Welcome!
blue&yellow is a platform by students for students. Here you will be able to find information on EU initiatives and legislation, as well as current European ‘hot topics’ and career insights. With its two knowledge pillars, career development and the EU, this project raises awareness while benefitting the student community as a whole.
Know Your Union
By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 3 minutes.
Following up on the first article on the New European Commission, this piece will take a closer look at the Commissioner hearings that the European Parliament conducted in order to “investigate” the potential candidates for the New Commission. This way MEPs ensure that the candidates are fit for the job and, at the same time, that MEPs have some influence in the selection process of the Commissioners, who will then be responsible for drafting laws and setting the political agenda. However, whether the persons who are nominated for the job are actually suitable might be a secondary criterion. Strategic decisions and party politics play an important role too. In order to perform well in the hearings, the candidates have to study the entire EU legislative acquis in one month, they can get used to the process by engaging in mock hearings (although most of the nominees don’t do that, which might be a question of ego, since these mock hearings are conducted by their staff), and they have to practice a fair amount of lobbying with the MEPs. But which were the most interesting hearings?
By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 3 minutes.
Finding a team that works well together and is fit for the job is always a big challenge. But if one has to take into account preferences of third parties and the political messages attached to the team’s selection, it gets even messier. However, this is the task that European Commission President (of the current as well as the new Commission) Ursula von der Leyen had to manage when nominating her new team of Commissioners. But let’s start from the beginning.
By Tillie Morris, 6 minutes.
The re-election of the pro-European Prime Minister in Poland, Donald Tusk, stirs questions about whether the alliance between Poland, Germany, and France will be the stronghold for Europe’s future.
By Federico Fo, 6 minutes.
Maastricht set the stage for the 2024 Elections for the European Parliament. Eight Spitzenkandidaten have started their election campaigns for their European parties and faced off in a fierce debate. All eyes lie on the current Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeking re-election for another five year term. Yet, candidates from the far left to the far right were convinced that they can halt her quest and swing the vote in their favour.
By Carlo Civitarese, 12 minutes.
Maastricht set the stage for the 2024 Elections for the European Parliament. Eight Spitzenkandidaten have started their election campaigns for their European parties and faced off in a fierce debate. All eyes lie on the current Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeking re-election for another five year term. Yet, candidates from the far left to the far right were convinced that they can halt her quest and swing the vote in their favour. Heated Topics on Foreign and Defence Policy, EU Democracy and Climate Change will decide who will lead Europe in this time of instability and change.
By Tillie Morris and Carlo Citivarese, 8 minutes
Organised by Politico, the Maastricht debate was held on the 29th of April, and they invited seven candidates who are running for the position of European Commission president. The candidates had the opportunity to share their positions on three topics, climate change, foreign and security policy, and EU democracy chosen by young people through a Maastricht University survey. A focus of the event was to include young people in EU politics, which was evident as many student and youth-oriented associations, such as ECA, the European Youth Parliament and Studio Europa were invited to the event.
By Nora Fotini El-Awdan, 8 minutes.
On Monday, April 29, 2024, the lead candidates (“Spitzenkandidat:innen”) of eight European parties faced-off against each other at the “Maastricht Debate 2024.” The contenders presented and defended their respective visions for the future of Europe ahead of the European Parliament elections in June. The key topics of the debate were selected by Europe’s youth based on a survey conducted by Maastricht University: (1) Climate change, (2) Foreign and Security policy and (3) EU Democracy.
By Sarah Hourquet (MD) & Nurbolat Kambekov (B&Y), 7 minutes.
This article is the first in our collaboration with the Blue & Yellow, the blog of the European Career's Association. We will publish a few different pieces through various media on the upcoming European Parliament Elections happening from 6 to 9 of June 2024. So, keep a look out for this and don't forget to go vote! As this is a collaboration, two writers, one of each journal, have written this piece together.
By Kristoffer Sætre, 7 minutes.
The EU is currently sending a lot of weapons to Ukraine. But wait, aren’t member states such as Austria, Ireland and Malta neutral? Are neutral states allowed to send military aid to states in war? Read this article to answer these questions and find out more about neutrality under international law and its relevance for EU member states.
By Nora Fotini El-Awdan, 8 minutes.
