EU Priorities 2020
Portuguese PM: Time to deliver a fair, green, digital recovery
After a year scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese presidency will seek to deliver on a Europe-wide vaccination plan and the National Recovery and Resilience Plans, writes António Costa.
After one year of the ‘geopolitical’ Commission it’s time to get real
Last year Ursula von der Leyen promised to lead a 'geopolitical' Commission. It's time to get real on putting that into practice, argue Nicole Koenig and Nils Redeker.
A stronger Commission is not the same as a stronger Europe
It is a dangerous myth to believe that maximising the role of the European Commission is synonymous with a stronger, wealthier Europe, writes Gunnar Hökmark.
Ciolos: We need strong majority for a ‘Renewed’ Europe
For the first time, the centre-right EPP and the Socialists no longer have a working majority on their own in the European Parliament. This new reality alone is a chance for change in Europe, writes Dacian Cioloș who will host a pre-EU summit meeting today of European centrist and liberal parties.
European Green Deal calls for a green EU budget
Torn between the cuts caused by Brexit and the investments that the European Green Deal requires, negotiations over the next EU budget after 2020 are getting tough. The EU must not, however, pass on the challenge and use 40% of its funds to support climate action, writes Markus Trilling.
Putting values at the heart of the EU presidency
The goals of the new Finnish EU Presidency include a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable EU, the same priorities as its domestic agenda, writes Kaisa Penny.
Climate change – A people’s case
A Saami reindeer herder in Sweden's Arctic Circle and a livestock farmer in the Romanian Carpathians are both living proof that climate change is impacting Europe's water resources and endangering our fundamental rights, write a cross-party group of MEPs.
Time to give up sacred EU budget cows
As EU member states debate the bloc’s next 7-year budget, no sector should be off-limits. Annika Hedberg argues that each euro spent should provide added value for the EU and its citizens, including the agricultural sector, a major recipient of EU money.
Electrifying Europe to win over populists
Some years ago, Europhobes were a few solitary but loud people who said they wanted to wipe out the European Union. Things have changed: now they are many more and became more ambiguous about their wishes, writes Beatriz Becerra.
Europe’s political mainstream must try to tame the far right
Far right parties are here to stay and, if unchecked, they will continue growing. The way to halt this process – risky as it may seem - is for the mainstream to try to tame them, argues Harry Nedelcu.
Defuse this explosive migration summit with a strategic EU study
If ever an EU summit seemed doomed, it's this week's immigration showdown. Governments like to imply that the 'migrant crisis' is at an end but in truth, it's just starting, and Europe needs a strategy and a common EU-wide approach, writes Gilles Merritt.
Time to adopt the Equal Treatment Directive
According to a 2015 Eurobarometer survey, around 12% of people in Europe consider themselves at risk of discrimination. In fact, any person in Europe could potentially fall victim to this injustice, write Birgit Van Hout and Tena Šimonović Einwalter.
Redefining the elements for successful integration
Migration is here to stay. Acknowledging voting rights and political participation of migrants are necessary aspects of a democratic society, writes Yves Leterme.
Ending child poverty requires financial backing
When one in four children in the EU is growing up at risk of poverty and social exclusion, investing in children is an economic necessity as much as a moral imperative, writes Jana Hainsworth.
Democracy: Making more voices count
Let’s involve more people in decision making and inspire all levels of government, be they local, national or European, to put people first, writes Anna Lisa Boni.
Strengthening workers’ voice, legal certainty for future Social Europe
A vital social democracy will play a decisive role in shaping the future of the European Union. The goal of a united Europe, contractually agreed by all EU member states, is to promote participatory democracy, writes Norbert Kluge.
Time to invest in Europe’s water infrastructure
Europe’s water infrastructure is ageing in all EU member states. The European Commission is at a pivotal moment and should decide to invest during the next MFF (2021-2027) to reap the health and environmental benefits, and to save money in the long term, writes Klara Ramm.
Five steps for a climate-friendly EU Budget
The EU’s next Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) must reflect the commitment the EU has made to decarbonise its economy, in line with the aims of the Paris Agreement. Strong overall coherence to ensure that funds are spent in targeted and intelligent ways is the key to its success, writes Jonathan Gaventa.
The European budget talks: Financial threat to a global Europe
Although talks on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) might appear dull on the surface, we should force ourselves to take notice of them and emphasise the long-term importance of the external tranche of the budget, writes Susi Dennison.
It’s time for an EU fund for fundamental rights!
Fundamental rights and values are currently under attack across the European Union. In order to work in these aggravated conditions, funding is often key, writes Terry Reintke.
Tackling Fake News: To be continued
Fake news has been blamed for the election of Trump, the Brexit vote and the rise of populist parties in Europe. A High Level Expert Group (HLEG) on fake news has been set up by the European Commission to suggest how to address the problem. Žiga Turk, one of the members, shares his comments on their Final Report, released earlier today (March 12).
Why the EU’s first post-Brexit budget must prioritise investment in climate action
Reflecting on the next EU budget post-Brexit, Eliot Whittington explains why now is the time for the EU to show leadership and unity to drive climate action and make a net-zero carbon economy the new normal.
If no one is above the law, let’s talk about corporate accountability
Our governments can no longer turn a blind eye when irresponsible companies are involved in human rights violations abroad, write Lydia de Leeuw and Anne van Schaik.