(HR)

Europska unija je glasala. Što nas čeka mjesec dana nakon europskih izbora?

Mjesec dana nakon europskih izbora održanih od 6. do 9. lipnja 2024. emocije u zemljama EU-a čini se da se postupno smiruju. Međutim, to ne znači da je ovo poglavlje potpuno zatvoreno. Kao i svaki mandat, novi početak zahtijeva praćenje rasporeda i pravila, dovršavanje prvih zadataka i formalnosti koji vode do osiguranog funkcioniranja najvažnijih tijela na europskoj razini upravljanja.

U ranoj fazi aktivnosti, novoizabrani zastupnici Europskog parlamenta donijet će ključne odluke oblikujući našu europsku stvarnost i uspostavljajući novi red u europskim institucijama za sljedećih 5 godina. Prva plenarne sjednica održat će se od 16. do 19. srpnja 2024. u Strasbourgu. Parlament će izabrati svog novog predsjednika, potpredsjednike i kvestore te raspravljati o tehničkim okvirima svojih odbora. Dalje u budućnosti, u sljedećim mjesecima, članovi će glasati za izbor novog predsjednika Europske komisije i povjerenika među kandidatima koji dobiju njihovo odobrenje tijekom javnih saslušanja.

Politička raspoloženja u Europi i njihov utjecaj na izbore

Unatoč rastućoj popularnosti krajnje desnih i populističkih desničarskih stranaka i njihovim rezultatima na anketama, npr. u Poljskoj (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość – 36.16%), Francuskoj (Rassemblement national – 31.37%), Italiji (Fratelli d’Italia – 28.76%) i Njemačkoj (Alternative für Deutschland – 15.9%), centristi (uzeti kao cjelina) uspjeli su zadržati svoju poziciju u EP-u.

Izvor: Europski parlament, https://results.elections.europa.eu/en

Sljedećih tjedana odmah nakon izbora vrijeme je ne samo za formiranje političkih frakcija već i, što je važnije, koalicije sposobne osigurati odgovarajuću ukupnu većinu glasova. Do sada je tradicionalno savez formirao EPP (centar-desnica), S&D (centar-ljevica) i Renew Europe (liberali). Ima šanse da se formira i za sljedeći mandat. Nedavni komentari i razmišljanja političkih znanstvenika i novinara predstavljaju slična stajališta i slažu se da će “stabilnost i politički aranžman u Europskom parlamentu biti održani”. Doista, prognoze i izjave političkog vodstva potvrđuju da će Ursula von der Leyen (Europska narodna stranka) konkurirati za reizbor za predsjednicu Europske komisije.

Izvor: Matthey Michael (fotograf), 09.06.2024, iz: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/photo/european-elections-2024-ambiance-shots-of-polling-stations-in-germany_20240609_EP-169754T_090_EG_44

Stjecanje podrške neće biti tako jednostavan zadatak. Iako su desničarske stranke osvojile manje mandata od očekivanog, rizik od rasta moći euroskeptičnih glasova ne smanjuje se. Ostaje prijetnja daljnje polarizacije – ne samo na europskoj razini, već i pokazuje unutarnje političko raspoloženje među državama članicama. Kako proces formiranja europske političke scene za sljedećih 5 godina još uvijek traje, vrijedi pratiti najnovije vijesti – i na nacionalnoj i na europskoj razini.

Trivia: Jeste li znali da…?

1. Ne tako davno prije europskih izbora, 23. svibnja održana je Eurovision Debate 2024 – završna debata između vodećih kandidata za predsjedništvo Europske komisije. Bez obzira na medijska izvješća i izjave stručnjaka o vjerojatnoj pobjedi Ursule von der Leyen, gotovo svaka od političkih stranaka EP-a nominirala je svoje predstavnike s prijedlogom alternativnih (ili do neke mjere sličnih) vizija i vrijednosti za sljedeće godine predsjedništva. Unatoč općem cilju izgradnje koalicije u EP-u, takve teme kao što su imigracija, rat ili sama ideja saveza s nekim desničarskim grupama zapalile su raspravu među kandidatima. Debata također nije prošla bez kontroverzi. Organizator, Europska radiodifuzna unija (EBU), odlučila je isključiti Europske konzervativce i reformiste (ECR) i stranke Identiteta i demokracije (ID) zbog… nedostatka kandidata. Bez nominacija, tvrdolinijske i krajnje desničarske stranke odlučile su kritizirati i prosvjedovati protiv sustava izbora čelnika Europske komisije iz grupa koje su pobijedile na izborima, a ne od strane lidera država članica. S ove strane političke pozornice, odluka EBU-a se vidi kao “čin cenzure”.Govornici-kandidati Eurovision Debate 2024:
   – Europska narodna stranka – Ursula von der Leyen
   – Stranka europskih socijalista – Nicolas Schmidt
   – Europski zeleni – Terry Reintke
   – Europska demokratska stranka/Obnoviti Europu – Sandro Gozi
   – Europska ljevica – Walter Baier

Izvor: Philippe Buissin (fotogtraf), 23.05.2024, iz: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/hr/photo/eurovision-debate-2024-with-lead-candidates_20240523_EP-169521A_PHB_053

2. Naš tim Mladi u EU, uključujući dvoje novih volontera, sastoji se od članova iz Hrvatske, Italije, Španjolske i Poljske.Svaka od ovih zemalja igra značajnu ulogu u Europskom parlamentu s predstavnicima koji pridonose raznim političkim grupama. Na primjer, Europska narodna stranka (EPP) je glavna grupa koja drži značajan broj mjesta i ima predstavnike kao što su Željana Zovko (Hrvatska), Massimiliano Salini (Italija), Dolors Montserrat (Španjolska) i Andrzej Halicki (Poljska). Osim toga, Progresivni savez socijalista i demokrata (S&D) uključuje predstavnike poput Biljane Borzan (Hrvatska) i Iratxe García (Španjolska). Grupa Obnovimo Europu ima članove poput Sandra Gozija (Italija) i Luisa Garicana (Španjolska). Zeleni/Europski slobodni savez (Zeleni/EFA) također ima značajnu reprezentaciju s liderima poput Ernesta Urtasuna (Španjolska). To pokazuje raznoliku zastupljenost i suradničke napore različitih država članica u oblikovanju europskih politika kroz razne političke spektre.

