Support for European integration has rarely been as high as it has been in recent years. Many Europeans realise that, in this world of crises and threats, they are better off with the EU than with their nation alone. (1) Nevertheless, right-wing parties, right-wing populists and nationalists are on the rise in many EU member states. (2) This is true, for example, of Germany (3) and Poland (4), and it could well prove to be the case for France in 2027 as well. How should we deal with this so as not to jeopardise what has been achieved in Europe – peace, freedom, democracy, the rule of law and prosperity? Below are some thoughts and suggestions on the matter. These are fruits of reading, plucked quite by chance from various branches of the great tree of political science literature aimed at the general public. – Let yourself be surprised.
The EU is currently under pressure from all sides. Now there is increasing pressure ‘from below’: more European citizens want to become even more active. A recent example is The Europeans, (1) a website that went live in February this year. The Europeans are deeply dissatisfied with political leadership in Europe and its ability to solve problems in the interests of Europeans. (2) Among other things, they attribute this to the fragmentation of the European debate into 27 national debates. The Europeans therefore aim to contribute to the emergence of a vibrant European debate in future.
The mainstream narrative in Europe has traditionally been that the EU is a project of the elite that needs to be explained to citizens. Social historian Hartmut Kaelble (1) offers a different perspective on the citizens of Europe in his book ‘Der verkannte Bürger’ (The Misunderstood Citizen), published in 2019. (2) He taught as a professor of economic and social history at the Free University from 1971 to 1991 and as a professor of social history at Humboldt University from 1991 to 2008, both in Berlin. Kaelble examines the role of citizens in European unification and thus presents ‘A Different History of European Integration since 1950’. The book deserves more attention, and its contents are presented below.
Many Europeans are looking ahead to the next elections with great concern, whether they be regional, national or European. And the prospect of nationalist, anti-European and undemocratic parties gaining further ground is making quite a few people's hair stand on end. Ave Europa, a new European political movement, wants to prevent another victory for anti-European and undemocratic parties. It wants to offer conservatives, liberals and centre-right voters who are dissatisfied with current economic, energy and migration policies a European and democratic alternative. Below is an interview with Nikodem Skrobisz, co-founder of the German branch of Ave Europa, who is also responsible for the organisation's communications. For the record: Nikodem Skrobisz left Ave Europa a few weeks after this interview.
Nothing is more difficult for me than writing a few lines about myself. Yet there is quite a lot to report, especially in a small online magazine with a European focus. During the 2009 European elections, I had the privilege of representing the trans-European citizens' movement Newropeans at the top of the list in Germany. Politically speaking, it was the most exciting time of my life, but also the most exhausting. It was, so to speak, my political ‘great achievement’, which cost me a lot of time, energy, nerves and money. I have no regrets.
Stop whining about Europe falling further and further behind in terms of innovative companies! The Europe-wide introduction of EU Inc. offers the chance for a unique breakthrough: The so-called ‘28th regime’, a legal form for companies valid throughout the EU, allows start-ups to overcome the fragmentation of the European single market, drastically digitises and simplifies the process of setting up a business, facilitates their growth, demonstrates the political will to reduce bureaucracy, promotes economic development in general – and fills many creative and committed young Europeans with confidence for a successful career on their own continent! Hello, politicians in Brussels and at national government headquarters: take the plunge and ‘just do it’, get rid of many problems in one fell swoop – make a difference – and turn the tide for us in Europe!
Europe is not just in Brussels. Europe is everywhere where Europeans meet, where they talk to each other or do business with each other. When it comes to products from European soil such as grain, there has been a truly European ‘institution’ for 65 years – the European Commodity Exchange. Every year, it organises exchange days in different European cities with the aim of bringing market participants together and promoting economic success. In 2025, the European Commodities Exchange will be coming to Berlin on 15 and 16 October.