Our thematic focus this month is entirely on the legal and democratic challenges that the pandemic is posing to our societies. In particular, we look at how fundamental rights may be threatened by some emergency measures that are adopted or discussed in Europe.
The 5G networks that are being deployed all around Europe can provide inhabitants of cities with sustainable living, reduced traffic and stringent security, but the technology can also determine a slippery slope towards mass surveillance.
A European army? It won’t be happening overnight.
The Spitzenkandidat system has been criticised by a number of heads of state. Will it be applied this year?
Figures published by the World Bank track the increase in the use of internet worldwide.
The OECD has assessed how willing countries are to challenge questionable international tax practices.
Sweden does it without a law, France does it with one. The proportion of women in European parliaments and cabinets is determined by a number of different factors. A comparison.
MEPs' receive a gross salary of €8,757.70 per month, plus others reimbursements. But related perks are not transparent, as they don't have to show the receipts for their expenses.
The MEPs in the European Parliament's committees are divided up among 20 standing committees and two sub-committees (Human Rights (DROI) and Security and Defence (SEDE)), specialising in concrete areas of EU's policymaking.
After the abolition of direct public funding of politics in 2013, Italy intended to increase private donations. However, the numbers tell a different story: little funding comes from “big donors”, while a lot comes from elected representatives. Meanwhile, the absence of direct public funding in Italy remains a European anomaly.