December 2010

Political Trends and Priorities 2011-2012

The present paper provides an ex ante analysis of political trends and priorities in 2011 and 2012. The paper begins with a reflection on the major long-term political and economic trends, which are likely to set the overall internal and external framework in which the EU will operate in the years to come. Subsequently, the paper identifies a number of major priorities for 2011/2012 on the basis of key trends, which are expected to determine the Union's agenda in the years ahead. Three broad areas of concern are subject to the analysis: Europe's political economy, Europe's role in the world and the quality of EU governance following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. This part of the paper is followed by an examination of the likelihood of changes to the EU's emerging agenda, taking into account risks and uncertainties which could fundamentally change the agenda.

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