Markus Patberg
The Conference on the Future of Europe aims to produce proposals for EU ureform in a participatory manner. Yet, writes Markus Patberg, its setup suggests top-down steering, and lacks a clear conception of democratic authorisation. The envisaged forms of broad but unsystematic inclusion might even be counterproductive to the declared goal of empowering citizens Read more
Benjamin Leruth
A new European party, Volt, debuted in the Tweede Kamer following last week's Dutch elections. The party faces challenges, but it could play a role in domestic political landscapes throughout Europe, writes Benjamin Leruth Read more
Christel Koop
Often labelled technocratic and expertise-driven, the Commission’s ‘unelected bureaucrats’ in fact take public opinion seriously. When facing crises, the Commission uses agenda-priorities to respond to citizens’ cues, write Christel Koop, Christine Reh and Edoardo Bressanelli Read more
Maria Thürk
Minority governments are generally disdained in most parts of Europe. They're seen as a second choice to majority governments which are assumed to be more stable and effective in policy-making. Yet, argue Maria Thürk and Svenja Krauss, there is more than type of ‘minority government’. Some variants can match majority governments in both stability and effectiveness Read more
Jonathan Polk
Political parties are the mainstay of our democracy – but do they adapt to changes in public opinion? In new research, Raimondas Ibenskas and Jonathan Polk reassure us that they do Read more
