Democracy thrives on the participation of its citizens, who get involved indirectly through associations and organisations or directly in politics. In this spirit, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised at the start of the Conference on the Future of Europe: „We will listen and, whenever possible, act in the interests of the people“. Now the Conference enters its final phase. This month, the plenary is due to vote on which recommendations from the national and European citizens‘ panels and the digital platform will be handed over to the presidents of the EU institutions on Europe Day, 9 May. However, what exactly happens to these recommendations afterwards and how they can initiate concrete EU reforms remains unclear so far.

To ensure that the Conference does not become just a mere listening exercise, we will therefore keep up the pressure on the EU and its member states after 9 May. They should seriously follow up the recommendation in a transparent process, considering all instruments in the implementation, including treaty changes. Only then, the debate can at the same time initiate a public race for the best solutions and provide impulses for the election programmes as well as for the candidacies for the European elections in 2024. Because the greatest and most exciting dialogue with the citizens finds expression in the concrete will of the voters, who will decide in May 2024 on the composition of the European Parliament and hopefully also on Europe’s next steps. 

Yours

Dr. Linn Selle

PresidentEuropean Movement Germany

#EBDGrafik of the week

EM Germany News

Conference on the Future of Europe – a detailed review | The Conference on the Future of Europe is currently in its final phase. It is now time for the plenary assembly. The plenary assembly must vote on which recommendations from the national and European citizens‘ forums and the digital platform will be handed over to the heads of the EU institutions on Europe Day, May 9th. Ahead of the next plenary session on the 8th and 9th of April, EM Germany Secretary-General Bernd Hüttemann takes an investigative look at the Conference on the Future of Europe in the first EU-in-BRIEF of the year. Where does the Conference stand, what has already been achieved and what still needs to happen? | More (in German)

Festivity in honour of Rita Süssmuth | On the occasion of the 85th birthday of the former president of the German Parliament and EM Germany honorary president Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth, the EM Germany member organisation Genshagen Foundation organised a panel discussion together with the German Poland-Institute and the German-Polish Science Foundation. The Polish writer Magdalena Parys, the French political scientist Prof. Dr. Antoine Vauchez, the French ambassador to Germany Anne-Marie Descôtes, EM Germany president Dr. Linn Selle and of course Prof. Dr. Rita Süssmuth took part in the panel discussion on the topic „Cohesion in Europe – The Art of Politics“. The focus of the event was laid on democratic, social and cultural cohesion of Europe in the shadow of the war | More (in German)

Who will make it to the College of Europe? | The selection committee for the College of Europe met last week. 67 applicants were invited for a personal interview and faced the jury in a 15-minute discussion. Five degree programmes were to choose from: EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies (IRD), European Legal Studies (LAW), European Economic Studies (ECO), European Political and Governance Studies (POL) and European Interdisciplinary Studies (EIS). 28 applicants can also look forward to a sought-after scholarship for the College | More (in German)

Shaping Europe together with the municipalities | EM Germany president Dr. Linn Selle was invited to the Assembly of Delegates of the German section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (RGRE). During the workshop on „Shaping Europe with the municipalities: Conference on the Future of Europe”, Dr. Selle presented the European Movement Germany as well as the political positions of the EM Germany. Furthermore, she provided information on the current status of the Conference on the Future of Europe. In the process, the EM Germany president paid special attention to the participation and configuration options of the RGRE – German section at the Conference on the Future of Europe. | More (in German)

Clear demands to the European Council | On Twitter, EM Germany president Dr. Linn Selle commented on the European Council meeting. Russia’s war against Ukraine, security and defence, energy and COVID-19 stood on the agenda. With regard to the war in Ukraine, the EM Germany president once again called for united and resolute action by the Member States. Furthermore, a European accession perspective for Ukraine could send an important signal. Finally, the EM Germany president commented on the final phase of the Conference on the Future of Europe: the conference must not come to a standstill and is a meaningful opportunity – also in light of the European elections in 2024 | More (in German)

What role does Europe currently play? | During the inaugural visit in Germany of the new president of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, a meeting with the societal forces and interest groups in Germany was part of the program. Accordingly, the newly elected president answered the questions of those present at the joint event of the EM Germany and the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in the European House. Between meetings with foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, she led a discussion with EM Germany president Dr. Linn Selle under the title „What Role for Europe in a New World?”. Indeed, the war in Ukraine is a turning point for the EU and its role in the world. | More (in German)

Upcoming Events

In order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the EM Germany hosts its events as video conferences whenever possible. +++ 25.05.2022 EBD De-Briefing ECOFIN and Euro-Group +++ 14.06.2022 EBD De-Briefing AGRIFISH +++  20.06.2022 EBD De-Briefing EPSCO +++ 

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