About: European democracy

Citizens and sustainable development are big losers in EU’s next research programme

The Commission has unveiled its proposal for Horizon Europe 2020 and this comes at a critical time for the EU. But there needs to be close monitoring of the research agenda set, as current proposals could have dire consequences for democracy and sustainable development, writes Jill McArdle

Why transnational lists are not a good idea

The Parliament and Council are set to decide on what to do with the 73 seats currently held by British MEPs. However, leaning towards transnational lists is not the answer because it is un-European and undemocratic, writes Gunnar Hökmark.

European elections: national lists, European parties?

Pro-European circles generally believe that only transnational lists can make elections to the European Parliament more European. But the proposal is unlikely ever to be accepted by the Council. Pierre Jouvenat considers an alternative.

We must tackle this unprecedented European crisis

It would be a mistake to keep pretending that Europe will emerge stronger from the latest round of the Greek crisis, or to ignore that all the shouting at Athens, and the shouting back at Germany, sets the scene for the “NO camp” to win other referendums, too. There is only one positive decision to take, argues Diogo Pinto.

The case for common rules for EU democracy

The initiative of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs to reform the outdated European electoral law is a positive move. A reform of the European electoral system and the rules governing the European parties is necessary to strengthen the link between the European parties and the European public, writes Bernd Hüttemann.

Fixing Europe’s Orbán problem

Viktor Orbán recently revealed his ultimate objective to build an “illiberal state” on “national foundations”. One might expect European conservatives, in particular, to react strongly to Orbán’s actions, but they continue to treat Orbán with kid gloves, write Thorsten Benner and Wolfgang H. Reinicke.