(EN)

The European Union has voted. What awaits us one month after the European elections?

One month after the European elections held on 6-9 June 2024, emotions across EU countries seem to subside gradually. However, it doesn’t mean this chapter is completely closed. As each term, a fresh start requires following the schedule and rules, completing the first tasks and formalities leading to the secured functioning of the most important bodies on the European level of governance.

At the early stage of activity, the newly-elected Members of the European Parliament will make key decisions shaping our European reality and settling down new order in European institutions for the next 5 years. The first plenary session will take place from 16 to 19 July 2024 in Strasbourg. The Parliament will elect its new President, Vice-presidents and quaestors, as well debating about the technical frames of their committee. Further in the future, in the following months, members will vote to elect a new President of the European Commission and commissioners, among candidates who gain their approval during public hearings.

Political moods in Europe and its influence on elections

Despite the growing popularity of far-right and populist right-wing parties and their top-polls-grabbing results e.g. in Poland (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość – 36,16%), France (Rassemblement national – 31,37%), Italy (Fratelli d’Italia – 28,76%) and Germany (Alternative für Deutschland – 15,9%), the centrists (taken as a whole) managed to keep their position in EP.

Source: The European Parliament, https://results.elections.europa.eu/en

The following weeks, just right after the elections, are time not only for forming political fractions but also, what is more important: a coalition able to give the proper overall majority of votes. So far, traditionally the alliance has been formed by EPP (centre-right), S&D (centre-left) and Renew Europe (liberals). It has the chance to form for next term. Recent comments and reflections made by political scientists and journalists represent similar points of view and agree that „stability and the political arrangement in the European Parliament will be maintained”. Indeed, forecasts and declarations coming from political leadership confirm that Ursula von der Leyen (European People’s Party) will compete for re-election as President of the European Commission.

Source: Matthey Michael (photographer), 09.06.2024, from: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/photo/european-elections-2024-ambiance-shots-of-polling-stations-in-germany_20240609_EP-169754T_090_EG_44

Gaining support won’t be that easy task. Even though the right-wing parties scored fewer mandates than expected, the risk of the growing power of eurosceptical voices isn’t decreasing. It’s leaving a threat of further polarization – not only on a European level but also showing internal political moods among member countries. As the process of forming the next 5 years of the European political stage is still ongoing, it’s worth keeping an eye on recent news – on both, national and European levels.

Trivia: Did you know that…?

1. Not so long before the European elections, on 23 May took the place the Eurovision Debate 2024 – the final debate between the lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission. Regardless of media reports and experts’ statements about Ursula von der Leyen’s probable victory, almost each of the EP political parties nominated its representatives, with a proposition of alternative (or similar to some point) visions and values for the next years of presidency. Despite the general goal of building a coalition in EP, such topics as immigration, war or the mere idea of an alliance with some right-wing groups inflamed the discussion between candidates. The debate also was not without controversy. The organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to exclude the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID) parties due to… lack of candidates. By no nominates, the hard and far-wing parties decided to criticise and protest against the system of choosing the head of the European Commission from groups that won the elections, and not by Member countries’ leaders. By this side of the political stage, EBU’s decision is seen as an „act of censorship”.

Speakers-candidates of the Eurovision Debate 2024:

• European People’s Part – Ursula von der Leyen
• Party of European Socialists – Nicolas Schmidt
• European Greens – Terry Reintke
• European Democratic Party/Renew – Sandro Gozi
• European Left – Walter Baier

Source: Philippe Buissin (photographer), 23.05.2024, from: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/hr/photo/eurovision-debate-2024-with-lead-candidates_20240523_EP-169521A_PHB_053

2. Our team of Mladi u EU, including two new volunteers, consists of members from Croatia, Italy, Spain, and Poland. Each of these countries plays a significant role in the European Parliament, with representatives contributing to various political groups. For instance, the European People’s Party (EPP) has been a major group, holding a significant number of seats and featuring representatives such as Željana Zovko (Croatia), Massimiliano Salini (Italy), Dolors Montserrat (Spain), and Andrzej Halicki (Poland). Additionally, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) includes representatives like Biljana Borzan (Croatia) and Iratxe García (Spain). The Renew Europe group has members such as Sandro Gozi (Italy) and Luis Garicano (Spain). The Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) also has significant representation with leaders like Ernest Urtasun (Spain). This demonstrates the diverse representation and collaborative efforts from different member states in shaping European policies across various political spectrums.

Izvori/sources:

https://elections.europa.eu/en/after-the-elections/

https://results.elections.europa.eu/en/

https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/manfred-weber-and-the-new-epp-group-leadership-team-elected

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/06/european-parliament-elections-eu-brussels-2024/

https://www.cer.eu/insights/what-will-eu-election-results-mean-europe

https://www.radiokrakow.pl/audycje/jak-zmieni-sie-unia-po-wyborach-zachowana-zostaje-pewna-stabilnosc-ukladu-politycznego-w-ue

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/05/23/european-election-candidates-go-head-to-head-in-live-televised-stand-off

https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/05/23/alliance-with-far-right-inflames-pre-european-debate-von-der-leyen-opens-up-to-meloni/

https://oko.press/debata-wybory-parlament-europejski