Future EU

To protect our freedoms, we need stronger, better government
Liberal European governments need to act to quickly the reform the structural flaws that allow illiberalism and extremism to thrive, writes Dita Charanzová.
European politicians want citizen panels to be used at EU level
The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) ended on Monday (9 May), but a group of politicians want citizens' forums that were at its heart to become a permanent practice at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Scholz and Macron to reignite Franco-German engine on EU-integration
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to intensify the Franco-German tandem and to lead Europe on a path of reform to enable a stronger and more sovereign EU.
Now is the time to be ambitious and audacious with the EU’s future
Europe Day is supposed to mark the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE). One year of deliberations, debates and discussions brought together citizens, regional, national and European politicians, EU institutions, organised civil society and social partners, to build a common trajectory for the EU's future, writes Petros Fassoulas.
Macron teases alternative to EU enlargement
French president Emmanuel Macron on Monday (9 May) pitched a proposal for a new "political European community" that would allow Ukraine and others currently outside of the EU framework to be more closely involved with the EU.
Von der Leyen hints at support for EU treaty change
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hinted that she might support changes to EU treaties, should it be necessary to implement the recommendations of citizen panels from the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE).
A third of EU countries oppose changing bloc’s treaties
One in three EU countries oppose launching a procedure promoted by the European Parliament to change the bloc's treaties, according to a joint document seen Monday (9 May) by journalists.
Germany calls for Western Balkan enlargement, abolition of unanimity
Germany wants to use the Conference on the Future of Europe as a starting point to further develop the EU, possibly change treaties and abolish unanimity decision-making for EU foreign policy matters.
Ukraine war puts EU ‘at crossroads’ on anniversary
As the EU poises to mark its anniversary on Monday (9 May), it is morphing into a more muscular global actor, a transformation accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Commitment to European project takes center stage at CoFoE Spain
A sense of commitment to the European project was the main theme in proposals presented at the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) forum on Friday (6 May), organized by Spain’s EFE news agency in collaboration...
MEPs support treaty changes to reform EU
Members of European Parliament passed a resolution on Wednesday (4 May) supporting the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe and changing EU treaties to facilitate the implementation of citizens' proposals.
Hijacked Europe: downward spiral or return to the roots
The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) has done little to bring the EU closer to its citizens and is solely concerned with increasing the EU's competences, writes Janusz Saryusz-Wolski.OpinionPromoted content

All good things come in … four? Why the new draft on the European electoral act should be supported
Next week, the European Parliament (EP) will vote on a new European Electoral Law. It is likely to be a historic vote, as unlike the previous three attempts (1998, 2011 and 2018), this time the EP might actually decide in favour of the introduction of transnational lists and a more harmonised European electoral law.InterviewPromoted content

Citizens must be at the forefront of the CoFoE follow-up
Citizens must be actively involved in the process of implementing the CoFoE proposals, according to Antonis Kourras, member of the Conference Citizens’ Panels.
War in Ukraine highlights need for EU reform with citizen participation
As Russia's war in Ukraine rages on, the need to reform the EU and take citizens' voices into account has become more apparent, according to politicians involved in the Conference on the Future of Europe.OpinionPromoted content

Time for the United States of Europe!
We European citizens are scared by the return of war at the heart of Europe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine exposes the weaknesses and dependencies of the European Union and its member states, and their inability to project peace and...
Macron on the lookout for France’s first ‘climate’ prime minister
Re-elected President Emmanuel Macron will, as promised, soon name his new Prime Minister in charge of "ecological planning", though with the legislative election just around the corner, the cards could soon be reshuffled. EURACTIV France reports.
ANALYSIS-Win or lose, Le Pen’s nationalism is already changing Europe
‘Frexit’ may be off the menu offered by Marine Le Pen ahead of Sunday’s crucial presidential run-off against incumbent Emmanuel Macron but the threat of a seismic shift to France’s position in Europe looms large ahead of polling day.OpinionPromoted content

Cross-border regions suffering from the health crisis
The unilateral closing of the border between France and Germany from March to June 2020, decided by the German government without any consultation with the French regional and national authorities, has been experienced as a traumatic moment, amplified by the mistrust and hostility that has developed among citizens on both sides of the border.
Le Pen’s U-turn on EU policy is proving difficult to sell
France's far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen insists she wants to remain in the EU and "deeply" reform it despite accusations that her programme is just a veiled "Frexit". EURACTIV France reports.
Czech expert: EU treaty change unlikely after Conference on the Future of Europe
The Conference on the Future of Europe will not lead to changes in the EU’s treaties because there is no consensus among member states for this, a Czech expert told EURACTIV.cz. The conference is a unique exercise allowing European citizens...
Over 10% of citizen proposals on EU’s future require treaty changes, expert says
Twelve per cent of European citizens’ proposals as a part of the conference on the Future of Europe require a treaty change if they are to be implemented, according to an EU law expert.
Le Pen’s softened stance on Frexit is just talk
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has softened her stance on France's possible exit from the EU but her programme for the country, if elected, suggests otherwise.OpinionPromoted content