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the ECA set off on a two-day study trip to Brussels. It turned out to be a great mix of institution and media visits, networking events, and presentations. We participants returned with a backpack full of new knowledge on career opportunities. Here an overview of the highlights, main takeaways, and a list of links to start off your career in the European Union (EU).
By Jan Herniczek, 5 minutes. The ongoing war in Ukraine has already dramatically changed our world. Finland and Sweden decided to break their decades-old neutrality and join NATO. But why were they neutral in the first place? And what do the Turkish election have to do with NATO membership?
By Eleonora Pizzini, 7 minutes. Working in or for one of the European Institutions implies, in practice, a very good knowledge of at least two foreign languages. Despite 24 official ones, the so-called procedural languages are just three: English, French and German. How important is it to know at least two of them? And why over time many doubts and malcontent have risen across the choice of these three languages?
By Aari Helmelaid, 7 minutes. In December 2022, shocking revelations of corruption and acceptance of bribes from Qatar and other third countries in the European Parliament came to light, involving some of Europe’s top and former politicians like Eva Kaili and Antonio Panzeri. Since then, various suggestions have been debated to rebuild its reputation and reform the European Parliament to become a transparent and corruption-free institution, ranging from prohibiting unofficial friendships with third countries, to creating a whole new EU body specifically responsible for ensuring internal institutional ethics. Read the article to find out the main actors, the hidden criminal networks, and what the future might look like for the European parliament.
By Clara Pastor Hernández, 10 minutes. Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are individuals or organisations who seek the promotion and protection of civil and political rights as well as the promotion, protection and realisation of economic, social and cultural rights. However, despite their huge efforts towards development and the improvement of living conditions, they are being systematically attacked and silenced through violence in countries with high rates of violence, corruption or autocratic regimes. This article examines the role of the EU as regards the protection of HRDs, and more particularly, it presents Protect Defenders, an EU-funded mechanism coordinated by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) offering protection and support to HRDs and raising awareness about this topic.
Sara Saccon, 5 minutes. Every 18 months a group of three member states of the Union holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, one of the most important European institutions. The trio composed of France, Czech Republic, and Sweden is coming to an end, as Sweden’s mandate will terminate on the 30th of June. What challenges have the three presidencies encountered during the past year and a half? How have they dealt with them? And, most importantly, what now? Read our article to learn more!
By Aari Helmelaid, 11 minutes. So you’ve looked at your own Spotify Wrapped for 2022, but have you thought about which countries in Europe held elections in the last year? Read the article to find out about major elections that changed European politics.
By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 9 minutes. The DiscoverEU Interrail Scholarship has been made available to everyone by the EU for several years. 60,000 young people are able to traverse the European continent for free thanks to this initiative's free rail passes. Read more about the Interrail scholarship program, which enables you to visit Europe for free with DiscoverEU in this article!
By Nurbolat Kambekov, 3 minutes. In the age of accelerated technological growth, many governments across the world are concerned about their levels of innovation. Fortunately, the EU is pioneering trend-setting policies to address such challenges. Learn more about the EU’s technological initiative discussed in our recent article.
By Aari Helmelaid, 6 minutes. The European Ombudsman occupies a unique position as an independent supervisor between the EU institutions and European citizens. The contribution made by the European Ombudsman to transforming the administrative practices and pressuring European institutions, bodies, and agencies into better conduct cannot be underestimated, read the article to find out more of the role that the European Ombudsman plays in the EU world…
By Aydin Clara Orberk, 13 minutes. Are you familiar with the court structure and access to courts in the EU? With the creation of the EU and the recent Charter of Fundamentals rights of the EU, individuals may seek access for infringements to their rights not only before national courts, but also before the European Court of Justice. This article covers access conditions to European courts, firstly, and exemplifies the access conditions by introducing climate litigation cases, secondly.
By Leonie Klüver, 6 minutes. Lobbying - what exactly does it mean and how does it tie into the political system? Why is it crucial for the legislative process and a valuable aspect of a democratic political system? Read the article to find out the answers! Within the last two centuries lobbying has become an essential part of politics. In Europe, Brussels is the major hub for lobbying with 11,800 registered lobbying entities.
