Concerns over presidency R&D agenda

University leaders worried over priorities and focus of France’s Council of the EU leadership

University leaders have expressed concerns about France’s turn leading the EU activities of the bloc’s member state governments, with fears over its research priorities and worries that national politics could derail its presidency of the Council of the EU.

The nation’s size and status will give it a big sway over the European agenda in its January-to-June stint at coordinating the Council. Its leaders say they want to push innovation and promote its links with research and education (see P9), but sector leaders fear it will prioritise problematic policies and that work on crucial topics such as the European Research Area will not make enough progress.