democracy Archives • Eyes on Europe

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the State of the European Union 2023 [Alexis HAULOT/ European Parliament]

Quo Vadis Spitzenkandidaten?

26 September 2023 EU Elections 2024 European Union

Amid the echoes of this year’s State of the European Union (SOTEU) address, a pivotal question emerges: Can the Spitzenkandidaten procedure make a comeback in the upcoming EU elections? This […]

The Belgrade-Pristina-Dialogue – Will the EU let them join the club?

30 June 2023 European Politics

Luka Krauss 7 min

Undermining Kosovo’s state-building efforts and ambitions for greater global recognition is just one of many reasons why China and Russia get to secure the best venues for their billboards in the capital. Yet, while both countries continue to stir the conflict and veto Kosovo independence in the UN Security Council, the EU is mediating talks for a normalisation of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

What about Istanbul? The EU’s role in fighting gender-based violence within and outside the Union

9 June 2023 Gender/equality

Joris Rouillon 9 min

The European Commission proposed a new directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The proposal aims to strengthen the protection of victims of gender-based violence in the EU and to ensure that the standards of the Istanbul Convention are implemented in all Member States.

The American alternative: lobbying in a billion-worth market

9 March 2023 Energy Security International

Mario Vega 8 min

The war in Ukraine has jeopardised and reshaped the European energy sector, of which almost half is dependent on Russian gas imports. In this regard, it is of vital relevance to highlight the fact that fourteen Member States rely on Russia for more than 50% on its gas imports, which entails a high percentage of financing for Putin’s war within the neighbouring country. In this sense, the dilemma on this political agenda is evident considering that Russia is the largest gas exporter in the world. In the heat of the events in Ukraine, Europe questioned whether it should continue buying Russian gas to guarantee consumption or block its arrival, putting the energy security of the twenty-seven at risk.

The potential of social economy for a more democratic, just and fair future

1 July 2022 European Politics

Sara Bombardieri 5 min

On the 16th of December 2021, the European Commission launched its Social Economy Action Plan, the climax of a long process that repaid the commitment and engagement of the social […]

The EDPS, Europol, data protection and security

27 June 2022 European Politics

Nicolas Rocher 7 min

The European Union places itself as a major data protection actor worldwide, notably through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Nonetheless, Europol, its law enforcement agency, seems to run counter […]