It is our pleasure to extend a cordial invitation to the EZA-Snack debate on the topic
“EU Elections: new MEP's? - impact on social policies? EP coalition?”
Online on 13th June 2024 11:30 - 12:30
Between 6 and 9 June 2024 the MEP's will be elected in their countries.
All polls show a change in the composition of the fractions in the European Parliament. We must of course first wait for the real results before we can start speculating about the future of the current strong commitment to a social Europe and the continuation of the current coalition in the European Parliament of the European People's Party, the Social Democrats and the liberal Renew. We want to approach this in a very substantiated manner and that is why we invite Professor Dr. Steven Van Hecke, who has published a lot on this topic. He can - of course - also make use of research work by fellow researchers.
The introduction with Q and A will be made by Prof. dr. Steven Van Hecke, Professor of European Politics at KU Leuven, Non-resident Visiting Fellow EPRS
After the introduction there will be time for questions from the participants. Questions can be asked directly in the webinar or via chat.
EU Elections: new MEP's? - impact on social policies? EP coalition?
EZA Snack Debate: results of the 2024 European Elections
On June 18, EZA hosted an insightful online Snack Debate to discuss the results of the 2024 European elections and their implications for coalition formation in the European Parliament (EP), the election of the President of the European Commission, and strategic priorities for the next legislative term.
Steven Van Hecke, Professor in European Politics at KU Leuven Public Governance Institute and Non-resident Visiting Fellow at the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), was our guest. He provided a comprehensive analysis of the election results, highlighting the shift in power dynamics at both the European and Member State levels.
Key points of discussion included:
1. Election Outcomes: The center-right European People's Party (EPP) strengthened its position, securing around 184 seats, while far-right groups also made significant gains. This new composition will influence coalition negotiations within the EP, shaping the legislative agenda for the coming term.
2. Prospects for Commission Presidency: Professor Van Hecke assessed the re-election chances of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, estimating her odds at 50/50. He emphasized the importance of coalition support from the EPP, Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe.
3. Strategic Legislative Priorities: The discussion included an analysis of the leaked proposals from the European Council, which outline the strategic directions for the new legislature. These proposals focus on critical areas such as economic recovery, digital transformation, and climate action.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where participants delved deeper into the implications of the election results. Professor Van Hecke's balanced and educational insights provided a clearer understanding of the upcoming challenges and opportunities in European policy and the selection of the next Commission President.
This debate offered valuable perspectives on the evolving political landscape in Europe and set the stage for EZA's continued engagement with key issues affecting workers and their representation in the EU.