, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the finalisation of Brexit, and with the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidential election later this year. In a turbulent geopolitical environment, the European Parliament elections will reshape the political landscape in Brussels, where traditional parties are being challenged and an increasing tilt towards right-wing governance is unmistakable. In the lead-up to the elections, this Forum focuses on some of the issues that will take centre stage for voters and define the next phase of European politics.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that is transforming every aspect of life. It has already started to revolutionise the way we communicate, conduct research, analyse data and streamline labour processes. However, AI also requires understanding and regulation in order to address issues such as algorithmic bias and data access obstacles that will inevitably impact society, governance and the economy. This Forum examines the challenges and opportunities of AI in the EU and beyond.

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The EU has weathered a number of turbulent storms in recent years from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing war in Ukraine. These crises have highlighted the limitations of the EU budget and the need for the flexibility to adequately respond to challenges in real time. They have also raised questions about the legal feasibility of more common debt following a dramatic increase in EU borrowing. What are the obstacles – and the opportunities – for the EU’s public finances in the face of the numerous crises of our time? Is it possible to balance predictability for long-term investments and flexibility to react to unexpected turns of events? This Forum addresses these questions and builds on the discussions at the 2023 joint Intereconomics/CEPS conference.

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