By Lucrezia Nicosia, 6 minutes. The European Union today consists of 27 Member States and it is the result of a continuous process of growth that occurred through the accession of new states. To become a member of the EU, a state must not only fulfil a list of formal requirements but must also align itself to the Union standards through a long process of negotiations. All this considered, which country/ies are the most advanced in the procedure? Why is Turkey taking so long to gain access to the EU?
By Aari Helmelaid, 6 minutes. The ability of citizens to vote is key for the functioning of a democratic society. Citizens of the EU are given substantial voting rights but the mere right of suffrage has proven insufficient to combat the lack of interest in elections at both the national and the supranational level and the decrease in democratic participation. This begs the question, what is the EU doing to increase democratic participation?
By Leonie Klüver, 9 minutes. Russia's invasion of Ukraine drastically changed the peaceful liberal democratic interaction and existence of European states. It forced the EU to implement economic sanctions to weaken the Russian economy and ultimately curtail Russia's ability to wage war. To show solidarity with Ukraine, the EU provided billions of euros in funds to EU member states and Ukraine to prevent a humanitarian crisis and provide basic human needs to the fleeing Ukrainians. Read this article to see what the EU can actually do in the context of war in Ukraine.
by Jeanne Gallien, 6 minutes. Since January 1st and for six months, France has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council. Together with the Czech Republic, Sweden, the trio will play an important role in making Europe more sovereign, more human and in creating a new European reference for the rest of the world.
By Lucrezia Nicosia, 5,5 minutes. The Europol and the Eurojust signed a contribution agreement for the expansion of their cooperation in the SIRIUS project, which aims to help investigations with cross-border access to electronic evidence by providing services and developing tools available to EU law enforcement and judicial authorities. The internet is a complex and vast world and a lot of expertise is required to fight online crimes and investigate online evidence: is this the reason why the Member States are so willing to rely on the help of the European Union? Has this new perception of crime changed something on how the Member States relating to the EU when dealing with criminal matters?
By Eliza Wójcik, 5,5 minutes. Conference on the Future of Europe is one of a kind event happening in the EU right now. It is a series of debates and discussions led by citizens aiming to enable all Europeans to share their ideas and help in shaping a common European future, per the European Commission’s website. The Conference started with a proposal in 2019 and will last for 2 years. The Conference has its own website which can be viewed in multiple languages.
By Paula Nörr, 6 minutes. Have you already heard about the latest EU-body, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), that started its operations only a few days ago, on 1 June 2021? You may know about existing EU bodies such as Eurojust, Europol, or OLAF, that also intends to protect the Union’s budget against fraud and corruption. But the EPPO is the first supranational EU body in charge of criminal investigations and prosecutions in this regard. If you want to know why exactly the EPPO is a “real game-changer”, keep reading and learn more about its mission, structure, and functioning!
By Marina Veljkovic, 4 minutes. Are you curious about how the European Union and its Member States are battling the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic? Would you like to know more about the Union’s plans on developing and ensuring the EU countries’ resilience and sustainability in the years to come? Then keep reading!
By Wiktoria Nadolna, 7 minutes. We all want to save the planet to protect future generations, but we often get lost in the process. The European Commission has created a plan to approach sustainable transformation in a successive manner. In this article, we are introducing to you The European Green Deal.
Zooming In
By: Dori Felber
Reading time: 3 minutes and 22 seconds
Have you ever wondered whether companies are held to specific standards regarding their operations and their impact on stakeholders, the environment, and society? Look no further! On 12 December 2024, Regulation 2024/3005 on the transparency and integrity of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating activities was published in the Official Journal of the EU.
By: Miruna-Antonia Aniculăesei, Read: 3:36
From the US to Georgia, 2024 has proven to be a troublesome year regarding elections. It seems that Romania was not spared either, being threatened by extremist movements, in the form of pro-fascist candidates and demonstrations, and alleged external political factors, such as Russia's involvement in influencing the outcome of the elections.
By Margaux Baudry, Read: 3min20
Used 25 times since 2020, Article 49.3 is both a political tool and a constitutional controversy. It is surely the most known, debated, and hated provision of the French Constitution. Deemed undemocratic, and even authoritative, it has been a central point of discussion in the French political debate since 2022. Ex-Prime Minister Michel Barnier triggered it on December 2nd 2024 to force the new social security budget and it cost him his removal from the Government. But what does the procedure of Article 49.3 look like? How can the National Assembly counter it? And why did it play a role in recent events? Here’s all you need to know about the drama surrounding Article 49.3 .
