Week 15: The EU's new migration pact arouses reactions among debaters

The European Parliament has voted through a new pact for the Union's migration policy - which has been met with both criticism and praise during the past week. Photo: European Parliament. Source: Flickr.

Of: Adam hansen

The European Parliament's new migration pact arouses emotions. Several debaters see the pact as necessary for a more stable EU. Others are doubtful about the pact's long-term consequences in relation to both the right to asylum and human rights. 

April 15, 2024, Current debate

Thousands protest that right-wing populist party may win the election in Austria

"Firewall against right-wing extremism". Since January, thousands of protesters regularly gather and march through central Vienna. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

On the streets of Austria, there are demonstrations against right-wing extremism and scandals EU-critical party Freiheitliche party Austria (FPÖ). With 30 percent of voter support is FPÖ according to opinion polls the largest party ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections. About FPÖ comes to power, it could mean major changes for Austria, the EU and European aid to Ukraine - which the party wants to stop. 

April 8, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Week 14: Debater calls for mobilization before the EU elections

The elections to the European Parliament will be held on June 6-9, 2024. Mobilization of progressive votes, Russian disinformation and the risk of espionage within the EU are some of the topics discussed by debaters during the past week. Pictured: The flag of the European Union in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Photo: European Parliament. Source: Flickr.

Of: Benjamin Frisk

The elections to the European Parliament in June are approaching. Due to that, several debaters write about the mobilization of progressive voices in Europe, inequality in the Union and the existence of corruption and disinformation.

April 8, 2024, Current debate

EU vote on sustainability law: "Changes the image of Sweden as a leading country"

Julia Carlzon works at Oxfam Sweden. She believes that Sweden's opposition to the EU bill on corporate responsibility worsens the image of Sweden as a leading country in climate and human rights. Photo (left): Alexey Larionov. Source: Unsplash. Image (right): Julia Carlzon.

Of: Fleur Riller Loins

Sweden recently announced that it will vote against the EU bill that will increase companies' responsibility for human rights and the environment, despite the fact that the bill has strong support from both civil society and companies. The bill has now been revised and a vote will take place on Friday. - What Sweden does, other countries listen to, says Julia Carlzon, communicator at Oxfam, about the upcoming vote.

March 14, 2024, Interview

Sweden must vote for increased corporate responsibility regarding human rights and the environment

The organization Fair Action calls on the Swedish government to consider the advantages of the EU draft law on corporate responsibility and the broad support the directive has among major Swedish actors in both business and civil society. Pictured: The collapse of Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when over a thousand people died and 2 people were injured. Photo: Pieter van de Boogert/Canva.

Of: Ebba Eriksson

In the ongoing process of a new EU directive for increased corporate responsibility for human rights and the environment, Sweden has become one of the member states that risks overturning the entire legislation. Sweden must vote yes to the law to ensure that companies are held responsible for their impact on people and the environment throughout the supply chain. This is written by Ebba Eriksson, project associate at Fair Action.  

March 14, 2024, Debate

Young and highly educated people are leaving Hungary – as a result of Orbán's policies

Since 2022, Hungary can no longer be considered a full-fledged democracy. The political and economic development in the country has meant that many young and highly educated people choose to leave. Photo: Agnes Fältman.

Of: Agnes Fältman

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz, the nationalist ruling party, has over the past decade systematically dismantled the country's democratic institutions. In an increasingly harsh economic and political climate many young and highly educated Hungarians choose to move abroad. What can attract them back? Can liberal winds blowing across former nationalist ally Poland bring hope for change? 

February 26, 2024, FUF-correspondents, Report

Week 7: Center parties demand financial penalties for climate criminals in the EU

During the past week, among other things, the future of the EU has been discussed on Swedish debate and editorial pages, due to the upcoming elections to the European Parliament this summer. Photo: European Parliament. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Ida Nilsson and Adam Hansen

Ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections, which fall in June this year, the debate about Sweden's role in the EU and the Union's future is increasing. The Center Party demands that the EU introduce financial penalties for countries that do not live up to the goals for climate change, while the Sweden Democrats advocate a restructuring of EU policy and strengthened decision-making at the national level. Even the Russian one opposition politician Alexey Navalny's death has been noticed in the debate during the past week. 

February 19, 2024, Current debate

EU cooperates with Tunisia - despite accusations of inhumane treatment of migrants

In July this year, the EU concluded a cooperation agreement with Tunisia with the aim of stopping the large number of African migrants from reaching Europe illegally. The collaboration has been criticized by several different human rights organizations. Photo: Martin Schulz/US Naval Forces Europe-Africa. Source: Flickr.

Of: Mona Adam Abdi

Several human rights organizations have noticed how African migrants are subjected to violence by Tunisian security forces. Reports indicate that migrants forcibly placed and left under difficult conditions in the extreme heat of the Sahara desert - without water and shelter. At the same time, the European Commission has recently concluded a cooperation agreement with Tunisia to put an end to the number of migrants who trying get to Europe.  

November 6, 2023, Development magazine explains

The EU agrees on a migration pact - under the Swedish presidency

Around 180 people sought to cross the sea to Europe in 000, according to the EU. The EU countries have now agreed on a common migration and asylum pact. Photo: islamicreliefusa. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

In mid-June, one of the worst migration-related accidents ever occurred in Europe when a boat carrying hundreds of refugees sank in the Mediterranean Sea. About two weeks before the incident, negotiations on a new migration and asylum pact within the EU were completed. This pact has been one of the focus areas during Sweden's presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in 2023.

July 12, 2023, Report

Tightened climate policy in the EU puts pressure on Sweden's climate work

The EU is tightening its climate policy and reducing the scope for member states' emissions. At the same time, there are divided opinions about the effects of the Swedish government's climate work. Photo (left): Sara Kurfeß. Source: Unsplash. Photo (right): Maxim Tolchinskiy. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Charlee Salmelin

The EU's tightening climate policy demands that Sweden's climate policy direction be designed so that we reduce our emissions. The government has prioritized climate compensation to achieve the climate goals. But there are divided opinions on whether both the EU's and the government's policies actually lead to better climate effects.

July 12, 2023, Report