May 10, 2024 • 32 mins
Join us in this episode of ALDA Podcast "Shades of Democracy," as we explore the significance of the EU Elections 2024 and their impact on the future of European democracy. Our distinguished guests, MEP Domènec Ruiz Devesa and Alexandre Météreau offer valuable insights into the complexities of the electoral process and the strategies needed to engage citizens effectively through civil society.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the upcoming elections and their implications for the European Union!
Useful links:
ALDA EU Elections Campaign #BetterEuropeTogether ➡️https://bit.ly/3yf9AJa
EU Elections 2024: All you need to know ➡️https://bit.ly/4dtGXIt
ALDA Newsletter ➡️https://bit.ly/44AF0ps
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the upcoming elections and their implications for the European Union!
Useful links:
ALDA EU Elections Campaign #BetterEuropeTogether ➡️https://bit.ly/3yf9AJa
EU Elections 2024: All you need to know ➡️https://bit.ly/4dtGXIt
ALDA Newsletter ➡️https://bit.ly/44AF0ps
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Hello, and welcome to a new insightful episode of all
the podcast Shades of Democracy. We are now delving into
the third season and ready to learn and grow together
in the following months. I'm Anas Media from the communication
team of al Dam and I will be your host.
Today we have an engaging discussion lined up discussing the
topic of the moment European Elections twenty twenty four. As
(00:44):
we approach a significant milestone in European democracy with the
upcoming EU elections in June twenty twenty four. We are
thrilled to have two distinguished guests joining us today. Their
perspectives will help us understand the importance of this momentous occasion.
Our first guest is Dominiquis tevisa member of the European
Parliament since twenty nineteen representing the Progressive Alliance of Socialists
(01:08):
and Democrats and President of the Union of European Federalists.
With his expertise and insights, will explore the intricacies of
the upcoming elections and their implications for the future of
European democracy. Joining us alongside is Alexandre Meco campaign and
communications officer Alda, the colleague in charge of the E
(01:29):
elections campaign together will uncover the significance of citizen engagement
and collaborative action in shaping a better Europe for all.
So without further ado, let's get started to explore the
diverse dimensions of the EU Elections twenty twenty four. First
of all, welcome Dominique and Alexandre. It's a pleasure to
have you both here with us today. So Dominique, I
(01:52):
will start with you and ask you if you can
share with our listeners your personal journey and motivation as
an MEP, but also as President of the Union of
European Federalists, particularly in relation to your commitment to the
topic of the You and the significance of the election.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Thank you first of all for the opportunity, of course,
for me since.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
A very.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I would say, young age, it was very fascinating the
idea of Europe, no idea of for the first time
in history a number of countries of peoples coming together
on a voluntary basis.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Of course, you can.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You can see history the projects of empire now, but
the You has been a voluntary project, project of free
association of countries to share a common destiny, to.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
To abolish the wars in you.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Certainly before nineteen forty five, the norm in Europe was war.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So this more than seventy years of peace that.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
We have in.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
The Uropean Union among the countries that are members of
the Union is actually quite unprecedented in history. So I
think this is a unique project in the history of mankind,
which it's worth all the efforts and all the troubles.
Whether you are an activist, you are, whether you're a
(03:35):
citizen or a policy maker.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Thank you very much for your answer. Indeed, I totally
share this fascination towards the idea of the European Union,
starting from a young age, indeed, and that's I think
what makes us all passionate about the You now, Alexander
to you, can you tell us a bit more about
how does you elections campaign? How does this campaign strategy
aim to engage and mobilize Europeans cs in the lead
(04:01):
up to the elections, and what tactics have proven to
be most effective in driving voter participation and awareness.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Yes, absolutely well. First of all, ALDA launched its campaign
for the European elections months ago. It's called Better Europe
Together and it has three main objectives. First of all,
to inform and engage citizens to go vote on six
to nine June of this year. Second objective is to
give more visibility to all that to its network of
(04:32):
members and partners, and finally to prepare for the next
legislature with advocacy efirst, coalition building and agenda setting in
the topics that ALDA cares about of cities and engagement.
Mostly the results so far are very positive. We organized
or partnered in more than sixty events and as we
(04:55):
speak we reached out to more than four thousand people
so far. So quite an interesting campaign. As for the results,
maybe too early to say if it's going to have,
I mean, what impact it will have finally on the
elections results. But what we've seen so far is that
(05:15):
we're trying to engage citizens at the local level. And
for instance, I was two weeks ago giving a presentation
in a school in Brussels, and it was very interesting
to see or to come not as a person to
present a lecture to them about the European Union and
the European elections, but rather to engage them in this discussion,
(05:38):
in this debate. And I was for instance giving a
little whuize you know, for them to interact with these
topics of the European elections, and I think these are
the really impactful ways to create a connection between the
European Union and the citizens. We need to show them
(05:59):
that they can get in.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Thank you Alexander and also for our listeners. For information
you will find in the caption below the link also
to our website on the European elections and the campaign
if you want to discover more. Now, Dominic, how do
you perceive the current state of democracy within the European Union?
