The US are no longer a reliable partner, neither in security matters nor in the economic realm. The EU is trying to find its way under massive pressure to ramp up its capacity to (re)act. In this context, ideas of building coalitions of the willing have resurfaced to break deadlocks and to make progress in a number of key areas – also to make sure partners like the UK or Norway are on board.

But can such coalitions really deliver better results? In which areas are they conceivable, and how would they work? And what are the risks involved, both for the achievement of policy objectives and for the way the EU works as a whole?

We invite you to a sharp, forward-looking conversation on Europe’s next moves.

Can Coalitions of the Willing Save Europe?

Bertelsmann Stiftung, Werderscher Markt 6, 10117 Berlin

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

18:30 – 20:00 CET, followed by a light reception

With:

  1. Daniela Schwarzer, Member of the Executive Board, Bertelsmann Stiftung
  2. Andrea Römmele, Dean of Executive Education and Professor of Communication in Politics and Civil Society, Hertie School
  3. Goran Buldioski, Senior Fellow, Office of the President, Hertie School
  4. Rosa Balfour, Director, Carnegie Europe (UK/Belgium)
  5. Leszek Jażdżewski, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Liberté! (Poland)

Moderator: Lucas Guttenberg, Director, Europe’s Future Programme, Bertelsmann Stiftung

In order to register, please be in touch with Kamila Montarsi at kamila.montarsi@bertelsmann-stiftung.de

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