Views on Europe's future

Youth organisations want ‘more than just a seat in the room’ in talks on Europe’s future

European youth should participate in political discussions, specifically on reforming democratic processes and not just on traditional topics like education, European Youth Forum President Silja Markkula told EURACTIV.

Bring the Erasmus Generation to the Conference on the Future of Europe

The Erasmus Generation has mostly remained behind the scenes within NGOs, multinationals, and public administration. It is time for them to take on more political responsibilities and use their hands-on understanding of Europe, writes João Pinto.

EU to fight ‘geography of discontent’ with new vision for rural areas

The European Commission unveiled on Wednesday (30 June) its long-term vision for the EU's rural areas, proposing a rural pact and a rural action plan aimed at making those regions stronger, connected, and prosperous.

A global Europe in action

The Conference on the Future of Europe can catalyse much-needed reflection on how to revamp the EU’s external action. But, most importantly, if the EU wants to secure its position as a top-tier geopolitical player, it should overcome self-doubt and learn by doing, writes Javier Solana.

Hungary may see takeovers of last free media, experts warn

Recent reports have confirmed the negative trend for media freedom in Hungary but also pointed to Budapest's negative impact on press freedom in neighbouring countries. On World Press Freedom Day (3 May), EURACTIV talked to two of the main experts on Hungarian media.

EU institutions launch online platform of Conference on the Future of Europe

Top EU officials launched on Monday (19 April) a multilingual digital platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe, a year-long democracy exercise meant to involve Europeans in shaping the future direction of the bloc.

Coexistence of different agri models is key for pandemic recovery, says MEP

In light of the difficult political context Europe is facing, with COVID-19, Brexit, US tariffs, and trade tensions, more thought should be put into different models of agriculture to address future challenges, the right-wing MEP Mazaly Aguilar (ECR) told EURACTIV in an interview.

Can reform and refocus save ‘brain dead’ NATO?

NATO’s new reform report presented this week has drawn up recommendations on how the military alliance should tackle new challenges in its backyard. EURACTIV spoke to experts about the report and the next steps. “We proposed changes to mitigate eventual...

COVID-19 is putting Italy’s populists to bed

In political terms, the biggest casualty of COVID-19 in Italy are the country’s populists. Being anti-vax and anti-EU no longer works when the country needs both to exit the crisis. They will change their rhetoric – but lose their punch in the process, writes Elettra Ardissino.  

Media plurality in Europe

Smaller independent media are struggling to survive in the wake of COVID-19. The EU should do more to protect media plurality, money needs to go to the support of the media sector, without the risk that those outlets end up being forced to take a specific message or narrative, writes Dace Melbarde.

Rule of law warriors are not promoting European values, they’re pushing a political agenda

The idea of a rule of law mechanism in the EU is hopelessly half-baked. Rule of law warriors are unable to define or measure what they mean, they are simply waging an ideological battle, argues Zoltán Kovács.

The EU in a changing Middle East: A lone bystander or positive player?

While the European Union is struggling to stay relevant with its self-proclaimed ‘geopolitical Commission’, the United States in the Middle East is at the forefront of geopolitical shifts with its visionary leadership, writes Charlie Weimers. Charlie Weimers is a Swedish member...

Can the EU avoid further clashes with the German Constitutional Court?

The row between the European Court of Justice and Germany’s Constitutional Court calls for a solution to be found to solve future clashes. José Luís da Cruz Vilaça proposes setting up an alert mechanism, similar to the one available to national parliaments.  

Farm to Fork Strategy: A partial response to our farmers’ needs

The European Commission's Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy has pleased environmentalists, but that is not enough - we have to look at the big picture and address its economic and social impact as well, writes Hermann Tertsch.

We must not forget the legacy of Srebrenica

This week we mark 25 years since the Srebrenica genocide carried out against the Bosnian people during the break-up of Yugoslavia. On 11 July, 1995, Bosnian Serb forces led by General Ratko Mladic and Serbian paramilitary units systematically massacred 8,372 men and boys: each one a mother’s son, a father, husband or loved one, to those left behind. It must not be forgotten, writes Anna Fotyga.

Western democracy is still advancing: Just look at Georgia

For every Hong Kong, with all the difficulties played out in the global media, there is a Georgia where the slow advance and entrenchment of liberal democracy is often barely witnessed beyond the Western Embassies in Tbilisi, argues Andrew Rosindell....