The New Federalist

Europe invests

Already during the campaign to the European parliamentary elections in 2014 the lead candidate of the European People‘s Party complained about the lack of investments in Europe and the imbalance of a sole austerity policy. Now as President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker tries to fix the imbalance with his new investment policy. Doing so he pushes the limits of his possibilities and responsibilities. Critics say he is exceeding them.

Sunday 6 December 2015

The Children of the Refugee Crisis in Hungary

In our first of a new TNF initiative to use infographics in order to break down complex but interesting issues, Anna Wilson has covered the refugee crisis in Hungary. Please send feedback to tnf at jef.eu, on the format and/or the article.

Friday 4 December 2015

JEF Official Statement on COP21

“A united European approach is essential to COP21”: JEF Europe calls for Europe to take the lead in Climate Negotiations

Monday 30 November 2015

Refugees should not be blamed for the Paris attacks

The perverse logic of the actions of the terrorist group calling itself the ’ Islamic State ’ provokes fear and helplessness in the societies that are subjected to their attacks. In Europe after the attacks of Friday the 13th November in Paris, hopelessness and fatalism were the dominant emotions. Following days of shock and mourning, the most probable reaction by French society (and Europe) will be intense discussion and intolerant and xenophobic practices against immigrants and refugees living on the continent – the majority of whom, it is important to emphasise, are Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who have fled their countries as a result of the same terrorist group.

Sunday 29 November 2015

Interview: Sir Richard Lambert on Economics and the EU Referendum

With the majority of the UK’s IN campaign arguing the economic benefits of EU membership, we ask renowned British economist, Sir Richard Lambert whether the country’s finances really are as important as campaigners would have us believe.

Saturday 28 November 2015

The Dutch Ukraine referendum: the federalist predicament

The JEF Netherlands Board presents its position on the Ukraine referendum and discusses the current Dutch political spectrum. As a political organisation campaigning on European issues, we believe we should embrace the chance to discuss European affairs while defending against the debate becoming subverted by populist and propagandist voices.

Friday 27 November 2015

Demand #2: Restriction of EU migrant rights

After the much-anticipated publication of his demands for EU reform, it is now clear that one of David Cameron’s key demands is that all migrants wishing to come to the UK most have a job lined up before being allowed in to the UK.

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Mutual defence - from words to action

Just days after the terrorist attacks in Paris, France called for help from other EU member states, referring to the ”mutual defence” clause which can be found in the Lisbon Treaty. Four days after the tragic events which prompted the press to write headlines like ”War in the middle of Paris” ("La guerre en plein Paris"), EU defence ministers made a unanimous decision to activate the clause.

Tuesday 24 November 2015

Brexit: the United Kingdom sets its conditions

After Catalonia, it is the turn of Great Britain to undermine the European balance. David Cameron has made official his conditions for staying in the European Union. The stakes are high: if these paths for reform are approved by the European partners, Cameron is committed to vote to stay in the Union during the upcoming referendum.

Saturday 21 November 2015

Gains for Cameron and ECR allies all over Europe

Cameron and his ECR group in the European parliament would face a considerable increase in seats if there was a European parliament election tomorrow. The share of votes of the ECR would rise three points up to 12 percent, which would be the highest level for the conservative euro-sceptic parties since 1989. The euro-sceptic parties profit from their anti-liberal immigration policy in the refugee crises.

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Demand #1 - Ever Closer Union

One of David Cameron’s conditions in his letter to Donald Tusk last week is an opting out from the clause “Ever Closer Union”. This implies a formal disengagement of the UK from participating in the integration process and on the other hand that the country wants an “à la carte” relationship with the rest of the EU without any formal obligation to participate in the European Project as leading towards a political Union.

Tuesday 17 November 2015

COP 21 - negotiating the future of planet Earth

The number of fascinating Europe-related events held in Helsinki is high this autumn. One important topic that I’ve recently learned about at a public discussion is the upcoming Paris climate conference, called COP 21. Maria Vuorelma, Senior Officer at the Finnish Ministry of the Environment and Hanna Aho who works as an expert at the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation had been invited to give their thoughts on what can be expected from the conference which will take place in early December.

Sunday 15 November 2015
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