Union of European Federalists | Meetings and debates

On the basis of the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which highlighted citizens' awareness of the need for a strong and democratic Europe, the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has drawn up a draft reform of the Treaties that takes up the demands of citizens and federalists and paves the way for the creation of a true federal state. LINK DOCUMENT

This is a unique opportunity to transform the Union from an organisation still hostage to the member states into a democratic and federal union, an opportunity that we Federalists must not miss. The debate focuses on the main features of the AFCO Report and on the possible outcomes of the opening of a Convention and it is introduced by:

• Giulia Rossolillo, Professor of the European Union Law at the University of Pavia (Italy) and Rapporteur of the Political Commission 1 of the Federal Committee
• Helmut Scholz, MEP and Co-Rapporteur of the AFCO Report on the proposed reform of the EU Treaties

This event wants to investigate such issues and create awareness on these topics. Moreover, the challenges represented by new technologies embody a growing concern for international security: from the safety of the electoral process, to the new usages of the A.I. for new warfare technologies represent matters of study and policy for elected officials and stakeholders in Europe.The cybersecurity discourse became a central citizens' experience: from the protection of private data, the relationship with hi-tech giants, to the protection of fairness of the electoral system, our societies, national and European institutions are called to extra efforts to guarantee a safe environment for citizens' life and secure environment.It opens new frontiers in protecting personal liberties and domestic security (e.g. public institutions and company safety). A.I. and cybersecurity constitute new challenges for contemporary societies.Distinguished speakers:

• Brando Benifei MEP, Rapporteur on AI regulation

• Eva Lichtenberger, former MEP, Vice-President of UEF Austria

• Knut André Sande, Member of the Executive Board of JEF-Europe

• Moderated by Carlo Maria Palermo, Chair of the PC3 on Foreign and Security Policy

The EU's rule of law mechanism at work: the sharpest tool in the box?

During the UEF Federal Commitee meeting in Brussels, the Political Commission 2 proposed a Panel Debate about the current state of play with special regard to the case of Hungary and the possible scenarios for implementing the rule of law mechanism.

This exchange was the occasion to assess the relevance of the rule of law mechanism in the European Union’s endeavours to safeguard democracy.

Panellists has presented the political state of play in the member states in light of the exercise of the mechanism and propose an outlook on the (near) future for democracy in Europe.

Finally, participants have tried to identify solutions to reverse the democratic backslide at play in some member states, drawing examples from Hungary. Panellists include:

• Simona Constantin, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Vice-President Věra Jourová, European Commission

• Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Member of the European Parliament

• Peter Heil, Policy Director for the Hungarian Democratic Coalition Delegation (S&D), European Parliament

Moderator: Eszter Nagy, President of the UEF Hungary and rapporteur of the UEF’s Political Commission on Rule of Law.

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The Union of European Federalists, in collaboration with the European Parliament's Intergroup The Spinelli Group, is delighted to invite you to an Evening Debate on European sovereignty. The very concept of sovereignty has become problematic in an interdependent world where many issues are beyond the control of states. Therefore, the question of where sovereignty rests and how to guarantee it to citizens is intertwined with the European project. States show to be unable to act effectively in many fields of public life. Their desire to maintain exclusive control of sovereignty at the national level has become obsolete and contradictory. It becomes even clearer as the idea of empires re-emerges on the world stage and considering the attempts against democracy in the Western countries, as recent American and European political events show. How can Europe ensure that its citizens can “take back control” over their destiny and the governance of major issues? What is the federalist approach to sovereignty? Can new European Treaties change the way sovereignty is shared? Ultimately, where does European sovereignty lie? To answer these questions, we invited:

• Gabriele BISCHOFF MEP (S&D), board member of the Spinelli Group;

• Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD MEP (Greens/EFA), Board member of the Spinelli Group ;

• Sandro GOZI MEP (Renew), President of the UEF, Chairman of the Spinelli Group;

• Nicolas LERON, Associate researcher at the Cevipof and OFCE, Sciences Po Paris. Author of Souveraineté, l'obsession des nations;

The Union of European Federalists is delighted to invite you to our joint event Is there a German EU Policy?, co-organised with the local sections Europa Union Frankfurt, UEF Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes & Lyon, MFE Sezione di Milano. When the three parties of the German "Traffic Light Coalition" joined to form the current government last year, they agreed to push for a federal Europe. Looking at the reality of 2022, this seems forgotten. Germany faces criticism by many observers who see it focused on pursuing a supposed national interest, while ignoring European partners.

Input by Dr. Johannes Lindner

Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at Hertie School of Governance

The number of “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Practice” (SLAPP) against journalists, civil society actors and other people active in the public sphere is on the rise in Europe.

Resource-rich individuals, organisations and public authorities bring proceedings in relation to public participation that are fully or partially unfounded in order to silence their critics. These lawsuits restrict the liberty of speech and democracy in Europe. Fighting SLAPP is an important contribution to protecting European values and preserving European democracy.

The European Commission has adopted a recommendation and a legislative proposal for a directive to protect journalists, civil society actors and other people against SLAPP. This will enable judge to dismiss manifestly unfounded lawsuits, force plaintiffs to cover the costs for court proceeding and pay compensation for damages and foresees additional protective measures. While the Commission proposal is quite advanced, much will depend on Member States’ due implementation of the new provisions, once they are in force. The EESC’s opinion on the Commission proposal is currently under discussion.

Welcome

• Anna ECHTERHOFF, Secretary-General of the Union of European Federalists

• Tomasz WRÓBLEWSKI, EESC Rapporteur on the “Initiative against abusive litigation targeting journalists and rights defenders”, Adviser, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

Panellists

• Tomasz WRÓBLEWSKI, EESC Rapporteur on the “Initiative against abusive litigation targeting journalists and rights defenders”, Adviser, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers

• Christian MOOS, Secretary-General of Europa-Union Deutschland (German section of UEF) and EESC Co-Rapporteur on the “Initiative against abusive litigation targeting journalists and rights defenders”

• Camille PETIT, Communications & Project Officer, European Federation of Journalists

Moderator

• Julian PLOTTKA, University of Passau and University of Bonn

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Political Commission 3 (PC3) of the UEF Federal Committee (UEF FC) is on Common Foreign and Security Policy. The PC3 has created a room for debate among Federal Committee members, National Section representatives, Executive Board on ongoing dramatic situation in Ukraine.

Speakers were:

• Carlo Maria Palermo, Chair of PC3

• Sandro Gozi, MEP and President of UEF

• Hanna Shelest, Director of Security Programmes, Foreign Policy Council "Ukrainian Prism", Odessa

• Prof. Dimitrios Triantaphyllou, Deputy