So what are the issues the challenges facing Europe in
(06:23):
the upcoming elections? And also what is the credibility in
your opinion of the European Union in geopolitics at the moment.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
So many questions, but okay, I'm starting with the challenges
for democracy, probably the main challenges, specifically that in these elections,
if we don't do our work, I will say probably
(06:52):
as for democratic, democratic European political sources in the selection,
then we have see the increas the far right, maybe
potentially I hope not a possible alliance of the traditional
right with the far right after the elections.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
So this is I think the main challenge. Because Europe
has always been built since the beginning of the project,
since nineteen fifty.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
By the traditional right ideologies and families of the post
war Yeah, p STID Democrats, the Social Democrats, the liberals.
Now we have also agreed, of course at that time
they were not present, but they came later and now
the hours of them forced and the part of.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
See the the European Parliament.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
So we need to preserve in my view that in
the next election, after the next election, this this is
the the majority that remains in charge of Europe, because
then you have other political forces par people in the
c R and the which are too much to the
(08:20):
right in terms of reviews of human rights, views of
rights of women, rights of minorities, rights.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Of tb I.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Many of them brocald right.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Many of them also have our revisions approach to history
of regarding UH, you know UH and the remembrance that
we have in a lot in Europe, which is also
founded i would say, on entire fascism and a matter.
So it is really a lot different set of values.
(08:59):
And on top of that they are euroscautic or neurophobic,
and they really don't want to do strength and the
UPM project. So we can certainly, and you cannot give
the keys of the house to those that want to
ted it down. Now it's as simple as that. Then,
(09:20):
of course I'm on the pre Europeans. Some of us
are more to the left, might like myself. Some others
are more to listen to right, more liberal than others are,
like the strength and the technological dimension. This is good,
This is a more democratic politics and Europe is a
demographic space. But we really need to make sure that
(09:43):
those parties that are pro European and that, regardless of
whether the police is at the UPN level, have to
be more to the left or more to the right,
all of them. WI share the commitment to keep integrating Libro.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Thank you very much, and indeed I think what you
said it is really true and we should keep in
mind this symbolic sentence of keeping the keys to our
of our house very very close to us and not
giving them to whoever wants to destroy the house. And
another question for you, what role do you believe that
(10:19):
your elections play in shaping its future? And how can
policymakers address these challenges and engage voters effectively, which is
something that is perceived as a challenge especially in these
electoral times.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Well, they are very important, fully because the environment is
one of the main institutions of YEA, and in fact
it's the only directly elected and the citizens right and
therefore it's a fundamental importance precisely to participate and providing
(10:55):
the political direction of you.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
As I will saying.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
We have a majority, a center right majority in Europe,
then the policies will go in a certain direction.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
In the European Parliament. If we have a.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Center left now the majority ended, the accnnotations will be
more in the direction. First, we have the Council of
the European Union, which represents the governments.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
The Parliament represents the citizens.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
And as you know, in Europe, everything in terms of
legislation has to be approved by the two institutions, by
and by a man the Council. So the Parliament is
not a dogging job or or a consul that if.
But first we talk a lot of times because we
have debates, and obviously and we have also reports that
(11:48):
are original reports in terms of taking a position not
necessarily binding, but we we approved, we improved.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
More than night.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Percent legization, that is, or we adopt it comes in
more than ninety percent of the business of organization, and
you will be so. Of course, if you want to
have as a citizen, to have an influence in the process,
in the passive legislation in Europe, then your only opportunity
(12:23):
a bit.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Easier vote, Do you be Barrol, Because it's.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
There, We're we're going to see one or another majority
and emerging.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Thank you and yes to our listeners. As Dominic said,
go use your vote and make your voices heard because
they will be heard if you.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Vote, and you know someone else is going to decide.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
For you, exactly, don't let these other people decide for you, Alexander.
The next question is for you. So ALDA has been
actively collaborating with various partners, first of all with the
European Parliament, but also do LA they were in France
and in France to promote civic engagement and democracy. So
(13:09):
how do the partnerships enhance the impact of all those
campaign efforts?
Speaker 4 (13:14):
Absolutely well, it was a clear objective of the campaign
Better Europe Together from the start to work with our networks,
with our partners and members, because well, the more organization
you work with, the greater reach, and that's what we
want to do. We want to reach as many people
as possible to encourage them to vote and have an
(13:37):
impact in the elections. So ALDA is a member of
four or five campaigns at the European and local level.
There is for instance, yes with Society for Europe that
you mentioned in France, your hope with the Young Federalists,
and yeah, for every campaign, every event, there is a
possibility to reach more people, young people in rural areas,
(14:02):
people in Eastern Europe, et cetera. So of course we've
read we very much value this network and collaborative approach,
and you also mentioned it the ALDA is a communications
partner of the European Parliament for this campaign, and it
really shows that ALDA is a trusted partner for the
(14:22):
European institutions.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yes, definitely, we cannot advocate for voting for the European
Parliament while not working with them. Dominic So also connected
to what I just asked to Alexander, how do you
view the importance of collaborating with organizations like ALDER indeed
in promoting citizens engagement and democracy within the U elections
(14:44):
And how can MEPs like yourself leverage such partnerships to
amplify the impact of your advocacy efforts and ensure that
the vices of European citizens are heard, as we said,
and represented in the European Parliament.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Well, I think it's very important because in a democratic
society we need.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
To have a collaboration.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
It is very important we have a collaboration in the
Unban Parliament also because obviously no one has an absolute maturity,
so I think it's a good thing in the end.
