The tales you must have learn in 2022

And that is simply skimming the floor. We ended the yr with what might need been the largest corruption case ever for the European Parliament, noticed Hungary and Poland slip additional down the apparently slippery rule-of-law slide, Sweden and Italy vote in far-right events, Frontex migrant abuses uncovered, an unintended enhance for renewables, massive tech taking a beating and actually, an excessive amount of to checklist.

Some a part of me hopes that subsequent yr seems to be barely extra laid again. Give us somewhat time to breathe and replicate on selections revamped the previous few years. However rationally, I do not assume any of us sees that taking place.

Because the Russian battle in opposition to Ukraine attracts out, and financial and financial coverage aimed toward suppressing inflation begin biting common shoppers, tensions over what to do subsequent are all however sure to rise — cash being costly at a time when more cash is required is rarely a recipe for achievement.

These tensions won’t solely be seen in subsequent yr’s nationwide elections (in Czechia, Finland, Spain and Poland, most notably) but in addition within the run-up to the 2024 European Parliament elections, as teams and events gear up for his or her campaigns within the shadow of the Qatar graft scandal.

Although help for supporting Ukraine stays excessive amongst Europeans, I am keen to wager that political events are prepared to use the ‘supporting Ukraine versus supporting companies and households’ dichotomy to separate electorates for electoral achieve. Mark my phrases.

And as inflation stays excessive (and remember, costs do not are inclined to fall — so what we’re paying now’s the brand new norm, even when inflation drops) staff throughout the bloc will demand wages to match as their solely option to keep the usual of dwelling they’re used to. Which is by the way why we’ll be devoting extra consideration in labour protection in Europe subsequent yr.

We’ll additionally proceed our protection of the problems that fall between the cracks of business media and extra national-focused publications, scrutinising EU establishments and coverage on subjects like migration, rule of legislation, overseas coverage and the inexperienced financial system. On prime of that we’ll be doing quite a lot of themed weeks on subjects starting from shifting demographics to house regulation to affect.

So whilst subsequent yr seems to be to be no less than as torrid as this previous one, our entire group and I are wanting ahead to maintain on doing the reporting that issues, uncovering the tales that others would possibly ignore and hopefully, being of service to you, our reader.

Lastly, to cap off the yr, our reporters shared their favorite tales of yr, so that you can peruse at your comfort. And so right here goes, in no explicit order, the tales you shouldn’t have missed this yr:

See you subsequent yr, thanks for studying and, if you happen to can miss it, think about a membership.