In a historic decision on Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany would send several of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and that other countries would also be allowed to export them to the country. While some nations in Europe and beyond have publicly committed to sending tanks to Ukraine, others remain hesitant.
The corruption probe attracts ongoing attention to the EU Parliament, which is trying to restore public trust with a series of reforms. At the same time, criminal investigations continue.
2022 has been a rough year for many. The economy was still recovering from the pandemic and the restrictions that came with it. Russia waged war against Ukraine and the European continent faced high inflation rates. Despite stable unemployment rates in the EU, the situation does not look rosy for young Europeans.
It feels like a déjà vu. In a time when Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, the EU started the year with a meeting to discuss adopting a joint approach given the surge of infections in China after Beijing reversed its strict zero-Covid policies. Talks did not yield a binding result.
Preoccupied by multiple crises, the EU has seen a restless year. Many of the calamities which shook the EU in 2022 will still be around in 2023.
The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was passed in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the public deficit and inflation. EU officials had initially welcomed this as a step in the right direction towards mitigating climate change. However, at the time they overlooked the protectionist aspects of the law.