By Flavia Faraone - 3 minutes read
Hungary’s turn at the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU ended on December 31st. With some constructive political strategies regarding EU enlargement, despite a questionable approach to diplomacy, , Orbán once again proved himself to be an unpredictable politician.
By Anni Rissanen. Read: 2 min 15 s
A revolutionary tool with limitless potential?
A ground-breaking invention from OpenAI, Sora AI, which enables people to create minute-long, very lifelike videos using simple text prompts, was launched on the 9th of December 2024. Its uses open up new creative opportunities in fields including marketing, education, entertainment, and more. Yet, despite its potential, this tool remains unavailable in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK due to the strict AI regulations that are set in place.
By Federico Fo.
In September 2023 the EU announced its plans to impose a series of tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles (EVs) batteries, because of suspected use of unfair practices in production which bring other competitors to a disadvantage. The EU then began investigations over the presence of said practices, the result of which will determine whether the EU will be able to apply the tariffs.
By Gabriel Panza. Read: 3 minutes
The internet is an unpredictable ever-growing web, and Europe is building its own fortress to protect itself against cyber threats. The EU Cybersecurity Act of 2019 (CSA) was the first legislative catalyst to digitally protect Europe. The act created the EU Cyber Agency (ENISA) and created a certification system for secure digital products. Despite this, the CSA had some significant blind spots.
By Dori Felber. Read: 2 min 12s
Have you ever wondered what happens to corporations, such as Shein, that have reported cases of child labour and exploitation of workers within their supply chains? The Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (Directive 2024/1760) aims to combat exactly these issues by proposing legislation that aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. According to this Directive, companies are required to identify and, if necessary, prevent, stop, or reduce the negative effects of their operations on the environment, such as pollution and biodiversity loss, and human rights, for example, child labour and worker exploitation. The proposal also lays out the duties of directors, including establishing due diligence, overseeing its implementation, and integrating it into the company's overarching plan. The corporate plan will act as an incentive for compliant directors who will receive variable compensation to assist in the fight against climate change.
By Miruna-Antonia Aniculăesei. Read: 3 min 03s
When your education is threatened, you have the right to defend it. An example of this kind of resistance is the protest against university budget cuts that was supposed to take place on the 14th of November in Utrecht. Despite an unexpected turn of events, the students, teaching staff, along with other supporters of the cause managed to mobilise without clear guidance. As such, this article will explore the reasons behind the protest, the initial cancellation and the demonstrations held in Utrecht, Maastricht and, finally, The Hague.
By Margaux Baudry. Read: 2 min 20s
After nearly 3 years of War in Ukraine, the conflict just took a turn: Ukraine retaliated, and it involved the West. The West is not the first to have ‘taken part’ in the conflict- see the article on the deployment of more than 10, 000 North Korean troops to the border of Ukraine- although it is not taking things that far (yet). What happened? And what does this mean for the West?
By Dori Felber. Read: 1 min 54 s
On June 3, 2022, the European Union Council adopted a sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which, over the course of the following six to eight months, gradually phased out the import of Russian oil and petroleum products. Although the import of gas is not restricted by this specific round of sanctions, government counsel cautions that "nothing is off the table." However, there is a temporary exemption for certain Member States, namely Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, which will allow them to continue to import Russian oil via pipeline.
By Jakob Aufenberg. Read: 3 min 20 s
Although it may have appeared like that, a presidency is no one-man show!
Every aspiring leader of the free world needs to encounter loyal followers that will help him conduct daily business. Our current president-elect does not lose any time in doing so - and this led to some questionable appointments.
Check out this article to find out more about Wrestlers-turned politicians and TV-doctors governing a nation's medcare!
By Ben Rosenbaum. Read: 3 min 30s
The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro was overshadowed by global tensions, escalating crisis, diverging priorities and unsatisfied leaders. Under such circumstances, it is interesting that the summit produced any results at all. Even more interesting is that, on closer inspection, it hints at greater shifts in the global power structure.
By Anni Rissanen. Read: 2 min 25 s
More than half of Finnish women have faced violence. How will government cuts to social services impact those most at risk?
Finland’s reputation as the “happiest country in the world” contrasts sharply with its troubling status as the EU’s second most dangerous country for women. Data from Eurostat shows that more than half of Finnish women have experienced physical or sexual violence, or threats. In 2023, 12.300 cases of intimate relationship and domestic violence were reported to the police, which was an increase of 5.3% from the year before. This indicates that the violence is on the rise.
What’s fueling this rise, and how will the government’s decisions impact those most in need of support?
By Ben Rosenbaum.
Read: 4min and 50s
On 4 July 2024, the British Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election, ending 14 years of Conservative Party rule. The new prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, had pledged as part of his party’s manifesto a reset in relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union based on removing barriers to trade, but made it clear that Labour was not seeking to rejoin the EU. Debating a re-entry into the EU would bring “turmoil”, Keir Starmer said after taking office.
By Anna-Magdalena Glockzin, 3 minutes.
The 6th of November 2024 was a memorable day. Not only was there the result of the elections in the United States of America (USA), which Donald Trump won by a land-slide victory, but also the break-up of the German traffic light government. In the evening of that day, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrats) made headlines when he announced that he fired his finance minister Christian Lindner (Liberals). This meant that the traffic light government had failed, leaving Germany in an uncertain state in times of crisis and global threats. Scholz addressed the nation in a press conference in the late evening of the 6th of November, stating that he “would have liked to have spared [the people] this difficult decision” and that he was aiming for new elections in January 2025.
by Margaux Baudry
The EU’s efforts to find ways to tackle environmental and climate change issues have been recognized and are highly necessary.
The European Commission launched the Farm-to-Fork Strategy as part of the Green Deal in 2019. It aims at healthy, eco-friendly and fair food systems; and faces challenges such as reducing the food industry’s environmental impact, adapting to climate change and promoting organic food production.
In our time of need for solutions, we may question: are these ambitious regulations achievable? Will they save the planet, or starve Europe?
By Flavia Faraone
Georgia was granted “candidate status” by the European Commission in 2023. However, an authoritarian turn by its leading party over the summer has led all negotiations to a halt. Recently, allegations of rigged elections financed by Russia have seemingly pushed the EU even farther away from the country. Where does this leave Georgia’s educated, Europe-minded youth?
It’s done, it’s over. America voiced its will and appointed Donald J. Trump as president-elect. The country spoke out loud and its echo will resonate globally. Although mourning for a desired Harris-presidency may be tempting, Europeans cannot distract themselves by wishful thinking. Leaving aside awe and fear, it is mandatory to subject these developments and their implications to analysis.
By Miruna-Antonia Aniculăesei. Read: 3 minutes 25 seconds
After its recent referendum that would affect its accession to the European Union (EU) and presidential elections, we can ask the Republic of Moldova what freedom feels like. Recently, on the 20th of October and, respectively, on the 3rd of November, the Moldavian citizens had the opportunity to vote for their country’s European future. Russia, their controlling neighbour, has tried to modify the outcome of these two events in accordance with their interest. This article will explore the results of the aforementioned events, as well as Russia’s reaction and intervention.
By Gabriel Panza
In just 8 hours, the Spanish Valencia province received the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain, leading to one of the most disastrous Spanish Floods in history. In recent days, more than 200 lives were claimed in the sudden catastrophic floods in Spain, with most of the damage being caused due to a lack of emergency warnings and enforcement of emergency protocol. As the raging water continued deeper into the Spanish region, cars were swept away, and bridges collapsed from the immense pressure. Storms formed over the Margo and Turia river basins, and in the Poyo canal, all of which led to an enormous accumulation of water that overflowed the riverbanks. Within mere hours, muddy water began filling civilians' roads, railways, and houses.
Read: 6 minutes, 26 seconds
Armenia has recently improved its diplomatic ties with the European Union, getting closer to the EU's positions in the sphere of world politics. This fact may be seen as surprising, since Armenia has been historically a country under strong Russian influence. For example, Armenia still today is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a sort of alliance led by Russia. In addition, Armenia has especially in the past relied on Russian protection and help to contrast external threats. This has occurred to the extent that Armenia has permitted Russian military infrastructures and soldiers to be stationed on its territory. Nevertheless, since the Velvet Revolution of 2018, which ousted pro-Moscow forces from the Armenian government, the country has slowly started a process of “cleansing” from Russian influence. The political consequence of this was Armenia’s progressive alignment with other powers usually considered rivals of the Russian Federation, such as the EU and the US. This article intends to explore the motivations behind this switch of allies by Armenia and what this has entailed until now.
