Election 2024: Meeting people's expectations
On 6 and 9 June 2024, the European elections will be held to renew the composition of the Parliament after a mandate characterised by the management of numerous crises, including Covid and the war in Ukraine. The parliamentary term that is drawing to a close also saw the establishment of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which mobilised several thousand citizens and led to the drafting of concrete proposals that the Council of the Union has not yet acted on, despite a resolution by the Parliament.
UEF Europe, UEF France, Mouvement européen - France and Jeunes Européens - France are joining forces to organise a conference to prepare for the election campaign.
To combat abstention and the rise of nationalism, our associations are convinced of the need to provide a high-quality debate on European issues and, in particular, to propose a vision for the Europe of 2050.
This major event in Paris will bring together local, national and European elected representatives to discuss European issues, in particular
- A Europe that promotes peace and ensures its security and values: with Mercedes Bresso and Fabienne Keller, MEPs
- A Europe capable of welcoming new members: with Frédéric Petit, Member of the European Parliament
- A Europe capable of welcoming new members: with Frédéric Petit, MEP
- Europe with the means to finance its policies and conduct an economic policy with Valérie Hayer and Aurore Lalucq, MEPs
- The event will include a concluding round table on ‘Building Europe to prepare for 2050’, with contributions from Christophe Chabrot, lecturer in public law at Lyon 2 University and member of the UEF Scientific Council, as well as Brando Benefei, Gwendoline Delbos Corfield, Guy Verhofstadt and Domenec Ruiz Devesa.
You can register now to make sure you have a place and can take part!
REPORT
Original report in French by UEF France
A look back at the European Dialogue on 2 December ‘Election 2024: Meeting citizens’ expectations’.
On 2 December 2023, the Union of European Federalists and UEF France, Young Europeans and the European Movement hosted a European Dialogue at Europa Experience in Paris focusing on the 2024 European elections and how to meet citizens' expectations. After a welcome by Sandrine Amiel from the European Parliament Representation in France, the presidents and spokespersons of the associations Chloé Fabre, Marie Trelat and Laure Niclot introduced the discussions, which were moderated by Aurore Laloux, president of Jeunes européens Paris.
The first round table gave Frédéric Petit, Mercedes Bresso and Valérie Hayer the opportunity to address key issues relating to the future of Europe: the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU budget and welcoming new Member States.
Issues for the Future of Europe
-* Frédéric Petit, Député des Français de l’Étranger
Frédéric Petit raised an essential question: is Europe capable of enlarging while respecting democratic values and the rule of law? Comparing European expansion to the formation of a family, he stressed the need to understand the ‘why’ of enlargement and the will behind it.
Analysing existing models, Mr Petit distinguished between imperialism and cooperation, stressing that the EU, while successful, is not the first model in history. Historical examples such as the Republic of Yale Vodine were cited, highlighting the challenges of language, armed forces and borders. The deputy pleaded for Europe's capacity to adapt and enlarge, stressing that this was an inescapable necessity.
-* Mercedes Bresso, Member of the European Parliament
Mercedes Bresso highlighted the EU's crisis management and the growing need for strategic autonomy, particularly in the context of relations with NATO. She underlined the creation of the strategic defence compass in 2021 and the need to structure the States into a confederal area for a common and coherent voice.
Ms Bresso also addressed development aid policy, proposing that it be transformed into a strategic partnership for co-development.
She called for an effective response from Member States to meet the major challenges expected by citizens, making Europe a significant global player.
The EU's budgetary challenges
-* Valérie Hayer, Member of the European Parliament
Valérie Hayer stressed the need to strengthen the EU budget (currently 1% of European GDP) to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. She pointed to the current imbalance where state contributions dominate EU funding, creating a negotiating mechanism that traps everyone in the hands of the Member States.
Ms Hayer highlighted the significant advances made, in particular the adoption of the Next Generation EU recovery plan in 2020, which has led to the creation of a common debt and the prospect of own resources. The plastic contribution is one of the first measures to be taken. She also highlighted the institutional challenges posed by the need for unanimity in the decision-making process, arguing for the necessary reform of the Treaties.
Towards a more democratic, efficient and united Europe in 2050
-* Christophe Chabrot, lecturer in Public Law at Lyon II, member of the UEF Scientific Council
Mr Chabrot spoke of the crucial role of the European Parliament as the chamber of European unity and democracy, which federalists have succeeded in having elected by direct universal suffrage. He underlined the current challenges, such as the emergence of new political divisions and the strengthening of the extreme and nationalist right in Europe. He stressed the need for a new European narrative to combat these extremes.
Mr Chabrot encouraged reflection on how to make the European Parliament more powerful while preserving the diversity of opinions. He opened the way towards a stronger political Europe, highlighting the fundamental issues of democracy and treaty reform.
A manifesto for the European elections
The afternoon concluded with a presentation of the Manifesto for the European elections put forward by the three associations, which structures the proposals around 5 axes:
For a more democratic Europe ready to welcome new members
For a Europe that provides social support for the ecological transition
For a Europe that gives itself the means to act
For a Europe capable of asserting itself as a global player and working for peace
For a Europe of solidarity, an area of freedom, capable of managing migration to provide a dignified welcome