130 days later than planned, the 2020 European Movement (EM) Germany General Assembly will now take place on 30 October and in a hybrid format. Events in times of COVID-19 are subject to great uncertainty. I am glad we found a way to ensure that EM Germany’s highest statutory meeting can take place and pass reliable resolutions in 2020.

Under the new circumstances, the General Assembly offers a twofold opportunity: On the one hand, we are blurring the lines of the Berlin bubble and enabling low-threshold participation by our member organisations from Bonn, Munich or elsewhere. On the other hand, the Executive Board has used the time gained to reassess and adapt the policies of the association. The revised draft texts for EM Germany’s political demands 2020/21 will be sent to all contact persons of the member organisations in mid-August, whereupon we will continue the consultation process with digital discussions. 

We are hoping for great internal democracy and participation from our diverse network, so that EM Germany receives the broadest possible mandate for its commitment for more democracy, participation and diversity in the multi-level system of the EU.

Best regards,

#EBDFokus: prospects for the general assembly

The date is set: on 30 October, delegates from the 255 member organisations will meet at the General Assembly to set the objectives for EM Germany’s 2020/21 policy. The event is planned as a hybrid format that will primarily allow digital participation and, depending on the level of restrictions, enable delegates to participate physically. +++ EM Germany’s highest body decides, among other things, on the future policy of the association and elects its Board. The #EBDGrafik of the week summarises the tasks and composition of the General Assembly. +++ In the supporting programme we take stock of the German EU Council Presidency together with the chairmen of sister associations. A digital network meeting of the different national organisations is also planned. +++ The consultation process on EM Germany’s 2020/21 policy has been underway since the beginning of the year. At the end of May, the Executive Board decided on a fundamental reorientation of the political demands including a roadmap for the consultation until the General Assembly. The new text proposals will be discussed in three digital EBD Exklusiv events with experts from the Board and member organisations. +++ All information, registration options and already agreed draft resolutions are collected on the website for the General Assembly. +++ An overview of all 255 members of EM Germany is available here.

#EBDGrafik of the week: Tasks of the General Assembly

EM Germany news

750 billion for the recovery fund and 1,074.3 billion for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – this was agreed by the heads of state and government at the end of the four-day special summit in Brussels. The Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy reported on the results of the summit on 23 July at the EBD De-Briefing European Council, which – for the first time – the participants were able to follow in German, English and Italian. | More (in German and in English)

EM Germany President and member organisations comment on EUCO summit results: „Unanimity in the European Council stands in the way of Europe’s future viability. Even the rule of law is becoming a bargaining chip. The European Parliament must now iron out the mistakes and defend its position on the rule of law, democratic participation and future issues“, concludes EM Germany President Dr Linn Selle on the special summit in Brussels. In a Twitter thread, Selle praises the fact that the agreement „demonstrated capacity to act and provided a powerful response to the corona crisis“. At the same time, she critically assesses that funds for future topics on research, climate and health have been cut in order to maintain national rebates, and criticises the lack of a clear rule of law link and parliamentary control of the new long-term EU budget. | More (in German) +++ EM Germany presents graphs on the financing of programmes in the MFF: EM Germany accompanied the special summit with infographics comparing the planned shares for the expenditure areas in the EUCO decision with the proposals of the European Commission and the European Parliament. The approaches are each commented on by representative stakeholders from EM Germany’s membership. Graphics already published include comments from DBJR, IB and Caritas.| More (in German)

Events to come

All EM Germany events take place via videoconference. Participation is free, but registration required. Conference language is German unless indicated otherwise. +++ 06.-08.08.2020: Women of Europe networking event in Bayreuth +++ 25./27./31.08.2020: EBD Exklusiv: Consultation on EM Germany’s political demands 2020/21 +++ Our Presidency Calendar on the German EU Council Presidency is online – in the traditional six-month format (scroll to page 2), but also for August 2020. We’re continuously updating this new monthly format with events as they evolve – the A4 size allows for easy printing at your office (wherever it’s situated).

---

Check out former editions of our weekly newsletter here.

Please sign up here if you’d like to receive the newsletter.