Participatory democracy
The people have not spoken
Citizen assemblies can strengthen citizen participation in the EU, but their importance should not be overstated, writes Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf.
German elections as opportunity for a new beginning in Europe
For years, Berlin has at best administered, mostly stonewalled, when it came to European policy. It is now time for a German government that will throw its full weight behind an active European policy, writes Jamila Schäfer.
Empty words and slogans will not decarbonise Europe
Empty words and slogans will not decarbonise Europe. The EU's leaders must stop paying lipservice to the climate emergency, writes Helena Marschall.
A time to reflect
The European Parliament has begun a much needed reflection process with a view to updating the way that the institution works, writes David Sassoli.
The Robin Hood of Brussels should go away
There are many advantages in the EU becoming more financially independent of the member states, write Jakub Kučera and Lukáš Rejzek.
Will deliberation save democracy in crisis?
European democracy is in urgent need of reinventing itself. Under threat by polarization and disinformation, deliberative democracy could help bring back power to the people, from the hyperlocal to the international political field, write Pepijn Kennis and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye.
Time for the European Commission to shine
The latest successful European Citizens' Initiative, Minority SafePack, is a rare opportunity to take democratic participation seriously, after a number of previous ECis failed to garner enough attention or make an impact on EU legislation, writes Carsten Berg.
After a Decade of EU Pragmatism, It Is Time to Talk About Democracy Again
During the crisis-ridden last decade, the EU has stumbled into a new intergovernmentalism presented as an apparently pragmatic problem-solving approach. But side-lining the European Parliament is not just a problem for the EU’s legitimacy, but also results in negotiation deadlocks...Promoted content
We must protect our civic space so that we can keep our human rights
From health to employment to education, Covid-19 has brought additional challenges regarding access to and enjoyment of human rights. As December 10, International Human Rights Day, draws closer, it’s time to reflect on the state of civic space in Europe,...
A time bomb at the heart of the US presidential elections
Beware of US elections, which may end up with the world’s most powerful nation bogged down in a constitutional crisis, writes Dick Roche. Dick Roche is a former European Affairs minister of Ireland. On 3 November US voters will elect...
Make or break for the ‘pro-Belarusian revolution’
In these difficult times for liberal democracy, the EU has to ensure its credibility more decisively than ever, writes Darya Mustafayeva.
Solidarity is needed on EU citizenship as well as on COVID-19
The response by EU leaders to the COVID-19 crisis suggests that solidarity is on the rise. But what about solidarity between Europe’s own citizens, and the 65 million Britons who face losing their rights to EU citizenship? A group of authors provide their thoughts.
Bring back the spirit of ’89 to forge a new rEUnaissance
30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall it is time to bring back the spirit of '89 to forge a new rEUnaissance, argues Luca Jahier.
No escape from the hostile environment
The UK's offer of settled status to EU citizens may have seemed like a change of tack in its migration policy but there are many causes for anxiety, writes Roger Casale.
Cooperation of four key Commissioners needed for healthy media, democracy
Democracy is at risk and requires healthy media, several portfolios from the new EU Commission are relevant. After years of fake news and weak self-regulation, this ecosystem could be rebalanced if four key Commissioners cooperate around the media sector, argues Christophe Leclercq.
The EU now needs a fully-fledged #EUCitizenCommissioner
We should never forget that democracy is not just about voting: citizens also want their voices heard between elections, write Roger Casale and Verena Ringler.
9 May 2019 and our hour of responsibility
In the face of populism, and in the run-up to the EU elections, European leaders need to explain to the citizens the many good things the European Union has achieved collectively, writes Dimitris Avramopoulos.
How to rectify Georgia’s statehood
It is a well-known Georgian secret, that the billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili runs the country’s affairs through his “Georgian dream” political party, police and judiciary and even some other political parties and most of the mass media, writes Nino Burjanadze.
Georgia remembers its 9 April
On 9 April 1989, Soviet tanks rolled into Tbilisi, and Georgians realised Gorbachev’s regime was just as steeped in blood as that of his predecessors. Thirty years on, Georgia remembers its heroes, writes Natalie Sabanadze.
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.
Six years after Rouhani’s election, moderation is as far away as ever for Iran
EU Governments and Institutions should severe their ties with Iranian businesses and diplomats, pending serious reforms in order to implement human rights and freedoms, writes Julio Terzi.
Trouble ahead as Tunisia eyes elections in autumn
As Tunisians go to the polls later this year to elect a new president and parliament, they are confronted by a confluence of factors that could seriously threaten the viability of their young democracy, writes Dnyanesh Kamat.
With Salome Zurabishvili, Georgia leads the way, again
The new president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, is a worthy member of the small group of women in the club of world heads of state and government, writes Clare Moody.
