politics
Hungarians are not enthused by EU Parliament elections – what’s the issue?
The next European Parliament elections are scheduled for 2024. In Hungary, the government plans to merge them with local elections. Ahead of this change, we looked at how many Hungarians have turned out to vote so far, in which municipalities, and where voters have shown the least interest in the future of the European Parliament.
Meetings on public health between European Commission and lobbies have been booming
Meetings with dozens of assistants and thousands of civil servants fly under the radar of the EU's transparency register. The heads of the pharmaceutical industry, EFPIA is one of the most active lobby groups. In less than a year and a half since the start of the pandemic they have held as many meetings with senior Commission officials as in the last five years.
The risks and opportunities of “remote democracy”
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.
How Croatia plans to spend €22 billion in EU funds
Croatia is expected to receive a good wealth of EU funds in the coming years. However, the strategic priorities doesn't appear very bold and clear, and the plan for the use of the Recovery Fund is not ready yet.
Brexit: EU faces a losing dilemma
With two months to go before the end of the transition period, the Brexit negotiations between London and Brussels are stuck. Aurélien Antoine, professor of public law at the University of Saint-Etienne and director of the Brexit Observatory, deciphers what is at stake in the coming weeks.
Can the green transition help in solving fiscal and monetary divergencies in the EU?
The COVID-19 pandemic may have opened a window of opportunity for the European Union to strengthen its fiscal cohesion and to put the climate transition on the right track.
The EU norms that don’t make it to South-East Europe
Many member states are struggling to implement regulations and directives enacted by the EU. Data provides insight in their ability to avoid potential infringement procedures and sanctions, and to maintain ties with the EU.
Italy: doing politics with politicians’ money
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.
Climate action at the centre of crucial EU summit
Novelties are in the air for this week's European Council: Charles Michel will preside it for the first time, the gender balance will slightly improve, and it will probably be the last Council in which the UK takes part. Some novelties are expected also in terms of policy proposals.
