“Social justice must be strengthened in European legislation” Interview In her interview with Dr. Christine Pütz, Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, offers her opinion on the study “Actually European?! Citizen Expectations towards German EU Policy in the Context of Crisis and Transformation” and makes the case for Germany’s commitment to show its dependability and solidarity. By Christine Pütz and Terry Reintke
Power and Responsibility: Putting Human Rights at the Centre of EU Foreign Policy Interview To what extent do human rights principles underpin the European Union’s policies towards the rest of the world? The EU’s power to promote the core values enshrined in its treaties is weakened by the frequent misalignment between the rhetoric of EU leaders and the actions on the ground. Can these gaps be bridged to place respect for human rights, equality, and social justice at the heart of foreign policy? Hannah Neumann explains how change will not happen overnight, but how progress can be made through painstaking efforts, compromise, and dialogue. By Hannah Neumann
Money Pits and Public Duty: How Orbán’s government fails to restore Hungarian public’s trust Analysis The EU summit in Brussels has brought the attention of the public to the issue of how the European idea should be approached. Is Europe a mere community of countries sharing similar economic interests, or is it more than that? A clear response is still awaited to this question, even if the circumstances arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed with unusual clarity the stance taken by the EU member countries concerning the rule of law. By Emese Pásztor
What to make of Hungary’s budget veto? Analysis Hungary and Poland indicated in November that they would veto the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU (NGEU) economic recovery fund. However, recent developments indicate that Hungary’s and Poland’s views on the matter have diverged. Hungary continues to risk delaying the arrival of new EU subsidies that would allow the Government to make new spending commitments in the last full year before the 2022 general election. Yet, considering the current politico-economic situation in the EU, Hungary does stand a chance of achieving some of its immediate goals. So, the key question is: What does Budapest stand to gain by using its veto? By Patrik Szicherle
Germany’s EU Council presidency paves the way for closer European cooperation - and draws Czechia into it Analysis When Germany took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union from Croatia, the rest of the EU Member States welcomed it with a kind of relief. After the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, Europe found itself on the brink of a deep economic crisis. The EU capacities were occupied with other burning issues: post-COVID economic recovery, negotiations of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the climate crisis, the ongoing Brexit negotiations, and the need for a new pact on migration. Germany’s takeover was seen as good luck during a European misfortune, as the country well known for its negotiation skills and experienced diplomats is also the EU’s economic powerhouse. By Vendula Karásková
Systemic breaches of the rule of law in Hungary: “My biggest fear is that the EU will give in” Interview Interview with Benedek Jávor about the blackmailing attempt of Viktor Orbán and Mateusz Morawiecki, the importance of the rule of law in the EU and the responsibility of the German government. By Eva van de Rakt
Transforming the opposition in Hungary after the EP elections analysis The European Parliamentary elections have stirred up Hungarian politics. Though the support for the governing party Fidesz seems to be unwavering, the power relations have changed in the opposition. By András Jámbor
The situation in Hungary is unchanged analysis Political Capital’s analysis of the relationship between the European People’s Party (EPP) and Fidesz, Fidesz’s suspension, and its consequences in Hungary. By Attila Juhász
Congress of Young Europeans Prague Applications are open for the 6thCongress of Young Europeans, which this time is going to take place in Prague, Czech Republic between 30 August and 2 September 2018.
Capacity Building for the Post-Brexit Generation ‘Why We're Stuck and How We Want to Get out of This’ The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union (hbs EU) invites young Europeans from all Member States and the UK to Brussels in order to discuss with each other, with actors of the European institutions, NGOs and think tanks as well as with journalists and local politicians, initiatives, students and academics in Belgium how they see their future in and for Europe.