So we need to agree a more political forces. Many
(15:30):
times we have acting events that go from left to right.
It's not from the central right to the center right.
Use we need these compromises not to adopt the legislation
and move forward. And that requires also that Parliament collaborates
with the organized civil society like all that.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Because this is an important part of democratic life.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
In my DA, the European social model is built around
the equilibrium of the balance of three things traditional the estate,
the market of the society right, and we can add
also now the environment. This is so in this regard
(16:20):
everything that we can do lose strengths in our collaboration
with organized CEE society like all that that are ply
would be and that you're promoting engagement and particularly of
the local entities in the democratic process in Europe.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
It's very important.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
This is why I myself, when I had the chances
of m B, I proposed a pilot project with your Commission,
which is called BELK with the europe Local Councilors, which
is precisely to establish a direct link between the municipalities
in Europe and the European Commision. And second to make
(17:01):
the municipalities, all of those that are willing to across
Europe the ambassadors of the European UNI in the territory.
These of course have to do with subsidiarity, the closest
level to the citizens of the municipalities and the.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Associations like like us.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
So this is I think the best way to connect
the European institutions with the citizens. If we look at
the old idea of personalism, and which is one of
the parents that were produced the fidelity, it is the
(17:47):
subsidiality which is not only between the levels of government
which is normal understood, and those of subsidiarity in regarding
the proper growth of the associations and society.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Thank you very much, And indeed, I mean the local
level is quite necessary because also like again not to
repeat myself, but boots come from the local level, and
since the European Parliament is an elected institution, this dimension
is not to be neglected in any way. Now, Alexander,
(18:26):
looking ahead, what are all the aspirations and priorities for
continuing its work in promoting Democristian civic engagement beyond the elections,
And how can interested individuals and organizations get involved with
our initiatives and contribute to advance in the mission of
building a better Groupe together.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Well, the way I see it, the campaign Better Europe Together,
it's a start. It's a first attempt well, of course
talking about the European elections, but also to yeah, give
visibility to the core topics that we care about that
you mentioned, and of course after that we want to
(19:08):
influence the next legislature, the next European Parliament, the next
European Commission. We want to put at the top of
the agenda these topics of democracy, civic engagement, cities in participation,
human rights etc. At the top of the agenda. And
right after the elections, we will have greater advocacy efforts,
(19:29):
more targeted towards the policy makers and to the listeners
to the podcast. If there are organizations individuals that are
willing to work with ELDA, whether being for the European elections,
if they have the project, well I strongly recommend them
that they get in touch with ALDA, possibly register first
to Elder newsletter and the communications tools that we have already,
(19:52):
but also to contact us. Contact ALDA, tell us hey,
we have a project, is all that interested you help,
et cetera, and we will be very much well looking
forward to help you with that, So don't hesitate. And
for citizens individual people, well, first of all I would
(20:14):
say go vote. That's the best impact you can have.
And of course if you want to engage at your
local level, well ALDA is always going to stand with
the people that engage in their local communities.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Exactly, we're here and if you contact us, you will
definitely reach us. So you find again all of our
contexts below here. Dominique, one last big question for you,
how do you believe we can effectively raise awareness among
European citizens about proposed treaty changes and there are potential
(20:51):
implications for the future of the you considering the complexity
of legal and institutional reforms, what strategies do you think
policy makers and civil society organizations can employ to ensure
that citizens are informed and engaged in discussions or surrounding
treaty amendments.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Indeed, it is a very important topic that could appear
as dry.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
You start talking about reforming the treaty and it's like what.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
Sounds like a class of constitutional law or something like
that now and something that is not really like affecting
the lives of people and the debats.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Obviously, we are worried that we work at the same
time obviously the challenges of your creation of the environment
and sugar production and housing and all that.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
But it is true that we need to reform the
treaty after.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
The direction, and I think if you want to understand
that's what we want. We do a good communication to
the people that we have issues like the problems in
detail in the Council. That has to be a result
(22:09):
of everyone understands without the need to have a master
in European affairs or the national relation or on European
law that if you have a club of twenty seven
which potentially can be thirty five, that only one is
able to block the decision for the entire body.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Well, this is a decision. I remember a Belgian.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Politician that said within anymity, not even my family can work.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
So I think this is.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
What we have to explain that we have still some
very important decisions that as you have to make in
order to provide security for Europeans, like foreign obviously like security,
but also the question of avoiding tax havens in develope
and tax competition and fair tax for petition that we
(23:09):
need to move our way from a need.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
So this is something that they think we can make
people understand.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
And secondly, as you said, the city sense have as
the main challenge of participation and expression. The election, not
the only one, but the name I would say is
the election to the Uban.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
But the European Parliament still doesn't.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Have all the all the proper powers that you should
have a more real parliament, I can say, and you
have more party with the United States. So this is
also I would say, the self interest of city sense
that the parliament has the additional powers.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Because the citizens will also have more influence and we
represent the cities. What am I talking about.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I'm talking about the the the possibility to propose legislation
that department doesn't have dispossibilities only excepting a few cases,
very few pages to or free.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
In everything else, it's only.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
The Commission that can propose legislation the parlier Council. And secondly,
we still don't have equal powers with the Council and
the body that represents the government.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
When it comes to taxation.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
When it comes to how we find a finance the
budget and the new badget, basically there is anomally because
we can decide and we decide about the expenditures in
the budget, not about the revenues. So how we finance
this expend which is very i think from a democratic
point of view, very difficult to explain. So for for
(24:52):
these things there are other reasons, but this remains we
need to do to adult and you and you treat
it about the strategy. Of course, it's not an easy
thing to do because you need to convince the European
Council to open the question of the new dread. We
(25:12):
have done a lot in the Parliament after the Confidence
of the Future of Europe, which was pointed in the
same direction. We approved last November able reporting with amendments
to the treaties.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
So half of the work is done or a third
of the world.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
And now the proposal is on the table of the
European Council and they have to make a decision on
our and in this phase the decision is not so
complicated because you already require a simple majority to open
the convention, so for the member states out of twenty seven,
so I think I think this is doable. We need
(25:48):
also to do pressure on the Commission, because the Commission
is consulted in this process and the Commission so far
has not taken I think a clear or issues stands.
Let's not forget the Commission requires the vote of the
UPM Parliament to be elected. So I think my proposal
(26:11):
in this case to be concrete and sends.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Let's ask the parties.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
That are committed to the reform, of which is the
majority of the European Party's Social Democrats, the Democrats, Liberals.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
And Greens and even of the left.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
And let's say to the next president Palidate for President Commission,
if you want our vote, you have to commit to
support our propotional to one of any more federal.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Treat Thank you so definitely the going to vote to
these European elections. It's not the only duty we have
is just the starting point. It is as important as
engaging and being interested. It in the treaty changes and
treaty amendments, and indeed, as you said, it really affects
(27:07):
every citizen, even though it seems something more far than
the elections can be a very last thing in closing,
I'm asking both of you. It's something I like to
ask at the end of the episode. Is there any message,
any advice or take away you would like to share
(27:28):
with our listeners before we close.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
Well, I think, as I said, we are in a
very important election, probably the most important I would say
since the first elections and seventy nine, because this is
the first time I think, not the first time myself
that we see the result of the fact right, because
(27:53):
it happened also, but this time around the particularly strong
you see the pen only thirty percent in France, Alternative
Dodge line in second.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
In Germany.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Of course, in Italy the party of Eli is also
a euroskeptic eurosceptic hard Riding party is also on first.
In the Netherlands, mister Bilders won the general election, so
also close to thirty percent, I don't remember incorrectly. So
(28:33):
there is a trend now going around in Europe, and
I think these are only Portulal also third place from
the fabrite in Portugal check out. So I think this
is not only the result of national dynamics. I think
there is a less acroa zero. And this is a
bit paradoxical because I think this Monday has been.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
Valeod for Europe.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
If we delivered on Greendale with avert on the on
the recovery plant for Europe of the pandemic, we delivered
on the on the response to the Russian accreation. Now
with the thirteen packages of sanctions, with the deliverery of
what wants to Ukraine. We have delivered on also on
social the directive of lguages, with the directive of platform workers,
(29:23):
with the more protection for workers.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
We have been the asbestos problem with.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
The Also we improved the European Disability Guards. So I think,
particularly also given the circumstances that we have lived in
this mandate, the delibery has been quite good in terms
of sociality and environmental, foreign policy and social reason, particularly
(29:50):
if we comperied with the previous crisis, with the euro
crisis and the financial crisis, the policies that we're coming
forward from Europe were very popular story austerity, discal adjudgment,
social cads and so I think we have an deficit
of communication. We really need to explain all the things
(30:10):
that we have done this Monday, and they op by
the communication space and not all not allowed right to
define the debate and to defa define the.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Fame of the discussion.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
And yeah, as a conclusion on my side, well in
twenty twenty four, twenty four is election here. We have
elections in India, elections in Russia, we will have elections
in the US. If Europeans don't vote, then there is
an imbalance, you know. So to the European citizens, I
want to say, yeah, elections are crucial democratic moments. Don't
(30:47):
let anyone decide for yourself. And yeah, vote is but
the first part of engagement. So engage in your local community,
engage with your peers, and will make better Europe together.
That's the conclusion.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
Thank you, Thank you again. I think these are powerful
words to leave our listeners with. So as we draw
the occurretnce on this episode, we've been privileged to gain
valuable insights into the topic of the next two elections,
and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to our exceptional guests
(31:22):
mister Devesa and Alexand for their expertise and discussions and
the initiatives driving the narrative of these elections. Looking ahead
campaigns such as Better Europe together demonstrate as stat fast
commitment to fostering citizens engagement and empowerment with intellectual process.
We trust that this episode has sparked your curiosity and
(31:44):
provided valuable knowledge into the initiative shape in the future
of European democracy. So our worm, thank you to our
listeners for joining us on this journey of exploration and discussion.
And until next time, stay engaged, stay informed, and continue
to play an active role in shape in the future
of democracy, and go use your vote, don't forget. You
(32:05):
can find all the podcasts on Spotify, Spreaker, Google Podcasts,
I Podcasts and of course on Alda's website.
Speaker 3 (32:13):
Bye bye bye, thank you.
Speaker 4 (32:37):
H
Hello, and welcome to a new insightful episode of all
the podcast Shades of Democracy. We are now delving into
the third season and ready to learn and grow together
in the following months. I'm Anas Media from the communication
team of al Dam and I will be your host.
Today we have an engaging discussion lined up discussing the
topic of the moment European Elections twenty twenty four. As
(00:44):
we approach a significant milestone in European democracy with the
upcoming EU elections in June twenty twenty four. We are
thrilled to have two distinguished guests joining us today. Their
perspectives will help us understand the importance of this momentous occasion.
Our first guest is Dominiquis tevisa member of the European
Parliament since twenty nineteen representing the Progressive Alliance of Socialists
(01:08):
and Democrats and President of the Union of European Federalists.
With his expertise and insights, will explore the intricacies of
the upcoming elections and their implications for the future of
European democracy. Joining us alongside is Alexandre Meco campaign and
communications officer Alda, the colleague in charge of the E
(01:29):
elections campaign together will uncover the significance of citizen engagement
and collaborative action in shaping a better Europe for all.
So without further ado, let's get started to explore the
diverse dimensions of the EU Elections twenty twenty four. First
of all, welcome Dominique and Alexandre. It's a pleasure to
have you both here with us today. So Dominique, I
(01:52):
will start with you and ask you if you can
share with our listeners your personal journey and motivation as
an MEP, but also as President of the Union of
European Federalists, particularly in relation to your commitment to the
topic of the You and the significance of the election.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Thank you first of all for the opportunity, of course,
for me since.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
A very.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I would say, young age, it was very fascinating the
idea of Europe, no idea of for the first time
in history a number of countries of peoples coming together
on a voluntary basis.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Of course, you can.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You can see history the projects of empire now, but
the You has been a voluntary project, project of free
association of countries to share a common destiny, to.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
To abolish the wars in you.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Certainly before nineteen forty five, the norm in Europe was war.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
So this more than seventy years of peace that.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
We have in.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
The Uropean Union among the countries that are members of
the Union is actually quite unprecedented in history. So I
think this is a unique project in the history of mankind,
which it's worth all the efforts and all the troubles.
Whether you are an activist, you are, whether you're a
(03:35):
citizen or a policy maker.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Thank you very much for your answer. Indeed, I totally
share this fascination towards the idea of the European Union,
starting from a young age, indeed, and that's I think
what makes us all passionate about the You now, Alexander
to you, can you tell us a bit more about
how does you elections campaign? How does this campaign strategy
aim to engage and mobilize Europeans cs in the lead
(04:01):
up to the elections, and what tactics have proven to
be most effective in driving voter participation and awareness.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
Yes, absolutely well. First of all, ALDA launched its campaign
for the European elections months ago. It's called Better Europe
Together and it has three main objectives. First of all,
to inform and engage citizens to go vote on six
to nine June of this year. Second objective is to
give more visibility to all that to its network of
(04:32):
members and partners, and finally to prepare for the next
legislature with advocacy efirst, coalition building and agenda setting in
the topics that ALDA cares about of cities and engagement.
Mostly the results so far are very positive. We organized
or partnered in more than sixty events and as we
(04:55):
speak we reached out to more than four thousand people
so far. So quite an interesting campaign. As for the results,
maybe too early to say if it's going to have,
I mean, what impact it will have finally on the
elections results. But what we've seen so far is that
(05:15):
we're trying to engage citizens at the local level. And
for instance, I was two weeks ago giving a presentation
in a school in Brussels, and it was very interesting
to see or to come not as a person to
present a lecture to them about the European Union and
the European elections, but rather to engage them in this discussion,
(05:38):
in this debate. And I was for instance giving a
little whuize you know, for them to interact with these
topics of the European elections, and I think these are
the really impactful ways to create a connection between the
European Union and the citizens. We need to show them
(05:59):
that they can get in.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Thank you Alexander and also for our listeners. For information
you will find in the caption below the link also
to our website on the European elections and the campaign
if you want to discover more. Now, Dominic, how do
you perceive the current state of democracy within the European Union?
So what are the issues the challenges facing Europe in
(06:23):
the upcoming elections? And also what is the credibility in
your opinion of the European Union in geopolitics at the moment.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
So many questions, but okay, I'm starting with the challenges
for democracy, probably the main challenges, specifically that in these elections,
if we don't do our work, I will say probably
(06:52):
as for democratic, democratic European political sources in the selection,
then we have see the increas the far right, maybe
potentially I hope not a possible alliance of the traditional
right with the far right after the elections.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
So this is I think the main challenge. Because Europe
has always been built since the beginning of the project,
since nineteen fifty.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
By the traditional right ideologies and families of the post
war Yeah, p STID Democrats, the Social Democrats, the liberals.
Now we have also agreed, of course at that time
they were not present, but they came later and now
the hours of them forced and the part of.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
See the the European Parliament.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
So we need to preserve in my view that in
the next election, after the next election, this this is
the the majority that remains in charge of Europe, because
then you have other political forces par people in the
c R and the which are too much to the
(08:20):
right in terms of reviews of human rights, views of
rights of women, rights of minorities, rights.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
Of tb I.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Many of them brocald right.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Many of them also have our revisions approach to history
of regarding UH, you know UH and the remembrance that
we have in a lot in Europe, which is also
founded i would say, on entire fascism and a matter.
So it is really a lot different set of values.
(08:59):
And on top of that they are euroscautic or neurophobic,
and they really don't want to do strength and the
UPM project. So we can certainly, and you cannot give
the keys of the house to those that want to
ted it down. Now it's as simple as that. Then,
(09:20):
of course I'm on the pre Europeans. Some of us
are more to the left, might like myself. Some others
are more to listen to right, more liberal than others are,
like the strength and the technological dimension. This is good,
This is a more democratic politics and Europe is a
demographic space. But we really need to make sure that
(09:43):
those parties that are pro European and that, regardless of
whether the police is at the UPN level, have to
be more to the left or more to the right,
all of them. WI share the commitment to keep integrating Libro.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Thank you very much, and indeed I think what you
said it is really true and we should keep in
mind this symbolic sentence of keeping the keys to our
of our house very very close to us and not
giving them to whoever wants to destroy the house. And
another question for you, what role do you believe that
(10:19):
your elections play in shaping its future? And how can
policymakers address these challenges and engage voters effectively, which is
something that is perceived as a challenge especially in these
electoral times.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Well, they are very important, fully because the environment is
one of the main institutions of YEA, and in fact
it's the only directly elected and the citizens right and
therefore it's a fundamental importance precisely to participate and providing
(10:55):
the political direction of you.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
As I will saying.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
We have a majority, a center right majority in Europe,
then the policies will go in a certain direction.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
In the European Parliament. If we have a.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Center left now the majority ended, the accnnotations will be
more in the direction. First, we have the Council of
the European Union, which represents the governments.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
The Parliament represents the citizens.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
And as you know, in Europe, everything in terms of
legislation has to be approved by the two institutions, by
and by a man the Council. So the Parliament is
not a dogging job or or a consul that if.
But first we talk a lot of times because we
have debates, and obviously and we have also reports that
(11:48):
are original reports in terms of taking a position not
necessarily binding, but we we approved, we improved.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
More than night.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Percent legization, that is, or we adopt it comes in
more than ninety percent of the business of organization, and
you will be so. Of course, if you want to
have as a citizen, to have an influence in the process,
in the passive legislation in Europe, then your only opportunity
(12:23):
a bit.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Easier vote, Do you be Barrol, Because it's.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
There, We're we're going to see one or another majority
and emerging.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Thank you and yes to our listeners. As Dominic said,
go use your vote and make your voices heard because
they will be heard if you.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
Vote, and you know someone else is going to decide.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
For you, exactly, don't let these other people decide for you, Alexander.
The next question is for you. So ALDA has been
actively collaborating with various partners, first of all with the
European Parliament, but also do LA they were in France
and in France to promote civic engagement and democracy. So
(13:09):
how do the partnerships enhance the impact of all those
campaign efforts?
Speaker 4 (13:14):
Absolutely well, it was a clear objective of the campaign
Better Europe Together from the start to work with our networks,
with our partners and members, because well, the more organization
you work with, the greater reach, and that's what we
want to do. We want to reach as many people
as possible to encourage them to vote and have an
(13:37):
impact in the elections. So ALDA is a member of
four or five campaigns at the European and local level.
There is for instance, yes with Society for Europe that
you mentioned in France, your hope with the Young Federalists,
and yeah, for every campaign, every event, there is a
possibility to reach more people, young people in rural areas,
(14:02):
people in Eastern Europe, et cetera. So of course we've
read we very much value this network and collaborative approach,
and you also mentioned it the ALDA is a communications
partner of the European Parliament for this campaign, and it
really shows that ALDA is a trusted partner for the
(14:22):
European institutions.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
Yes, definitely, we cannot advocate for voting for the European
Parliament while not working with them. Dominic So also connected
to what I just asked to Alexander, how do you
view the importance of collaborating with organizations like ALDER indeed
in promoting citizens engagement and democracy within the U elections
(14:44):
And how can MEPs like yourself leverage such partnerships to
amplify the impact of your advocacy efforts and ensure that
the vices of European citizens are heard, as we said,
and represented in the European Parliament.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Well, I think it's very important because in a democratic
society we need.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
To have a collaboration.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
It is very important we have a collaboration in the
Unban Parliament also because obviously no one has an absolute maturity,
so I think it's a good thing in the end.
So we need to agree a more political forces. Many
(15:30):
times we have acting events that go from left to right.
It's not from the central right to the center right.
Use we need these compromises not to adopt the legislation
and move forward. And that requires also that Parliament collaborates
with the organized civil society like all that.
Speaker 3 (15:54):
Because this is an important part of democratic life.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
In my DA, the European social model is built around
the equilibrium of the balance of three things traditional the estate,
the market of the society right, and we can add
also now the environment. This is so in this regard
(16:20):
everything that we can do lose strengths in our collaboration
with organized CEE society like all that that are ply
would be and that you're promoting engagement and particularly of
the local entities in the democratic process in Europe.
Speaker 3 (16:36):
It's very important.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
This is why I myself, when I had the chances
of m B, I proposed a pilot project with your Commission,
which is called BELK with the europe Local Councilors, which
is precisely to establish a direct link between the municipalities
in Europe and the European Commision. And second to make
(17:01):
the municipalities, all of those that are willing to across
Europe the ambassadors of the European UNI in the territory.
These of course have to do with subsidiarity, the closest
level to the citizens of the municipalities and the.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
Associations like like us.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
So this is I think the best way to connect
the European institutions with the citizens. If we look at
the old idea of personalism, and which is one of
the parents that were produced the fidelity, it is the
(17:47):
subsidiality which is not only between the levels of government
which is normal understood, and those of subsidiarity in regarding
the proper growth of the associations and society.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Thank you very much, And indeed, I mean the local
level is quite necessary because also like again not to
repeat myself, but boots come from the local level, and
since the European Parliament is an elected institution, this dimension
is not to be neglected in any way. Now, Alexander,
(18:26):
looking ahead, what are all the aspirations and priorities for
continuing its work in promoting Democristian civic engagement beyond the elections,
And how can interested individuals and organizations get involved with
our initiatives and contribute to advance in the mission of
building a better Groupe together.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Well, the way I see it, the campaign Better Europe Together,
it's a start. It's a first attempt well, of course
talking about the European elections, but also to yeah, give
visibility to the core topics that we care about that
you mentioned, and of course after that we want to
(19:08):
influence the next legislature, the next European Parliament, the next
European Commission. We want to put at the top of
the agenda these topics of democracy, civic engagement, cities in participation,
human rights etc. At the top of the agenda. And
right after the elections, we will have greater advocacy efforts,
(19:29):
more targeted towards the policy makers and to the listeners
to the podcast. If there are organizations individuals that are
willing to work with ELDA, whether being for the European elections,
if they have the project, well I strongly recommend them
that they get in touch with ALDA, possibly register first
to Elder newsletter and the communications tools that we have already,
(19:52):
but also to contact us. Contact ALDA, tell us hey,
we have a project, is all that interested you help,
et cetera, and we will be very much well looking
forward to help you with that, So don't hesitate. And
for citizens individual people, well, first of all I would
(20:14):
say go vote. That's the best impact you can have.
And of course if you want to engage at your
local level, well ALDA is always going to stand with
the people that engage in their local communities.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
Exactly, we're here and if you contact us, you will
definitely reach us. So you find again all of our
contexts below here. Dominique, one last big question for you,
how do you believe we can effectively raise awareness among
European citizens about proposed treaty changes and there are potential
(20:51):
implications for the future of the you considering the complexity
of legal and institutional reforms, what strategies do you think
policy makers and civil society organizations can employ to ensure
that citizens are informed and engaged in discussions or surrounding
treaty amendments.
Speaker 2 (21:10):
Indeed, it is a very important topic that could appear
as dry.
Speaker 3 (21:16):
You start talking about reforming the treaty and it's like what.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
Sounds like a class of constitutional law or something like
that now and something that is not really like affecting
the lives of people and the debats.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
Obviously, we are worried that we work at the same
time obviously the challenges of your creation of the environment
and sugar production and housing and all that.
Speaker 3 (21:46):
But it is true that we need to reform the
treaty after.
Speaker 2 (21:49):
The direction, and I think if you want to understand
that's what we want. We do a good communication to
the people that we have issues like the problems in
detail in the Council. That has to be a result
(22:09):
of everyone understands without the need to have a master
in European affairs or the national relation or on European
law that if you have a club of twenty seven
which potentially can be thirty five, that only one is
able to block the decision for the entire body.
Speaker 3 (22:31):
Well, this is a decision. I remember a Belgian.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
Politician that said within anymity, not even my family can work.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
So I think this is.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
What we have to explain that we have still some
very important decisions that as you have to make in
order to provide security for Europeans, like foreign obviously like security,
but also the question of avoiding tax havens in develope
and tax competition and fair tax for petition that we
(23:09):
need to move our way from a need.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
So this is something that they think we can make
people understand.
Speaker 2 (23:18):
And secondly, as you said, the city sense have as
the main challenge of participation and expression. The election, not
the only one, but the name I would say is
the election to the Uban.
Speaker 3 (23:32):
But the European Parliament still doesn't.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Have all the all the proper powers that you should
have a more real parliament, I can say, and you
have more party with the United States. So this is
also I would say, the self interest of city sense
that the parliament has the additional powers.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
Because the citizens will also have more influence and we
represent the cities. What am I talking about.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
I'm talking about the the the possibility to propose legislation
that department doesn't have dispossibilities only excepting a few cases,
very few pages to or free.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
In everything else, it's only.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
The Commission that can propose legislation the parlier Council. And secondly,
we still don't have equal powers with the Council and
the body that represents the government.
