HEC in the press

In an article on how Europe could seize frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, CNBC reports that President Donald Trump’s withdrawal of U.S. military support has prompted European leaders to explore new funding options. Armin Steinbach, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, notes that while seizing these assets would be morally compelling, legal hurdles under international law remain significant.

In an op-ed published in Die Zeit on Germany’s constitutional debt brake, law professor at HEC Paris Business School Armin Steinbach criticizes the outgoing Bundestag’s attempt to amend the constitution before the new parliament takes office. He argues that using the old majority to push through fiscal changes undermines democratic legitimacy and could ultimately benefit the far-right AfD, highlighting concerns over political maneuvering in Germany’s legislative process.

In an article covering the latest “Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs”, in which HEC Paris’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institut appears at the 4th position, Sifted highlights the shcool's strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing its support for startups through its incubator at Station F and its extensive network of alumni and investors, which reinforces its role as a key player in Europe’s innovation landscape.

In an article on how European firms are adjusting their diversity and inclusion (DEI) strategies, Bloomberg highlights a decline in DEI mentions during earnings calls of major European companies. This shift aligns with a broader backlash in the U.S., driven by President Donald Trump’s executive orders pressuring firms to dismantle DEI commitments. Matteo Winkler, associate professor at HEC Paris, explains that European companies may be downplaying DEI efforts to avoid losing U.S. government contracts, illustrating the transatlantic influence on corporate policies.

Alberto Alemanno, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, warns in an op-ed published in Project Syndicate that the European Commission’s deregulation push, led by Ursula von der Leyen, threatens legal certainty and EU competitiveness. The proposed Omnibus Simplification Package could dismantle key regulations, undermining green investments and the EU’s global influence.

As the AI Summit is about to start, HEC Paris professor Yann Algan highlights in an op-ed for Forbes AI’s ability to bolster or threaten democracy, urging business leaders to act responsibly.

In an interview for Financial Times, Armin Steinbach, law professor at HEC Paris Business School, discusses Friedrich Merz’s Agenda 2030, which aims to cut corporate taxes, reduce bureaucracy, and boost investment in R&D to revitalize Germany’s economy. He notes that the plan resonates with businesses but faces significant hurdles, including the constitutional debt brake and a fragmented Bundestag that complicates major economic reforms.

As ESG-linked pay among executives rises, professor at HEC Paris Business School Matthias Efing warns in an op-ed for Forbes of symbolic metrics over real impact, urging firms to make substantial commitments.

In an interview for Forbes, François Gemenne, professor at HEC Paris Business School and lead author of the IPCC’s sixth assessment report, argues that the EU should strengthen its green agenda rather than weaken it in response to U.S. policy shifts under President Trump. He emphasizes that Europe’s competitiveness relies on cheap and abundant energy, advocating for greater investment in renewables to reduce costs and enhance energy security.

In an interview for The Financial Times, law professor at HEC Paris Business School Armin Steinbach analyzes Friedrich Merz’s strategy of aligning with far-right votes to push migration policies, warning it risks legitimizing the AfD rather than weakening it.