Sergio Fabbrini
Charles Michel had agreed to stand down early as President of the European Council so he could run for the European Parliament. Recently, however, he changed his mind. Sergio Fabbrini argues this highlights the disadvantages of the EU multiple presidency system, leaving the EU without a single representatives of its interests Read more
Franziskus von Lucke
Scholars and the media often portray the ongoing polycrisis as undermining the EU’s self-understanding. This has led observers to describe the EU as an ‘anxious community’. But Franziskus von Lucke and Thomas Diez find that, on the contrary, EU actors remain surprisingly confident. While this may look like a positive finding, the authors argue that the EU needs more, not less, anxiety to deal successfully with current and future challenges Read more
Diogo Vieira Ferreira
European (transnational) political parties have suffered from a lack of political influence in the European Union. Diogo Vieira Ferreira argues that dealing with the EU’s democratic deficit requires higher political (party) competition at the EU level. The direct suffrage of MEPs via transnational lists is an embryonic but required step Read more
Martin Westlake
The new President of the European Parliament, Maltese Roberta Metsola, was elected as a continuity candidate of the centre-right. Yet, argues Martin Westlake, her election also marks a shift to the young, the left and the south, by a gifted politician who will surely leave her mark A breath of fresh air On 18 January […] Read more
Christine Neuhold
Does the European Union have a democratic problem? Here, Christine Neuhold summarises a lively debate that aims to tackle this question. The EU’s democratic deficit dominates discussion, but citizen participation is now being trialled through the innovative Conference on the Future of Europe Read more
Andrea Capati
The Italian Five Star Movement is considering joining the ‘Socialists and Democrats’ grouping in the European Parliament. Andrea Capati and Marco Improta argue that this pro-Europeanist turn owes much to the party’s recent experience in government. It also marks a further stage in the ‘normalisation’ of the Five Star Movement Read more
Stefano Braghiroli
The EU has activated a Covid recovery package worth a staggering €672.5 billion. Observers focus on the role of European capitals, inter-governmental institutions, and the European Commission's coordinating role in delivering it. Yet, argues Stefano Braghiroli, we shouldn't ignore the role of the European Parliament... Read more
