A new vision for Europe: where should the EU be heading?

Participants

• Katalin Cseh, MEP, Momentum, Vice President, Renew Europe
• Claudia Gamon, MEP, NEOS, Renew Europe
• Ivan Vejvoda, Acting Rector, IWM

Moderator: Zsuzsanna Szelényi, former Member of Parliament, Hungary.

Background

For several decades, the mission of the European Union was to secure peace and stability on the continent by creating a consensus-based, pluralist democratic system. This productive environment helped the countries of Europe build a long-lasting economic and social progress and prosperity for their citizens. This situation has changed over time. Since 2008, multiple crises aggravated internal conflicts among the member states and pointed out the weaknesses of the European Union within the global arena. For the EU to continue to provide peace, stability and prosperity for its citizens, a brave new vision is necessary for the European project. This is a real challenge in a time when the European political arena is getting more polarized and fragmented. This panel discussed whether a compelling new vision for the European Union is possible that brings together the majority of its citizens and political forces.

Main takeaways

• Europe can be stronger, but climate change, the threat of a pandemic or the refugee issue will stay, and countries will have to
• The past has been proven that collaboration is key and being sovereign cannot resolve
• The European Union must grow up to the challenges it
• Europe’s history has showed that Europe always becomes stronger trough
• The pandemic situation shows that EU already arrived to points in the joint European
• If Europe cannot be able to reform itself to an entity that is able to react strongly, quickly to the global challenges then EU will not meet the expectations of the citizens.
• The pandemic has been a catalyst for the EU, because once something is needed change can happen soon.
• European integration is not Europe is diverse and have different interests – but that is why it is so beautiful!
• The rule of law question must be a priority, because it has an influence on the political decisions (taxes, climate change etc.) and is the criterion for the EU to
• Democracy must reinvent every day, it’s not

Policy recommendations

• Joint action on a day-to-day level.
• Must overcome our historical baggage and divisions.
• Strengthen common values.
• Use qualified majority voting.

(The panel was organized in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom)