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Italy – just hearing the word sets your imagination racing. Journalist Sebastian Heinrich aims to present German readers with a contemporary picture of Italy that is true to life, yet empathetic and critical. His podcast ‘Kurz gesagt: ITALIEN’ (1) was followed in 2024 by a book (2) of the same title. Both explore the country in a charming way, using Italian words that are difficult or impossible to translate. For behind each of these words lies a story that he shares. The author has selected 15 terms, arranged alphabetically, from ‘Autogrill’ to ‘Sanremo’. They cover everyday life, culture, geography and history. At least five of them can be regarded as political, and they all relate to democracy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

We should be grateful to Trump. No other American president before him would have been so blatant in publicly demonstrating the powerlessness of the Europeans. This power imbalance angers many committed Europeans. But this is precisely where a great opportunity lies. Now the last ones in Europe should understand: Firstly, unity counts, and secondly, those who cannot defend themselves are dependent and will not be taken seriously. This almost inevitably leads to the realisation that Europeans are best defended together. Even if defence remains a national responsibility, the EU serves as the most important vehicle for pooling national efforts and giving Europe a voice on the global stage. The goal must be an independent Europe and peace in Europe (Pax Europaea). (1)

The EU finance ministers are expected to adopt the final legal acts on 8 July 2025, enabling Bulgaria to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026. (1) It will then become the 21st member state of the EU with the single currency. This will add 6.5 million people to the 350 million already living in the euro area. The single currency offers advantages for businesses and citizens. National governments, on the other hand, lose control over monetary policy. But they also gain – probably more than expected in times of global challenges and uncertainty. To enable Europeans to reap the full benefits of their single currency, they must strengthen the euro's foundations: geopolitical credibility, economic resilience and legal and institutional integrity. (2)

There are enthusiastic Europeans who would rather see the nation state consigned to the dustbin of history sooner rather than later. The threat from East and West is currently giving rise to more and more such zealots. However, the nation state is far from obsolete. And in all likelihood, it will not come to that. This is because in every federalist state (should the EU become one ...), the units that form it – i.e. the member states – remain intact. And that is a good thing! Because the nation state contributes significantly to the identity of many people. It is where democracy takes place. And it performs the tasks for which the European level is not necessary or (from today's perspective) not suitable.

With the introduction of “shotgun” tariffs, US economic policy once again took a radical turn. As the boomer generation might report, the US has already turned the economic tide at least twice before (in its own interest or in the belief of doing so): The first time was when it abandoned the Bretton Woods system in 1971, and the second time with the introduction of ‘Reaganomics’ from 1981/82 onwards. The Europeans (like everyone else in the world) had to cope with the subsequent shocks. Surprise: the common European currency was also created to weather these economic storms. The euro is an important step for Europeans to free themselves from American dominance. Further steps towards liberation must follow, for example a savings and investment union.

In his article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on 14 March, Herfried Münkler argues for Europe's independence. Those who still cling to the dream of a united West must wake up quickly. In particular, German politics has made a fool of itself because ‘it has repeatedly backed the American horse’. The French proposals to Europeanise the armed forces and arms production to a greater extent have been rejected several times. Münkler's advice to German politicians: to hold Europe together, to ensure that it becomes a politically capable actor and to establish a European high command for the national armed forces. This should be made possible by ties of varying strength, with more extensive duties going hand in hand with greater rights. – INCLUDING BONUS MATERIAL!

What is the most important thing in life? Trust! And that is also the most important thing in politics and economics. After the latest antics of its president, US politics can no longer be trusted. We have never been able to trust the autocrats in Russia and China. So the EU is now becoming a beacon of democracy and the rule of law in which people around the world can place their trust. Europe's finest hour is now.

Inevitably, the Europeans are making noticeable progress in matters of common security and defence. This is something that many citizens have wanted for decades. However, naive illusions about the state of the world have prevented this, as have national inertia. Sad but true: ‘master strategist’ Putin and the political will-o'-the-wisp Trump are unintentionally but significantly helping to accelerate this development.

Europe is under enormous military, political and economic pressure. Precisely because the situation is difficult, there is also cause for hope. To overcome the current challenges, we need new ideas, such as the so-called ‘28th regime’ or the Europe-wide corporation EU Inc. for start-ups. A Europe-wide petition is currently running for this. The EU must deliver now, there will be no second chance.

On 9 September 2024, Mario Draghi (who needs no introduction) presented his report ‘The future of European competitiveness’. According to the report, the tasks ahead are'huge‘, and so are the financial requirements. To cover these, one of his proposals was the'issue of a common secure asset’. (The term EU bonds is not mentioned at this point). (1) This would also serve, according to Draghi, as a central building block for the development of an investment and savings union. And that is what the following is about.

Europeans' scientific and technical achievements are often monetised elsewhere. This not only leaves taxpayers and employees at a disadvantage – Europe's autonomy is also threatened. This must change as a matter of urgency, according to the European start-up associations and European stock exchanges, which are sounding the alarm in a joint statement.

"The choice comes down to whether we will be shaped by events and the world around us or whether we will come together and build our future for ourselves." (1) So said Ursula von der Leyen at the beginning of her speech on 18 July 2024, in which she applied for a second term as President of the European Commission. Taking the future into their own hands - this is exactly what a number of European banks and savings banks are doing with their European Payments Initiative (EPI). In offering the digital wallet wero, they want to provide a standardised solution for all payment transactions across Europe.

The European elections have left me somewhat perplexed. I have been thinking about this since 9 June. There are many reasons for the electoral success of populist-authoritarian parties. The following reflections - with a view to Germany - are about the responsibility of the parties and the individual in a democracy.

Sometimes the most interesting things happen right under our noses and we don't realise it. Or do you remember the Conference on the Future of the EU? It ended almost exactly two years ago, on 9 May 2022, and thousands of citizens were involved. What were the results, were they realised - and what can we learn from it?

The realisation of the Capital Markets Union is currently on the European and national political agenda. President Macron mentioned it as a key building block for the future in his speech at the Sorbonne on 25 April 2024. Christophe Braouet explains the importance of the Capital Markets Union in an interview with Eurolandpost.

As a result of the war in Ukraine, Europe is starting to build its own powerful defence industry. And this is just one of many steps that will lead to more independence for the EU in politics and economics. More sovereignty also means more democracy.

For weeks there have been demonstrations in Germany against the "right" or "extreme right". The consequences are not all positive: They can even increase social polarisation and do little to solve the problem.

There are so-called Hallelujah Europeans who believe that Europe's nation states can be dispensed with in the foreseeable future. To bank on this would be a serious political mistake. For it could endanger European integration itself. That, in turn, would not be in the interest of the citizens at all. For national and European politics to serve the people, however, one important prerequisite must be in place - democracy.

"Spitzenkanditat" and "Schicksalsgemeinschaft", two German words that appeared in the European debate a few years ago. Not without reason ...

A "zone" has no political will. That is why Eurolandpost speaks of the euro area or Euroland. Because every political entity needs people who stand behind it. This is not only true for communities or nations. It also applies to Euroland. What could be the contribution of the citizens for the joint success of Euroland?