The Left in the European Parliament’s Post

🌍 The EU and Its Global Partners: Leveraging Power or Struggling to Deliver? 🌍 By: Olaf Wientzek, Jonas Nitschke, Louis Bout, Nicole Linsenbold Under re-elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU aims to “leverage” its power and partnerships globally. With rising global tensions, strengthening ties with global partners has become a necessity, not a choice. While a major shift in strategy seems unlikely, we can expect: 🔑 More Pragmatism: Focus on interest-driven, pragmatic approaches. 🌐 Prioritization: Resources will be focused where most needed. 🤝 Equal Partnerships: Efforts to build more balanced global alliances. Will the EU’s ambitions align with action? You can read more here👇 #EUPolicy #Geopolitics #GlobalPartnerships #ForeignPolicy #EUCommission

📄𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 by #SvenBiscop "EU Strategy 2025-2029: We Have the Instruments, Now Set the Objectives" * An instrument is not a #policy. At the start of a new #European legislature, the #EU should take the time for a strategic review * The reality is that the structure of world politics is not new: #multipolarity is its natural state * The fact that another power is rising is not problematic per se – it all depends on why and how they use their power * The world is not bipolar – neither the powers nor the other states are aligned in two mutually exclusive #blocs * World politics is not a confrontation between #democracy and #autocracy – when the national interest demands it, states (including EU Member States) cooperate with any other state * The rules-based order is not defunct – powers are competing for positions in the United Nations rather than building a parallel system * We are not in a permanent “grey zone” between #war and #peace – #deterrence still works, so the great powers do not go to war against each other * #GrandStrategy is the agenda of the European Commission as a whole, the President and #HR included, only if the European Union realises that this strategy will carry any weight 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 👉 https://bit.ly/49cemph #Geopolitics #EUGrandStrategy #SvenBiscop #strategy #competence

The world is facing a polycrisis, and that’s because our global governance institutions privilege state interests determined by political and economic elites. To fight the polycrisis, global governance institutions must be influenced not just by states, but by people, writes CIVICUS’ Mandeep Tiwana in this piece. Specific proposals he highlights are the creation of a World Citizens' Initiative, a UN Parliamentary Assembly, and a UN Civil Society Envoy. These are the demands of the "We The Peoples" campaign for inclusive global governance jointly convened by CIVICUS, Democracy International, and Democracy Without Borders. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/es5qFkiz Subscribe to our newsletter: https://lnkd.in/ekPGH6bx

"Together we can achieve a more just and equal society." 💪 Wise words from Petros Fassoulas, Secretary General of the European Movement International, who we are delighted to share is one of the signatories of our manifesto for #diverse panels! Our manifesto calls for EU stakeholders to step up and ensure a diverse range of voices are heard in #EU policy debates. 🗣 📢 Do you also believe that diverse perspectives should be represented in policy debates? Sign our pledge and support us to make this a reality! ✒ ➡ https://lnkd.in/eKEHnvmx

The Center for American Progress has been sounding the alarm of the potential harms to freedom and democracy from the Heritage Foundation’s extreme, far-right Project 2025 policy agenda. Unfortunately, Americans don’t need to theorize about the consequences of such an agenda: We can see right now the devastating effects of that game plan in backsliding democracies elsewhere.  Hungary, Turkey, Poland, Italy, and Tunisia are all case studies of how far-right leaders have exploited the democratic process to win at the ballot box and then move quickly to consolidate power, roll back rights, and undermine institutions. Let’s be clear: the policy proposals in Project 2025 present a similar threat to American democracy. These examples serve as urgent warnings, underscoring the need to counter far-right extremism, preserve hard-earned yet fragile freedoms, and defend democracy.

At the Open European Dialogue's annual conference, 47 policymakers from 23 countries crafted a Code of Conduct to lead in polarised times: embrace conflict, respect rivals, focus on solutions & lead with purpose - these are just a few of the agreed principles which become ever more important for parliamentary discourse and the well functioning of European democracies. We are proud to partner with the Open European Dialogue in its mission to connect European politicians across parties and countries and promote innovative political conversations - alongside Robert Bosch Stiftung, König-Baudouin-Stiftung, IAI - Istituto Affari Internazionali, CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), ELIAMEP (Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy) and APROPOS - Advancing Process in Politics. Full story: https://lnkd.in/em6UtFEp

In our new expert video, Dr Andreea Nastase, Assistant Professor in European Public Policy at Universiteit Maastricht, discusses how the newly elected European Commission stands out in terms of its election process and its mandate to address the EU’s newly introduced priorities. Although this Commission made history with the narrowest majority ever, just 54% of MEPs backed it, all the commissioner designates were approved by the European Parliament after its hearings. This wasn’t the case in the Von der Leyen I commission and many of its predecessors. While its ambitions are high in defense & housing, Nastase signals a shift from climate to economic & social priorities. What will be next for Europe? #WorkingonEurope

It was a pleasure to attend Frances Fitzgerald's 'Future of Europe and Defending Democracy,' seminar last night in the Royal Irish Academy. Guest of Honour and keynote speaker was newly elected Fine Gael Leader and Taoiseach - elect, Min. Simon Harris. Chaired by Frances Fitzgerald, two members of European Movement Ireland board formed the stellar panel of: Catherine Day, Gary Joyce, Tommie Gorman and Daniel Mulhall. They explored the twin themes of defending democracy and championing the future of Europe from their unique perspectives and expertise against the backdrop of an ever more fraught fast-evolving geo-political world order. With 71 days to go to the 2024 European Parliament elections here in Ireland on Friday 7 June, I was struck by Simon Harris comments on how Europe remains a cause of great optimism in a very uncertain world order and the role it plays in standing as a beacon of democracy, embodying our ideals of freedom, equality and human rights. In his words, Europe has been the 'greatest peace process in history as well as our greatest hope for the future.' The threats of authoritarianism, populism and misinformation were referenced across the evening. In expressing strong support on the importance of fostering and supporting a robust civil society, Min. Harris concluded his address by reminding us that 'The enemies of democracy are ambitious, so we need to match their ambition. We need to find ways to shatter the walls of misinformation that are encircling us.' And let's not forget, Ireland's story 'Is a story of peace-keepers and peace-makers.' 'All of us must play our part in safeguarding our democracy.' #Democracy #innovation #elections #EE2024 #Europeanelections24 #EP2024 #misinformation #disinformation #Ireland #Parliament #Business #Values #vote #Vótáil #canvotewillvote #HaveYourSay #Civilsociety