6 mins - by Anna-Magdalena Glockzin
First rumours about potential North Korean troops being shipped to Russia in order to be later deployed in the war against Ukraine hit the news about four weeks ago. At that time, there were hardly any public reactions to this piece of information because Western leaders wanted to wait for verification of these claims by intelligence services. Russia and North Korea demented the accusations, calling it “another hoax” (Russia) and “groundless, stereotype rumours” (North Korea). However, it was later confirmed by various intelligence agencies that indeed about 10,000 North Korean troops have been shipped to Russia with the plan of training them, and subsequently deploying them in the Ukraine war. This raises the question of the motives behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision and what it means for Ukraine. Moreover, since the European Union (EU) is a strong supporter of Ukraine with regard to military and economic aid, what are the implications of this development for the EU itself and its actions towards Ukraine?
By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 3 minutes
New concerns have emerged about the role of artificial intelligence after the enactment of the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. In response, the European Parliament and the Council entered negotiations and reached a provisional agreement on the Artificial Intelligence Act last December. I had the opportunity to interview one of the MEPs involved in this policy outcome; you can read the interview here.
By Nora Fotini El-Awdan, 7 minutes
Have you heard about the Samoa-Agreement before? No, or just a little? Then this article is a good start to get to know more about an agreement that impacts over 1,5 billion people, and is the legal framework for EU relations with 79 countries, making up the Organization of African (48 countries), Caribbean (16 countries) and Pacific (15 countries) states, short OACPS, until April 2020 known as the ACP group.
By Electra Moutsouri, 4 minutes.
On November 19 2023, the cargo ship “Galaxy Leader” was hijacked and seized by the Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, as it transpassed the international waters of the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen. The Houthi group, backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, claimed it conducted the ship’s hijacking due to the alleged links the ship’s goods had with Israel. Thus, the group justified the hijacking with the need to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who, over the last months, have been under heavy attack and bombardment by the Israeli Defence Forces. Moreover, the group has announced its intention to continue attacking cargo ships related to Israel until the ceasing of military operations in Gaza.
By Federico Fo, 7 minutes.
On November 19 2023, the cargo ship “Galaxy Leader” was hijacked and seized by the Houthi rebels, officially known as Ansar Allah, as it transpassed the international waters of the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen. The Houthi group, backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, claimed it conducted the ship’s hijacking due to the alleged links the ship’s goods had with Israel. Thus, the group justified the hijacking with the need to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza who, over the last months, have been under heavy attack and bombardment by the Israeli Defence Forces. Moreover, the group has announced its intention to continue attacking cargo ships related to Israel until the ceasing of military operations in Gaza.
By Carlo Civitarese, 7 minutes.
Spanish acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez clinched another term in office after his Socialist Party (PSOE) secured the backing of the Catalan separatist party ‘Junts’ to form a government in a deal that the country’s opposition condemned as “a humiliation”.
The post-election landscape was fraught with controversy over the prime minister’s decision to grant an amnesty to the leaders of the 2017 Catalan protests, the actions of whom had been deemed unconstitutional by the government at the time. This was because an autonomous state had been proclaimed without parliamentary approval, prompting Madrid to activate a law that gave it direct control over Catalonia, criminalising the secessionist leaders in the process. Sanchez’s decision was aimed at securing the votes of the Junts. In the build-up to the potential deal between Junts and the Socialists, the mood in the country had become increasingly febrile, with protesters clashing with police outside the Socialists' headquarters in Madrid.
By Federico Fo, 7 minutes
The migration crisis has been one of the main challenges faced by Europe in the last decade. Such a crisis has brought millions of people fleeing from war and situations of extreme poverty, to cross the Mediterranean Sea for a dangerous journey, to reach the far more safe and rich European Union. Since it began, the migration crisis has been a great source of political and social tensions within both EU and non-EU countries, bringing to the making of debates regarding its management. Many plans and decisions have been taken until now to stop the crisis. However, the actual effects of these decisions are still largely unexplored, especially if we consider the influence that the crisis had until now regarding the changes in the balance of power between countries. Consequently, it is of importance to explore the actions undertaken until now by the countries for which the migration crisis is of great concern.
