Think Tank

Hate speech and hate crime are incompatible with the European Union's common values and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the European Union (EU) Treaties and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. EU law criminalises hate speech and hate crime, but only if it is related to a limited set of characteristics, namely: race, colour, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. Legislative developments, case-law and policy initiatives have helped to create more equal and welcoming societies – including ...

It has been 14 years since the last outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a European Union (EU) country. However, three water buffaloes have recently tested positive for the disease in Germany. While FMD poses no risk to human health, it is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect various cloven-hoofed animals. The speed with which the disease spreads makes it essential to cull all animals hosted on the affected farm once an outbreak is detected, and to apply strict biosecurity measures ...

The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.

Over the past decade, the EU's asylum and migration systems have been severely tested by several major events, including the 2015-2016 migrant crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and recent tensions at the EU's eastern border. To address these challenges, in 2020 the European Commission proposed a pact on migration and asylum, a comprehensive legislative framework designed to streamline and harmonise the reception of asylum seekers in the EU. The pact was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council ...

Professor Dr Xanthaki presented to JURI Committee a critical analysis of the "The 'one in, one out' principle - A real better lawmaking tool?". She concluded that the principle may lead to less (not better) legislation, purely on a arithmetical basis, and recommended to JURI Committee to focus on genuine better law-making tools, including a modernized, citizen-centred drafting structure and style for EU legislation, which she considered not fit for purpose in its current style. This briefing was ...