Future EU
The Brief – Imagine… the future of Europe
The EU is planning yet another reflection about its future, this time consulting European citizens. It will take place after Brexit becomes a fact and last about two years. The idea to engage with citizens is good, that’s what democracy...
Polish parliament approves judge ‘muzzle law’, Commission ‘very concerned’
Poland's parliament on Thursday (23 January) approved a controversial draft law aimed at disciplining judges who question government judicial reforms that the European Union says are out of step with the rule of law.
A ‘Conference on the future of EU’, what next? EU elections 2024
For the moment, no one is talking about the ratification of a possible new treaty following the Conference on European Reform. To avoid failure and to engage citizens, the EU's institutions must be made to work according to the principles of representative democracy, and treaty reform must be the central issue at stake in the European elections of 2024, write Giorgio Clarotti, Oliver Costa and Christophe Leclercq.
Future of Europe: What happens if a majority of citizens asks for ‘less Europe’?
“That’s a very interesting question. If there will be a majority of them, we will follow”, Commission Vice President Dubravka Šuica said on Wednesday (22 January), on what would happen if a majority of citizens would ask for “less Europe”.
Budget battle hampers EU in space
With the continuous militarisation of space, EU policymakers have started dropping their opposition to plans linking Europe's civilian space assets with defence elements. But as the political tide is slowly turning, cuts proposed in the EU’s draft budget threaten the new ambition.
The case for a border carbon tax as an own resource to the EU budget
To deliver on the flagship European Green Deal, there is a need to introduce a new source of revenues for the EU budget under the form of carbon tax, writes Ivailo Kalfin.
Czech FM: Visegrad countries will continue to promote EU enlargement
The Visegrad countries will need some time to close the ditches they have dug in recent years, Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček told EURACTIV.cz in an interview. He also voiced doubts about the need for a reform of EU membership negotiations, demanded by France, saying the process is already reversible at any stage.
The Brief, powered by Orgalim – Historical revisionism on steroids
In 2020, Europe will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and of the liberation of German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. But as the commemorations draw closer, we may see the manipulation of history for political ends return with a vengeance.
Parliament kicks off debate on the Future of Europe conference
The European Parliament launched on Wednesday (15 January) the debate on the Future of Europe conference, expected to begin in May, and outlined its position ahead of talks with the Commission and Council.
‘Green’ alert: environmental risks top Davos report
For the first time in the 15-year history of the Davos risk report, the top five global risks are all environmental, according to the latest survey published on Wednesday (15 January) ahead of the World Economic Forum next week.
Guy Verhofstadt ready to chair citizen consultations on Europe’s future
From May onwards, hundreds of EU citizens will be invited to reflect on Europe's future at a conference that will debate European policy priorities in an attempt to introduce direct democracy in EU decision-making. EURACTIV France reports.
The Brief, powered by MPE – A conference for what?
By the end of this year, member states must reach an agreement against the clock on a long-term budget to finance their bold priorities for this decade, and seal a deal with the UK on their future relationship. On top...
Fidesz-PiS talks point towards potential exit from EPP
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Poland's ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) in Warsaw on Tuesday (8 January) amid growing speculation that his Fidesz party plans to leave the EPP.
Commission President to attend Davos gathering
The European Commission will be represented by its President at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland) towards the end of January, signalling the closer ties Ursula von der Leyen has with the exclusive gathering, compared with her predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker.
The Brief, powered by MPE -Time for EU socialists to leave behind ‘dinosaur era’
The Party of European Socialists (PES), the EU's second-largest political family, usually holds its Congress after the EU elections in autumn. However, currently, there are only rumours that it’s going to take place at some point in spring.
Government’s handling of pension strikes threatens France’s EU credibility
The French government continues to defend its pension reform proposal initially recommended by the European executive. Although it has since been watered down, its divisiveness has led to the paralysis of the transport system for almost a month. EURACTIV France reports.
The Brief, powered by Eurogas – Christmas dinner politics
We’ve all been there, looking forward to the ‘perfect’ Christmas with faultless food (and too much of it), flowing conversation, and gifts that are going to be spot on. Just imagine: the fire crackles in the fireplace and you peacefully...
‘Free Courts’ activists: Poland makes another big step towards Polexit
The Free Courts initiative is the last barricade that keeps the ruling PiS party from acquiring the absolute power in Poland, activists Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram and Michał Wawrykiewicz said in an interview with EURACTIV Poland’s editor-in-chief Karolina Zbytniewska.
De Montchalin: Own resources are key to European budget
France's current discrepancy with Germany does not call into question their relationship, said Amélie de Montchalin, who also stressed that own resources are key for the European budget, while the member states are reluctant to increase their contributions and will have to compromise. EURACTIV France reports.
The Brief, powered by Eurogas – The end of a bruising decade
As the year comes to an end, we tend to write long stories about the murky waters ahead in EU affairs. Given the long list of challenges, some would try find comfort in looking back over this past decade, not because of how far we’ve gone, but because of all the storms that we have weathered.
S&D chief: We hope to cooperate with the Greens on EU legislation
Iratxe García, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), hopes to achieve closer collaboration with the Greens in light of upcoming legislation on the European Green Deal.
Poland could end up leaving the EU, Supreme Court warns
Poland could end up leaving the European Union because of plans by the ruling nationalists that would allow judges to be fired if they question the legitimacy of the government's judicial reforms, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday (17 December).
High geopolitics in the High North: A call for a deeper EU engagement
The Von der Leyen Commission begins its mandate at a time when Arctic geopolitics are at their most important since the Cold War. The EU needs to deepen its engagement in its own Arctic backyard, argue André Gattolin and Damien...