The Monocle Minute

The European Union traces its roots back to the European Coal and Steel Community, which was established in 1952 to integrate the continent’s industries. It was led by France and what was then West Germany, and the neighbouring nations have been the powerhouses of the European project ever since. But 2025 could see their dominance upended as both countries deal with destabilising political problems at home.

France is struggling to digest the fallout from last summer’s snap election. After protracted discussions, former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier emerged as the country’s centre-right prime minister. But it was just three months before he lost a vote of confidence. Given the polarised populace, his successor, centrist François Bayrou, has a lot to prove despite his pragmatic record.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron – a president who was lauded as a European statesman when he stepped into the void left by Angela Merkel’s departure from the German chancellorship – has become a lame duck. He is a leader in decline who has seen his coalition’s seats reduce as the far left and far right surge around him. Many have called for him to stand down before the official end of his second presidential mandate in 2027.

Germany hasn’t fared much better. It is divided over sending arms to Ukraine and reeling from Olaf Scholz’s weak leadership. The chancellor has failed to keep a coalition together and, like Barnier, lost a vote of confidence that has paved the way for fresh elections in February.

It is the worst possible time for the EU’s two most important governments to fail to function. The US’s incoming president, Donald Trump, has made no secret of his contempt for the bloc, which badly needs the US for trade and investment partnerships. The big question is who might step into the power vacuum left by France and Germany? Oddly, Italy’s far-right leader, Giorgia Meloni, could play the role of broker. She and Trump are close on immigration and “family values” but, despite her past cynicism, Meloni has come out in favour of the EU. One media outlet has even labelled her the most powerful person in Europe – a dubious claim. She isn’t the answer to all the EU’s problems. But in 2025, more than ever, Europe will need a strong figure to step up and lead.

Ed Stocker is Monocle’s Europe editor at large. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

Those who want to buy a set of skis this winter have plenty of options to choose from. While most companies focus their research on developing a cutting edge, one Finnish firm is going against the grain. Founded in 2016, Pusu, which specialises in traditional wooden skis, has grown from a garage-based start-up to a company that makes as many as 800 pairs a year.

“Wooden skis are still the best when it comes to quality,” says Pusu CEO and co-founder Jani Ahvenainen. “They might be heavy but they bend just right.” The brand makes seven models of wooden skis for on-piste, free skiing and touring. Every ski is handmade in the company's atelier in the central Finnish village of Laukaa and, because of the natural characteristics of wood, each pair is a unique piece of art.

Pusu is one of the few wooden-ski makers left in the world but this craft is well established in Finland. “Records show that people have been making wooden skis here for more than 5,000 years,” says Ahvenainen. “We are proud to continue that tradition.”

For more on Pusu and other wintry businesses, pick up a copy of Monocle’s seasonal newspaper,‘Alpino’, which is available now.

After managing a rap artist for six years, Mag Rodriguez launched Even, an app that allows artists to interact with their followers in a more meaningful way. Most musicians make little money from services such as Spotify: the average revenue per stream is about a third of a cent. Even seeks to address the issue by offering creators a “direct-to-fan” model.

“I tell people to think of it like a cinema,” says Rodriguez. “Artists release their album on the app seven to 30 days before it’s officially out everywhere else.” They can also encourage fans to buy their music by giving out rewards such as backstage passes. The platform also has community-building potential. Fans of one of Even’s artists recently planned to meet up before a gig, leading the musician to join unexpectedly. For Rodriguez, Even isn’t just about earnings – it’s about forging authentic bonds in an industry dominated by fleeting digital metrics.

To learn more about Even and who to look out for next year in the music industry, pick up a copy of Monocle’s bumperDecember/January issue.

Tucked away on a single-track road at an altitude of 1,200 metres, Préfleuri isn’t your average Swiss boarding school. Deer and foxes roam the campus, which hosts a mixed cohort of 85 children aged between three and 13.

There are as many as 16 nationalities, from Russian and Japanese to South African, Dutch and Portuguese. Originally founded in 1948 as a children’s holiday camp, Préfleuri evolved into a year-round school under Ducas’s leadership. Its prestigious academic standards are compatible with the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge and Delf exams.

And its bilingual French-English approach attracts families seeking flexibility and cultural immersion, especially from Asia. “Some children arrive here speaking neither language but their language skills develop quickly,” says Ducas. But that isn’t Préfleuri’s only benefit. “Nurturing children in Switzerland’s democratic political system can have a defining effect on their lives,” she adds.

For more on Préfleuri, pick up a copy of Monocle’s seasonal newspaper,‘Alpino’.

Studio Galazio is challenging traditional stereotypes about Greece through regional storytelling positioned for an international audience. Monocle heads to Mykonos for a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s first full-length feature film and to find out what goes into building the country’s cinematic identity.

To read the full article, pick up a copy of‘The Monocle Forecast’, which is out now.

Wondering what your next venture might hold? Looking for inspiration? Or hoping to pick up some secrets to success for the coming year? Monocle: The Entrepreneurs has landed, offering a wealth of stories and advice from the world’s leading business minds. Discover Copenhagen’s start-ups and a thriving coastal outpost in Brazil, and read about the rising fortunes of a new Swiss luxury watch brand. Plus: our bumper Austria survey.