Future EU

EPP chief: Greens in new ‘pro-Europe’ coalition could find EU reforms problematic

Germany's new three-party government will have to back key EU reforms even if these do not align with its values. According to EPP chairman Manfred Weber, the issue of arms exports, in particular, will likely be controversial. EURACTIV Germany reports.

‘The EU’, too, was once a utopia

Unfortunately, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen, as under her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker, has failed to reach the people of the European Union.

Democracy expert: CoFoE at risk of being PR exercise

The Conference for the Future of Europe is well underway. Still, concerns have been raised from the get-go that citizens' proposals might not be taken seriously or implemented fully by European lawmakers for various reasons.

CoFoE panels call for environmental education and migrant rights

Environmental education in EU schools and the migration crisis were high on the agenda of proposals suggested by citizens in the last two panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

France welcomes Germany’s new ‘pro-European’ coalition agreement

The coalition deal struck between three parties that will form Germany's next government is very much in line with France's own ambitions and priorities, including its vision of a more federal EU. EURACTIV France reports.

CoFoE: Participants numbers are encouraging but member states should do more

Organisers of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) are “encouraged by the number of visits to the platform and endorsements”, a spokesperson for the conference told EURACTIV. This comes following concerns from some participants that the event was not getting enough attention.

The future of Europe jeopardised by inaction of ‘pro-Europeans’

The Conference on the Future of Europe is underway but there is a great risk that it will turn out to be a lost opportunity. This is due mainly to the inaction of “pro-European” governments and parties and the European institutions, writes Roberto Castaldi.

How the Conference on the Future of Europe can still be saved

The Conference on the future of Europe is faltering, but EU institutions and member states can still save it. And they should, as it could be a key tool to re-engage the citizens, writes Nicoletta Pirozzi.

EU quells fears over lack of media interest in CoFoE

Despite participants fears that the Conference on the Future of Europe is not making headlines and therefore might not be as impactful as hoped, the Commission has reassured them that the media is listening and their voices will be heard.

We can strengthen European democracy by giving the European Parliament more powers

The past year’s crisis underscored the need for a more united Europe. We must seize this opportunity to make the Conference on the Future of Europe a true forum with citizens to work together to achieve a more sovereign and democratic Europe, says UEF President and Renew MEP Sandro Gozi.

How to prevent Europe from stalling

National elections just passed in Germany and upcoming in France deprive Europe of political leadership. But there is an electoral solution that could solve this problem, writes Matteo Garavoglia.

Why the Commission should ignore Poland’s ‘false compromise’

If the European Commission bends to Polish government pressure it will not fix the rule of law crisis but deepen it, argue Tineke Strik and Thijs Reuten.

Future of Europe Conference insufficiently fills EU political vacuum

The great expectations some have for the ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, and the little that is known about it, weigh heavily on it, writes Christian Moos.

Middelaar: Pandemic exposed Europe’s geopolitical vulnerabilities

The COVID-19 pandemic was much more than a health crisis for Europe, which means it needs to transform from rule-political machinery to a political body able to deal with unexpected events, political philosopher and historian Luuk van Middelaar told EURACTIV.

The EU has much to learn about how to engage its citizens

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a brilliant idea to give citizens voice in European decision making. However, the politicians involved just do not know how to engage with them, writes Kaspar Schultz.

The Brief, powered by Facebook — What the people want (or not)

Sharp-tongued critics will be quick to point out that the majority of delegates at the Conference on the Future of Europe plenary last weekend consisted of representatives from the European institutions (165) and national parliaments (108).

The Brief, powered by Facebook — The conciliator–in–chief  

It is hard to dispute that Angela Merkel stands out as Europe’s pre-eminent leader of the 21^st century. In truth, this is less impressive than it sounds because the competition has scarcely been fierce. Just look at the other major European players.

The Brief, powered by EPRA — Laying down the law

To its critics, the European Union is an all–powerful bully. In reality, the European Commission often gives the impression that it couldn’t fight its way out of a paper bag.

AS IT HAPPENED: EU leaders make meagre progress on energy, migration, Poland

Leaders of the EU-27 came together on 21-22 October for a summit dominated by a debate about Poland, whose increasingly defiant stance on rule of law and the role of Brussels has challenged the fundamentals of EU order and put the bloc to a serious test.

The Brief, powered by EPRA — How likely is Polexit?

"Polexit is fake news," Polish leaders Mateusz Morawiecki and Jarosław Kaczyński are saying in unison. Their party, the not-so-aptly named Law and Justice (PiS), has even adopted a position supporting EU membership.

Slovenian PM’s ‘Soros puppets’ tweet causes EU-wide political storm

Prime Minister Janez Janša is facing criticism after tweeting that some MEPs are “Soros puppets”. The MEP's under attack included Sophie in ‘t Veld.

Time for some perspective: The Polish court was not controversial

Despite the outcry among liberal elites following last week's Polish court ruling, the EU treaties clearly set out the boundaries between national constitutions and EU law. It's time for some perspective, writes Judit Varga.

The Brief, powered by GIE — 57 billion reasons to avoid Polexit

In politics, it’s always a good idea to get others to do your dirty work. For Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, by challenging the principle of the primacy of EU law, one of the main building blocks of the Union, his national Constitutional Tribunal has earned its corn and landed a major blow for Eurosceptics.