By Terk Felix Kraft, 7 minutes. Upon Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Rail Baltica has emerged as the linchpin in NATO’s geostrategic calculus. Sandwiched between Belarus and Kaliningrad, the EU’s new high-speed railway between Poland and the Baltic States takes centre stage in reshaping the chessboard of European security and points at a future where strategic infrastructure becomes synonymous with staking out security claims.
Career Insight
By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 5 min. One of our blog members had the opportunity to interview the Member of the European Parliament, Iban García del Blanco. He is part of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. He is a member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and of the delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly. Moreover, he also takes part in the Committee on Culture and Education. If you are interested in AI, the legal process in the EP, or you have a simple curiosity about the daily tasks of an MEP, read this fantastic article.
By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 10 minutes. Have you ever heard about the traineeship in the Committee of Regions (CoR)? Check out Beatriz´s interview with José Grande Santalla, a current trainee in communication in the CoR for the region of Galicia. In the interview, José gave us an overview of his work life and experience applying for this type of internship.
By Petra Simpalean, 7 minutes. Are you considering applying for a job at one of the EU institutions? If so, you will be required to take a European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) test. EPSO tests are the most important part of the selection process, as without them, you cannot work in any EU institution. By reading this article, you will find out exactly what these tests entail, tips and tricks that will help you pass them, and much more. Start reading and be a step closer towards accomplishing your goals and working for the EU!
By Aari Helmelaid, 16 minutes. ECA holds a wide network of alumni studying or working in different cities and in a variety of public and private sector companies and institutions. Many reside in Brussels, one of whom is former ECA President Max Griera. Blue&yellow writer Aari recently had the opportunity to interview him for our career Insights section. In this article, Max shares his memories of ECA, his journey on becoming a journalist, insights into working in the Brussels bubble, and valuable tips to help you land a job after your studies.
By Eleonora Pizzini, 8 minutes. The European Solidarity Corps is one of the several opportunities that the European Union offers to young people. It is an international volunteering programme thanks to which young Europeans can work and volunteer in non-profit causes. Taking part in one of the projects gives you additional skills and assets rarely acquirable in normal traineeships. In this article we interviewed a peer who participated in a project in Ukraine before the start of the war. He will talk about his experience and provide first hand insight on the programme and some few reasons why you should consider doing this experience.
By Sofia Bertolaja, 8 minutes. Have you ever thought about doing a traineeship at the EU Council? Check out Sofia’s article to read her interview with Jakub Rurarz, one of the founders of ECA and a current trainee at the Council.
By Federico Durante, 8 minutes. Most universities in Europe give bachelor's and master’s students the possibility, either for a semester or an entire year, to choose how to acquire more experience and deeper knowledge about the topic they have been studying. Generally, this possibility comes under three forms: an exchange programme, an internship, or a minor programme. If you want to know more about them and learn directly from ADS Insight, a consultancy operating in Brussels, Germany, Poland, France and Sweden and a partner of ECA, check the article!
By Leonie Klüver, 7 minutes. Ever wanted to go abroad for an internship? Are you interested in experiencing the EU firsthand without having to move to Brussels? Do foreign policy and diplomacy excite you? Then you should consider applying for a traineeship at the European External Action Service (EEAS).
by Eliza Wójcik, 3 minutes. Politico’s EU studies & Career Fair is an annual meeting of the world’s top universities and organisations aiming to connect with the best international students and young people interested in pursuing a future in the EU. Read the article to learn how to register and what are the benefits of attending the Fair!
by Erik Schmidt-Bergemann, 6,5 minutes. Have you ever wondered if you can conduct a traineeship at one of the European Agencies? If yes, did you feel a bit lost comparing all the complex requirements? Check out this article to read a clear, concise and very helpful comparison of EU Agencies’ traineeships with all the requirements.
By Leonie Klüver, 5,5 minutes. Do you want to experience how legislation is debated, how EU laws are passed, how the most democratic EU body works daily, and how internal committees operate? Then a traineeship at the European Parliament is very likely an interesting option to kick start your career in the EU. There are two different types of traineeships at the European Parliament. The first one is at the Secretariat which is called the Schuman Traineeship. The other possibility is to conduct a Traineeship with a Member of the European Parliament. As application processes and the task differ fundamentally both traineeships are compared in more detail below.
