This time I’m voting: In the 2014 European Parliament elections, only 42.6% of all eligible voters cast their votes, representing the lowest voter turnout so far. With the 2019 European Parliament elections due to take place in May, how can the EU prompt an increase in the participation rate in all Member States?
The Spanish Puzzle: Two years after the heated Catalan Independence Referendum, the Spanish government confronts the narrative of the Catalan separatist leaders, who deem Spanish democracy as not meeting European criterias. Ahead of the 2019 European Parliament elections, how can the EU ensure an equitable result for the two involved parties, whilst protecting their interests?
Between “us” and “them”: Following the 2018 religious persecution of Asia Bibi in Pakistan because of blasphemy laws, more than 230 parliamentarians from Member States have written an open letter to the Pakistani Prime Minister, expressing their request for the government to release the woman. What further steps should the EU take in order to protect the right to religious freedom worldwide?
Aging beautifully: As Europe’s population continues to age significantly, fiscal costs linked to pensions, health care and long-term care are expected to rise over the coming decades, shows The 2018 Ageing Report. With the old-age dependency ratio in the EU projected to increase from 29.9% in 2017 to 52.3% by 2080, how can the EU improve the efficiency of long time care systems?
The building blocks of society: The Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU has declared the enforcement of the European Pillar of Social Rights as one of its main objectives during its term. With the purpose of delivering new and more effective rights to its citizens, what policies should the EU adopt in terms of providing equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion?
(Wo)men in tech: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned in a recent report that barriers to access, education and skills, as well as socio-cultural biases are responsible for the digital gender divide that is holding back women’s participation in the digital economy. How can the EU address the need for a collective response to the digital gender gap?
Yellow Vest Movement: Even though France has been enjoying a reputation for having a generous social safety net that provides well for the least fortunate, months of Yellow Vest unrest have highlighted that many French citizens live in lingering economic uncertainty. How should the French government and the EU tackle the problems raised by the ongoing protests in order to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens?