Aktuelles > EM Germany Newsletter March 2024 | European elections 2024 – Where do the parties stand?
EM Germany Newsletter March 2024 | European elections 2024 – Where do the parties stand?
In a few weeks, from June 6th to 9th, approximately 400 million Europeans will be called upon to vote for the new European Parliament. In the struggle for the votes of EU citizens, parties have published their election programs in recent weeks. The focus of this EM Germany newsletter is the analysis of the election programs of the parties for the European elections in 2024. The priority here is the question of how peaceful coexistence in Europe and the world should be shaped in the future. In addition to areas such as support for Ukraine, migration, and climate, the overall direction of Europe’s politics is also at stake. Anti-European, nationalist, and far-right parties could be as strongly represented in the new legislature as never before, potentially undermining fundamental consensus points of European politics of the last decades through aggressive populism and strategic corruption. Also, in the European elections, the composition of the European Commission will be decided alongside the composition of the European Parliament. The EM Germany advocates for the election of top personnel who subsequently assume responsibility with parliamentary backing.
For the European Movement Germany, the election to the European Parliament is therefore an important opportunity to show how political parties differ, particularly in their European policies. Democratic elections thrive on the diverse political offerings between which we citizens can choose. We have compiled the different positions in our EM Germany graphic „EM Germany Insight into the European Elections 2024,“ which you can find further down in the newsletter. Here’s our President Dr. Linn Selle: Parties should vigorously debate urgent issues such as freedom and security, climate protection, migration, prosperity, and competitiveness. It’s good that the pro-European parties want to strengthen the EU as a whole on these issues. This gives us a real choice between good solution proposals!
At the same time as the election campaign begins, legislation in the EU institutions is entering its final phase. Important legislative processes such as the reform of the Common European Asylum System, AI, or EU supply chain legislation are currently being decided. The Belgian EU Council Presidency is doing an excellent job, although Germany is increasingly losing active influence thanks to the „German Vote.“ On the other hand, the co-legislator European Parliament once again illustrates how crucial casting one’s vote will be in the upcoming European elections. Therefore, I would like to call on all of you to promote participation in the European elections in your private and professional environment over the next weeks and months, preferably also by participating in our networking campaign. Unlike the people in Russia, we in Europe have a real choice.
Yours,
Bernd Hüttemann
Secretary General of EM Germany
#EBDGrafik of the month
EM Germany News
Harmony between climate protection and industry? Discussion with Terry Reintke MEP | How can the conflicting goals of climate neutrality and deindustrialisation be resolved? Terry Reintke MEP, Lead Candidate of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Prof. Dr Henning Vöpel, Chairman of the Board of the Centre for European Politics, and EM Germany President Dr. Linn Selle discussed this as part of the EM Germany & Table.Media event series „Europe before the fateful election – the lead candidate check“. The Green Deal, which aims to transform Europe into the first emissions-neutral continent by 2050 – including industrial and social policy projects – plays a central role in this. Linked to the desire for climate neutrality is the fear of a decline in industrial production and thus a loss of prosperity. The participants agreed on the vision of a climate-neutral future in conjunction with social equalisation. Terry Reintke emphasised that climate neutrality affects not only environmental policy, but also all other areas. Prof Dr Vöpel agreed with this, but added the need for a more open, market-based transformation process. Dr Linn Selle sees the Green Deal above all as an opportunity for Europe to become the global technology leader for green growth. | If you don’t want to miss any of the debates, we recommend subscribing to our event newsletter. | More (in German)
No move away from restrictive monetary policy (yet). EM Germany De-Briefing ECB-Council | Last week, the EM Germany focussed on one thing in particular: the economy. In cooperation with the European Movement Austria, Gabriel Glöckler and Dr. Christiane Nickel from the European Central Bank (ECB) explained the economic development in the eurozone in the digital EM Germany & EM Austria De-Briefing ECB-Council. It became clear that the central bank will not turn away from its restrictive monetary policy prematurely, despite falling inflation and a weakening economy. | More (in German)
Social issues, resilience and Ukraine. EM Germany De-Briefing ECOFIN and Eurogroup | European finance ministers must also respond to the economic environment. They met in the format of the Eurogroup and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on 11 and 12 March. Dr. Judith Hermes from the Federal Ministry of Finance presented key findings in the digital EM Germany De-Briefing ECOFIN and Eurogroup. Social investment and resilient economies were discussed with the Council representatives for employment and social policy („EPSCO“). Geopolitical issues were also on the agenda: on the one hand, the proceeds of frozen Russian assets are to benefit Ukraine. On the other hand, more financial aid for the defence of the sovereign state was approved. The EU therefore continues to stand firmly by Ukraine’s side, also from an economic perspective. | More (in German)
„She is an outstanding voice of young Jewish life in Europe“ | Hanna Veiler is Woman of Europe 2024! With this award, the EM Germany honours an extraordinary activist and publicist for her outstanding social commitment. Through her journalistic activities and her tireless commitment to youth organisations, she contributes to strengthening European integration. She brings Jewish life in Germany and the demands of young Jews into the public eye through her commitment, including as President of the Jewish Student Union of Germany (JSUD) and Vice President of the European Jewish Students Union. In the face of growing anti-Semitism, she is sending an important signal against extremism and in favour of upholding human rights. The prize will be awarded on Monday, 6 May 2024, in Berlin at a ceremony in cooperation with the Representation of the European Commission in Germany. | More (in German)
After Parliament’s reform proposals, the ball is in the Member States‘ court, EP rapporteur in dialogue with Helmut Scholz | In view of recent crises, democratic setbacks and the difficulty of responding appropriately to new challenges, the question of the future of the EU is becoming increasingly urgent. Helmut Scholz MEP presented the necessity and possibilities of EU treaty changes at the European House. The European Parliament, co-led by our guest Helmut Scholz MEP, Gabriele Bischoff MEP, Daniel Freund MEP, Prof. Dr Sven Simon MEP and Guy Verhofstadt MEP, submitted a reform proposal in November 2023. This primarily contained institutional reforms and aimed to strengthen the Parliament and minimise hurdles in the Council. Although the parliamentary recommendation to amend the EU treaties was supported by all political groups, it has not yet received a response from the heads of state and government. It remains to be seen whether the European Council will be able to deal with it before the Hungarian Council Presidency. | More (in German)
EU enlargement as a driver of intra-European reforms, discussion with Dr Katarina Barley | On a more abstract level, Dr. Katarina Barley MEP, lead candidate of the SPD, discussed EU treaty changes together with Prof. Dr. Christian Calliess from the Free University of Berlin and EM Germany President Dr. Linn Selle as part of the EM Germany & Table.Media event series „Europe before the fateful election – the lead candidate check“. The debate focussed primarily on potential EU enlargement. While the participants generally agreed that a reform of the treaties was essential for the admission of new members, there were divergent views on the architecture to be aimed for. Professor Calliess put forward the idea of enabling a gradual integration process. Willing accession states could thus implement European aspects step by step. Less integration-friendly members would have the option of withdrawing from certain policy areas. This proposal was not received particularly favourably by the two panellists. The danger of political disintegration was too great, and the legal structure too uncertain. | More (in German)
Upcoming Events
25.03.2024 | EM Germany De-Briefing European Council with Sibylle Katharina Sorg, Head of the European Department at the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and Dr. Kirsten Scholl, Head of the European Department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).
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