In recent times there has been a rather surprising resurgence in federalist sentiments in the pronouncements of several European leaders. Since the financial crisis took hold in 2008 European leaders have continued to cry for "more Europe". Their actions however have often moved in the opposite direction. This was never more clear than when several member states openly challenged the Schengen...  

As the political leaders are striving to find ways to take EU citizens out of the current economic crisis, it appears that one of the solutions to do that is by having “more Europe”, i.e. stronger economic and political integration. Moreover, an increasing number of high-profile politicians use expressions such as “United States of Europe” or “European Governance” as the way forward. While it is...  

Should we have a single seat for the European Parliament? The paragraph 127 included in the Multi-annual framework for 2014-2020 voted in June plenary session proposed to stop plenary sessions in Strasbourg (11 to 12 times a year) and to make Brussels the single seat of the EP. Can we afford to keep a EUR 200 million a year symbol? How did your MEP vote? We talk about this vote with Doru from the...  

This time our programme is entirely dedicated to the debate on the democratic legitimacy of the European Parliament. How can we fill the gap between citizens and European politics? With Doru Frantescu from the NGO votewatch.eu we first talk about a new tool developed by votewatch.eu enabling European citizens to better understand the European legislative process: Vote Match. Then we focus on the...  

In 1979, the European Parliament achieved its first major democratic breakthrough with the direct election of its members by European citizens. A few days ago, one of its members, the Irish liberal Andrew Duff, attempted to take a new step on democracy path with the publication of a report that calls for the Parliament to hold transnational elections. With this proposal Duff has breathed new life...  

How do the MEPs vote after Lisbon Treaty? Is the legislative process transparent enough? With Doru Frantescu member of the NGO Votewatch.eu we try to shed a light on Votewatch.eu's third six-monthly report (see the website ), looking at the activities of the 2009-14 European Parliament. In the second part of our program, we debate on transparency and communication towards european citizens as...  

Zita Gurmaï, hungarian socialist rapporteur on the European Citizens' Initiative has granted us an interview to make this new right clearer. Criteria, role of the European Parliament, fears etc. we deal with all the topics at stake. This initiative is a great challenge for the European Union and a great hope for Generation 112. The democratic deficit is very often emphasized by those who...  

In the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the liberal ALDE group, Green/EFA group co-chair Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Sylvie Goulard(ALDE, France) and Isabelle Durant current Parliament Vice-President Isabelle Durant (Greens/EFA; Belgium) presented the 15th of September the creation of the Spinelli group. A way to relaunch federalism within the EU. Who said European Union is only about...