News of Europe | 8/2023

Dear Federalists readers,
Welcome to this new edition of News of Europe, written from the southwest of France, undoubtedly the sweetest region of Europe.
We included this week a paragraph on the news of the UEF's national sections. Do not hesitate to contact us to be featured in future newsletters at secretariat@federalist.eu.
And now, your newsletter.

The European Parliament mourns the untimely death of Véronique Trillet-Lenoir. A well-respected lawmaker on health policies, Trillet-Lenoir was also a committed clinician. Her fight against cancer was well known—in her professional career as an oncologist, at the European Parliament as co-chair of the MEPs Against Cancer group and as rapporteur for cancer strategy, and personally. Politico has her portrait.

Spanish elections: what happens now? As the country assumes the Presidency of the European Union, Spain is exploring various possibilities for a coalition government. If no coalition gathers an absolute majority (176 out of 350 lawmakers), a simple majority vote will take place.
Far-right party Vox said last week it will support a minority government of the Popular Party (EPP affiliated), in a bid to avoid a socialist-led government with the support of separatists. Yet, commentators give current PM Pedro Sanchez the best chance at ruling the nation. 

Poland too is headed for elections. President Andrzej Duda announced that the general elections will take place on 15 October. Once again, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party will campaign on a eurosceptic platform. If you heard about the European Commission regulating the size of cucumbers, you will not be surprised to know that the PiS is now claiming the EU will soon forbid Polish citizens to pick mushrooms.

The European Union is paradoxical sometimes. Founded on the principles of the 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐚𝐰 and 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, some of the very top EU institutions are well known for their grand gesture for transparency while keeping opaque decision processes. In a recent case, the European Court of Justice ordered the Council of the EU to stop refusing access to legal assessments. EU law professor Laurent Pech asked for a Council document twice (back from 2018) before the Court agreed with his claim. We hope that this is the first in a series of actions to democratise access to top EU decisions.

News from the sections. The Movimento Federalista Europeo sent a letter to all the Italian parliamentarians to invite them to join the newly-created Informal Intergroup for Europe. The Intergroup will advocate for a Convention to reform EU treaties.

The UEF France continues publishing the video series of les entretiens fédéralistes. Watch them on their Youtube channel.

** Sections and partners of the UEF: send us your news to be featured here at secretariat@federalists.eu **

Thank you for reading this week's edition of The News of Europe.

As usual, you can leave a comment at this link.

Federalist regards,
 
Alexandre Météreau
on behalf of the UEF Secretariat