We are ready for the European elections in 2024. The General Assembly of the European Movement Germany set the course last week. We have the policies and the tools to utilize our network of 250 member organisations to set accents for a future Europe with freedom, prosperity and democracy. 

We will campaign for the emerging election programmes to offer added value in European and democratic questions. And we will engage in critical dialogue with the candidates at an early stage. The goal is, of course, a high voter turnout. But more importantly, democratic competition and constructive debate on the best political solutions have to keep the enemies of democracy and freedom at bay. 

To begin with, there are unexpected elections in Spain, which makes the Spanish EU Presidency a challenge because in any case, there is much to do. In view of the persistent heat in many parts of Europe and especially in Spain, the government in Madrid has decided on a stronger climate policy as one of its four priorities. As our #EBDgraphik shows, and considering the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine with its economic and political consequences, the three other priorities in my view also set the correct focus. 

What is less mentioned in the Presidency’s programme, however, is an EU asylum policy. The creation of a functioning common European asylum system before the European elections is necessary and by now likely to come. But we need a maximum of solidarity, humanity and reliability. 

Likewise, in my view, the Presidency has not sufficiently considered the European policy dynamics arising from the EU’s enlargement policy. Even without the enlargement, the democratic governance of the EU must always be improved, since the Russian aggression does not stop to fight the free Europe with weapons but also through subtle destabilisation. 

Despite all the threats, I wish you a good summer. We must go into autumn strengthened in order to successfully contest 2023/24. 

Yours,

Dr. Linn Selle

President of EM Germany

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#EBDGrafik of the month

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EM Germany News

EM Germany Briefing on the Spanish EU presidency | Together with the Spanish embassy, EM Germany organizes an event to discuss the work programme of the Spanish EU presidency. Ambassador H.E. Ricardo Martínez Vázquez will present his country’s priorities for the upcoming 6 months. He will be joined in the discussion by, among others, EM Germany president Dr. Linn Selle and representatives from German ministries for Foreign Affairs and Economics and climate. | More (in German)

EM Germany General member assembly 2023 | On the third of July, EM Germany held its annual general member assembly. Some of the discussed topics were the upcoming European elections in 2024, the Russian aggression war on the Ukraine and the growing right-wing populist trend in Europe. The EM Germany welcomed some prominent guests like Dr. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), Katarina Barley, Wolfgang Schmidt (both SPD), Gunther Krichbaum (CDU) and Hervé Moritz (EM France). | More (in German)

EM Germany De-Briefing European Council | Following our general member assembly, the EMG De-Briefing on the European Council meeting on 29th & 30th of June took place in the same venue. The focus was on the latest developments of the Russian war of aggression, on issues of migration and foreign and security policy, and on Europe’s economy. Moderated by EM Germany secretary-general Bernd Hüttemann, the discussion was held with representatives from the German Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the German Ministry for Economics and Climate. | More (in German)

EM Germany background discussion Transparency in the EU | In cooperation with the Dutch Embassy in Germany, the EMG organized a discussion event on transparency in the EU. The focus was on further steps to implement the Transparency Pledge initiated by the Netherlands and Denmark, which EU decision-makers – including government members of all 27 EU member states – signed in 2021. The event, held at the Dutch Embassy, was moderated by EM Germany secretary-general Bernd Hüttemann. | More (in German)

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Upcoming Events

12.07.2023 | EM Germany Briefing on the Spanish Council Presidency with H.E. Ricardo Martínez Vázquez, Spanish Ambassador in Germany, Sibylle Katharina Sorg, Head of the European Department at the Federal Foreign Office, Dr. Kirsten Scholl, Head of the Department for European Affairs at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Dr. Linn Selle, President of the European Movement Germany and EM Germany Board Member Dr. Jana Puglierin.

More information

Our Presidency Calendar on the Spanish EU Council Presidency contains all dates of the semester.

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