Europe, start voting now: Turnout in European Parliament elections is consistently lower than in other elections, with some Member States attracting less than 25% of the electorate to cast their European ballot. Moreover, as manifestos, candidates, and slogans are led by national parties, European elections are often seen only as a secondary arena for national politics. Minding these severe challenges to the democratic legitimacy of the European project, how can the EU promote active participation and truly European electoral debate?
A new Intifada?: Tensions between Israel and Palestine are on the rise, most recently in the wake of the United States decision to recognise Jerusalem as capital of Israel – a move set to diminish American mediation capacity. How can the EU ensure its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
More than meets the eye: mental health issues are by far the largest contributor to chronic conditions affecting the population of Europe, with over 27% of Europeans aged 18 to 65 having experienced at least one of a series of mental health issues in the past year. What measures should European states take to ensure support, care and ensure social integration is afforded to those struggling with mental health issues?
Use the Force: EU efforts in space research and satellite technology are of growing importance, yet they remain highly dependent on the facilities of external countries. Private sector endeavours are also on the rise, with Luxembourg among the first to declare that ‘space mining’ revenues should be the property of private contractors. How should the EU develop its strategy and role in the contemporary space race, and what stance should it take in the debate over countries’ and companies’ legal rights in space?
I have read and agree to the terms and conditions: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets out to ensure the rights of EU citizens through principles such as the ‘right to be forgotten’ and restrictions on companies storing personal data of EU citizens overseas. However, detailed interpretations of new laws are lacking, potentially leaving service providers with a lot of discretion in handling and storing personal data. How can the EU regulate data flows in a realistic way, protecting both the rights and freedoms of its citizens online and the openness of the internet?
Safety on board: In light of the 2015 Thalys train attack, and minding the recent tightening of travel safety regulations worldwide, how should the EU and its Member States improve security in cross-border passenger transport on land, sea, and air, without impeding the free movement of people within the Schengen Area?