The New Federalist

JEF Official Statement on Paris Attacks

“There is no better answer to hatred than fraternity.” JEF Europe condemns Paris attacks

Saturday 14 November 2015

#WeAreUnited

Europe has been shocked yet again by another callous, cold, and calculated attack on its values and its freedom. To the people of Paris, all that we can say is that we are sorry, and that we remain united.

Saturday 14 November 2015

A European Aspiration

Europe is divided against itself. While the migration crisis has taken the spotlight, the rift between Northern Europe and Southern Europe is still a very real problem. What do these two halves of Europe share aside from a geographic continent? And how should European Federalists try to fight the divisions in Europe?

Monday 9 November 2015

Predicting the EU’s future with European Movement Finland

A while ago, I wrote about the event organised by European Movement Finland where the impact of Jean Monnet and Altiero Spinelli on European integration was discussed. The event was a part of a series of EU-related discussions. The second event of the series featured Tapio Raunio, Professor in Political Science from the University of Tampere and Petros Fassoulas, the Secretary General of European Movement International.

Sunday 8 November 2015

The Volkswagen scandal: A new challenge for the EU?

After economic uncertainty and the migrant crisis, a new sensitive issue is about to undermine the EU: the environment. The revelation of the Volkswagen scandal, joined to the recent decision of the EU Parliament (EP) of not opening an inquiry into the scandal significantly jeopardise the stability and coherence of the European Institutions. Once again, the European Union is at stake.

Friday 6 November 2015

Poland fires against climate goals

Already a few days after the election of the Polish Parliament (Sejm) the strong headwinds from Polish nationalists against international climate protection goals are noticeable. This could not only weaken European ambitions but also endanger the UN climate conference in Paris more generally.

Wednesday 4 November 2015

European Sikhs’ request for Justice

Friday the 30th of October. It is past 12:30 pm when Master Karan Singh stands up on the wooden stage addressing not only the Sikh community coming from all around the world but also and above all speaking to anyone who can hear his words. Demanding tolerance and a recognition of Indian minorities, it is finally a peace demand that the hundreds of Sikhs call for in front of the Palace of Nations in Geneva. They came here from Italy, Spain, Germany, Canada, the USA... in order to protest against the injustice and discrimination of which their brothers in India are suffering.

Tuesday 3 November 2015

Vox Populi, Vox Europae? Why we need a common European legislation on referenda and why we need EU level referenda.

This year has been particularly challenging for democracy in the EU. Surely the Referendum in Greece on 5th of July regarding the Memorandum Agreement has been the highest point of this difficult year, which is going to end with another challenge. Some weeks ago a Dutch Eurosceptic platform managed to achieve enough signatures to trigger an advisory referendum on the EU-Ukraine.

Monday 2 November 2015

The European Perspective: Poland’s lurch to the right

The conservative right-wing party Law & Justice (PiS) has won the election. What does the victory of the party led by Jaroslaw Kaczyński mean for Poland’s relationship with the European Union? Below you can see the reactions of our respective Editors.

Thursday 29 October 2015

Federal Europe - utopia or real vision?

’Among peoples who are geographically grouped together like the peoples of Europe there must exist a sort of federal link. It is this link which I wish to endeavour to establish’ is a famous statement of Aristide Briand, Prime Minister of France during the French Third Republic and co-laureate of the 1926 Nobel Peace Prize. Even though nearly one century has lapsed since then, we have to say that this citation is still very current despite the relatively successful integration process on the old continent over the last sixty years.

Thursday 29 October 2015

Founding fathers’ heritage in today’s EU

I recently participated in an event organised by European Movement Finland where the heritage of EU founding fathers, particularly that of Jean Monnet and Altiero Spinelli, was discussed. At the event that took place in Helsinki, Teija Tiilikainen from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and Timo Miettinen from the Network for European Studies at the University of Helsinki shared their thoughts about the past and the present of the European Union. One of the main questions addressed by the speakers was, to what extent have the ideas of the founding fathers been put into practice?

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Polish Election Results

Tuesday 27th October, Polish PKW published the results of last Sunday’s legislative elections. With 61% of the Parliamentary seats the social conservative party PiS left behind its principal opposition, the outgoing party PO. Polish policy will therefore change entirely.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

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