Speaker 3 (24:27):
When it comes to taxation.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
When it comes to how we find a finance the
budget and the new badget, basically there is anomally because
we can decide and we decide about the expenditures in
the budget, not about the revenues. So how we finance
this expend which is very i think from a democratic
point of view, very difficult to explain. So for for
(24:52):
these things there are other reasons, but this remains we
need to do to adult and you and you treat
it about the strategy. Of course, it's not an easy
thing to do because you need to convince the European
Council to open the question of the new dread. We
(25:12):
have done a lot in the Parliament after the Confidence
of the Future of Europe, which was pointed in the
same direction. We approved last November able reporting with amendments
to the treaties.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
So half of the work is done or a third
of the world.
Speaker 2 (25:27):
And now the proposal is on the table of the
European Council and they have to make a decision on
our and in this phase the decision is not so
complicated because you already require a simple majority to open
the convention, so for the member states out of twenty seven,
so I think I think this is doable. We need
(25:48):
also to do pressure on the Commission, because the Commission
is consulted in this process and the Commission so far
has not taken I think a clear or issues stands.
Let's not forget the Commission requires the vote of the
UPM Parliament to be elected. So I think my proposal
(26:11):
in this case to be concrete and sends.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
Let's ask the parties.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
That are committed to the reform, of which is the
majority of the European Party's Social Democrats, the Democrats, Liberals.
Speaker 3 (26:26):
And Greens and even of the left.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
And let's say to the next president Palidate for President Commission,
if you want our vote, you have to commit to
support our propotional to one of any more federal.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Treat Thank you so definitely the going to vote to
these European elections. It's not the only duty we have
is just the starting point. It is as important as
engaging and being interested. It in the treaty changes and
treaty amendments, and indeed, as you said, it really affects
(27:07):
every citizen, even though it seems something more far than
the elections can be a very last thing in closing,
I'm asking both of you. It's something I like to
ask at the end of the episode. Is there any message,
any advice or take away you would like to share
(27:28):
with our listeners before we close.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
Well, I think, as I said, we are in a
very important election, probably the most important I would say
since the first elections and seventy nine, because this is
the first time I think, not the first time myself
that we see the result of the fact right, because
(27:53):
it happened also, but this time around the particularly strong
you see the pen only thirty percent in France, Alternative
Dodge line in second.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
In Germany.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Of course, in Italy the party of Eli is also
a euroskeptic eurosceptic hard Riding party is also on first.
In the Netherlands, mister Bilders won the general election, so
also close to thirty percent, I don't remember incorrectly. So
(28:33):
there is a trend now going around in Europe, and
I think these are only Portulal also third place from
the fabrite in Portugal check out. So I think this
is not only the result of national dynamics. I think
there is a less acroa zero. And this is a
bit paradoxical because I think this Monday has been.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
Valeod for Europe.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
If we delivered on Greendale with avert on the on
the recovery plant for Europe of the pandemic, we delivered
on the on the response to the Russian accreation. Now
with the thirteen packages of sanctions, with the deliverery of
what wants to Ukraine. We have delivered on also on
social the directive of lguages, with the directive of platform workers,
(29:23):
with the more protection for workers.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
We have been the asbestos problem with.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
The Also we improved the European Disability Guards. So I think,
particularly also given the circumstances that we have lived in
this mandate, the delibery has been quite good in terms
of sociality and environmental, foreign policy and social reason, particularly
(29:50):
if we comperied with the previous crisis, with the euro
crisis and the financial crisis, the policies that we're coming
forward from Europe were very popular story austerity, discal adjudgment,
social cads and so I think we have an deficit
of communication. We really need to explain all the things
(30:10):
that we have done this Monday, and they op by
the communication space and not all not allowed right to
define the debate and to defa define the.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
Fame of the discussion.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
And yeah, as a conclusion on my side, well in
twenty twenty four, twenty four is election here. We have
elections in India, elections in Russia, we will have elections
in the US. If Europeans don't vote, then there is
an imbalance, you know. So to the European citizens, I
want to say, yeah, elections are crucial democratic moments. Don't
(30:47):
let anyone decide for yourself. And yeah, vote is but
the first part of engagement. So engage in your local community,
engage with your peers, and will make better Europe together.
That's the conclusion.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
Thank you, Thank you again. I think these are powerful
words to leave our listeners with. So as we draw
the occurretnce on this episode, we've been privileged to gain
valuable insights into the topic of the next two elections,
and my heartfelt gratitude goes out to our exceptional guests
(31:22):
mister Devesa and Alexand for their expertise and discussions and
the initiatives driving the narrative of these elections. Looking ahead
campaigns such as Better Europe together demonstrate as stat fast
commitment to fostering citizens engagement and empowerment with intellectual process.
We trust that this episode has sparked your curiosity and
(31:44):
provided valuable knowledge into the initiative shape in the future
of European democracy. So our worm, thank you to our
listeners for joining us on this journey of exploration and discussion.
And until next time, stay engaged, stay informed, and continue
to play an active role in shape in the future
of democracy, and go use your vote, don't forget. You
(32:05):
can find all the podcasts on Spotify, Spreaker, Google Podcasts,
I Podcasts and of course on Alda's website.
Speaker 3 (32:13):
Bye bye bye, thank you.
Speaker 4 (32:37):
H
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