Philippe Legrain
Philippe Legrain
@plegrain.bsky.social
Senior visiting fellow at LSE's European Institute; Founder, Open Political Economy Network (OPEN) think tank. Author of 5 books, commentator, researcher, dog owner

I write a Substack at https://philippelegrain.substack.com/
My latest column for @BrusselsTimes analyses the EU's 4 big weaknesses and sets out what it needs to do to become a superpower.

www.brusselstimes.com/column/18342...
Why the EU isn’t a superpower yet
The EU has four big weaknesses that prevent it standing up to superpowers such as the US and China.
www.brusselstimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Philippe Legrain
July 16, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Agreed. He often makes me question my views
June 7, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Done right, eg @bruegel.bsky.social‬ EDM proposal, this could also help streamline military procurement, better integrate Europe’s fighting forces and provide a much-needed lift to Europe’s struggling economies.

Read my latest Substack essay for more.

philippelegrain.substack.com/p/europe-nee...
Europe needs to rearm much faster
How to overcome the three constraints: fiscal rules, financial borrowing power and political feasibility
philippelegrain.substack.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
The best way forward is for a coalition of willing governments, both EU and non-EU (eg UK), to borrow collectively.

As investors seek alternatives to dollar assets, there's huge appetite for safe, euro-denominated bonds...
June 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
But three big constraints

1. fiscal rules (now OK in the #EU, not in the #UK)

2. financial borrowing power (fine for #Germany, less so for #France and UK)

3. political feasibility (OK for Germany & France, less so for UK; #Hungary veto at EU level)..
June 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Three immediate priorities:

1. defend #Ukraine

2. deter #Putin

3. reduce dependence on #Trump

While this will eventually require tax rises and/or spending cuts, the best way to fund a big emergency boost to defence spending is by borrowing more for a few years...
June 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
There's a v big difference between US and UK/EU DEI. US used to allow/encourage positive discrimination in favour of members of disadvantaged minorities. The EU's Race Equality Directive doesn't. It permits only positive action to help members of disadvantaged groups achieve equality of opportunity
June 2, 2025 at 7:17 AM