Democracy

Pandemic has opened prisons across Europe 

Wednesday 24 February 2021 | Laszlo Arato
| EUrologus

The prison population fell in almost all European countries last year. Many detainees were released to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and meanwhile the crime rate also declined. The largest drop in prison numbers was in Turkey. However, in certain countries the incarcerated population increased.

Mapping the migrant camps in Europe 

Thursday 29 April 2021 | Elvira Krithari
| MIIR

Successful integration of refugees and migrants into their host society is at the core of the European migration strategy - at least, on paper. In reality their current living conditions show that they are far from meeting this objective. MIIR’s analysis on the refugee issue in Europe seeks to answer the question: "What are Europe’s plans for the refugees?”

The hidden agenda behind the Recovery and Resilience Facility 

Thursday 29 April 2021 | Nikos Morfonios
| MIIR

Member countries will be continuously assessed for meeting targets and reforms in order to receive their share of the recovery fund. If European governments do not comply with the agreed recovery plan, the purse strings will be tightened.

How "big tech" influence electoral processes and why transparency is essential 

Monday 21 December 2020 | Andreas Vou
| Voxeurop

Over the years, Big Tech companies have morphed from mere platforms to major international players with vested financial and political motives and connections. Their roles in influencing elections in Europe must be seriously addressed.

The gender gap in European governments and parliaments 

Tuesday 02 March 2021 | Openpolis

While the proportion of women in the executive and legislative bodies of EU countries has grown over the years, access to key positions of political influence is still limited — in some member states more than in others.

The lobbyists behind EU response to migration 

Friday 05 March 2021 | Emanuela Barbiroglio
| Voxeurop

A “fortress Europe” is being built thanks to a massive deployment of resources. The result is that the border agency Frontex embraced corporate interests rather than human rights, a new report from Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) shows.

Dark patterns: born to mislead  in depth

Wednesday 13 November 2019 | Federico Caruso
| OBC Transeuropa

Digital platforms often trick users into giving up their personal data or buying particular products. These “dark patterns” go against European legislation, but authorities are struggling to combat them.

Biometric IDs and health passports: Safety at the expense of personal freedom 

Monday 08 February 2021 | Andreas Vou
| Voxeurop

Digital IDs and health passports are being talked up as the only way to return to normal amid COVID-19 but open the door to an unprecedented central surveillance system and an end to personal autonomy through coercion. And while they are being pitched as optional, those who opt out face exclusion from the most fundamental freedoms.

The risks and opportunities of “remote democracy” 

Tuesday 12 January 2021 | Openpolis

In recent months, Covid-19 has put Western democracies to the test. In the larger European countries, the space for democratic deliberation has been greatly reduced. In this regard, new technologies represent a major opportunity.

EU infringement procedures: November 2020 update 

Monday 30 November 2020 | Openpolis

The European Commission has been opening 78 new infringement procedures per month against the member states in 2020. Spain continues to be the country with the largest number of pending procedures (100), closely followed by the UK and Greece.