Finnish politicians are on average more intelligent, motivated, and honest than the general population. Jaakko Meriläinen, Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics at SSE, and co-authors show in a new study that both local and national politicians demonstrate higher cognitive and non-cognitive abilities, suggesting that voters and parties effectively select capable leaders.

SSE faculty is helping Ukrainian diplomats and civil servants prepare for EU accession talks through hands-on negotiation training in Kyiv. By drawing lessons from past EU enlargement processes, participants practice strategies and develop skills crucial for navigating the complexities of membership discussions.

Academic freedom in the U.S. is under siege, with funding cuts and political interference threatening research. As top scholars look abroad, Sweden has a chance to defend academic independence – and attract world-class talent in the process, SSE President Lars Strannegård argues in an op ed in Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

Sweden is moving toward a fossil-free future, but its electricity market faces significant uncertainties regarding demand, costs, and policy directions. A new report by SITE research fellow Chloé Le Coq and her co-authors highlights that Sweden’s energy transition cannot happen in isolation. Strong European cooperation and robust regulatory frameworks are crucial for ensuring stability and efficiency.

War reshapes societies, but does it make people more cooperative or more divided? A new policy brief from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) explores how exposure to violence affects social trust, cooperation, and political engagement. The findings have important implications for Ukraine’s future, particularly its path toward EU membership.

The Baltic states officially severed their energy ties with Russia and Belarus on February 7, 2025, successfully desynchronizing from the BRELL electricity network without experiencing blackouts. However, recent cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea have raised new energy security concerns, underscoring the need to diversify and decentralize power systems. A new SITE policy brief analyzes the challenges and lessons learned from this transition and compares it to Ukraine’s energy resilience.

Western support for Ukraine is at a crossroads, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. A new policy brief from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), authored by Torbjörn Becker, Maria Perrotta Berlin, Anders Olofsgård, and Jesper Roine, argues that continued aid is not only a moral duty but also an economic necessity for Europe, emphasizing that the cost of allowing Russia to win would far exceed the price of sustained assistance.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sparked an unprecedented wave of solidarity among the Polish society and generous official support from the Polish government. Three years later, both the level of support and attitudes towards Ukrainian refugees in Poland continue to occupy headlines, raising questions about public policies, as well as economic and social impact. These questions will likely gain in prominence, as the electoral campaign ahead of this year’s presidential election enters its crucial stages. A new policy paper explores these issues, challenging misleading claims and highlighting the importance of accurate data.

Sweden has slashed gasoline taxes, making driving more affordable, but experts warn of long-term consequences. A new policy brief from the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) examines how recent fuel tax cuts have lowered prices while increasing household vulnerability to oil price spikes and slowing the shift to electric vehicles.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has intensified the urgency of European Union (EU) enlargement, bringing Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia closer to potential membership. A new policy brief, based on discussions at SITE 2024 Development Day conference, highlights the political, economic, and security challenges these countries face as they seek EU integration​.