By Erik Schmidt-Bergemann, 6 minutes. Twice a year the EU Commission welcomes about 650 new trainees. But how do you become a trainee and what are the requirements? There are several requirements that one needs to fulfill such as speaking two official languages of the EU. If you are eligible and if you can stand out among the thousands of other applicants you will become one of the next trainees at the Commission. If you would like to know more about the application process, the requirements and how the traineeship looks like, continue reading this article!
By Eliza Wójcik, 10 minutes. Brussels and Luxembourg are the first places that come to mind while talking about work in the EU. Have you ever wondered what living there actually looks like? Are you curious about the comparison of those two? I have all the answers to your questions! Read the article to find out more about daily life, multiculturalism and other characteristics of Brussels and Luxembourg.
By Paula Nörr, 8 minutes. Have you ever talked to an employee of the Council of Europe? No? Well, we did for you! For our Career Insight section, we interviewed a former trainee and employee of the Council of Europe. If you want to know how our interviewee made her way from an audit firm to the Council of Europe and what her job experience there looked like in Covid times, you should continue reading. The interviewee did not only give us informative insights in her career but also helpful tips and recommendations on how to approach job search to finally get hold of a job in a European institution.
By Max Griera, 3 minutes. Sooner or later, everyone has to write a CV. Whether you are familiar or not with this task, here we present you 14 points to help you level up your CV.
Legislation Up Close
By Dori Felber. Read: 3 minutes 42 seconds
Time to redefine the outdated definition of rape in France? As the horrific testimony of Gisele Pélicot unfolds, many have argued for a redefinition of rape in France. This specifically followed after lawyer Guillaume de Palma, who is defending 6 of the accused, argued that “In France proof of intent is required” in order for it to qualify as rape.
Gisele Pélicot is a survivor of a series of rape, orchestrated by her husband Dominique Pélicot. Over a period of 9 years (July 2011 to October 2020) Gisele Pélicot was repeatedly raped by her husband and individuals who he would invite, whilst she was drugged and unconscious. In total, Gisele Pélicot was raped 92 times by 72 men, as her husband filmed the abuse. These horrific acts came to light when Dominique Pélicot was arrested by the police for taking upskirt photographs of women in supermarkets. The police discovered thousands of images and videos that Pélicot had taken of the rapes and stored on his computing equipment. Pélicot is further accused of training Jean-Pierre Maréchal on how to drug and rape his own wife.
By Yana Chakarova, 7 minutes.
On the 27th of February 2024 the European Parliament adopted a number of revolutionary environmental measures enshrined in the Environmental Crimes Directive that penalized environmental crimes much more stringently compared to the past. The Greens/EFA Group from the European Parliament called for the establishment of a serious criminal liability in the case of destruction or widespread and substantial damage which is long-lasting or irreversible to an ecosystem, a habitat or the quality of air, soil or water. More specifically, the MEP of the Greens/EFA Group stated that:
By Felix Kraft, 5 minutes. Global warming forces Europe to rethink its industrial production and sets national decision-makers before a legislative paradox. Meanwhile, Brussels has come up with a controversial solution that has the potential to either harmonise or rip apart the world’s entire supply chain network.
By Ilaria Settembrini, 9 minutes. I bet you did not know it. Fair enough. Still, the warming of the Mediterranean Sea is one of the fastest in the world and requires fruitful engagement by the EU. As an essential and historically contentious resource, water can offer Brussels new pathways for intergovernmental cooperation with the southern shores.
Beatriz Santos Mayo, 6 minutes. Did you know that eating fast food products inside the EU is healthier than eating them elsewhere? Did you know some food additives have been restricted in the EU due to potential health risks? The European Food Safety Authority seeks to protect the food chain from the farm to the table and banned everything that may imply a risk to European Citizens.
By Eleonora Pizzini, 8,5 minutes. Maastricht is a city full of international students from all over Europe and the whole world. You may have friends coming from the most unusual places and have discovered new countries thanks to them, but have you ever heard about Golden Passports or Golden Visas? These two procedures are common in many states, among which some are Member States of the European Union, and have recently been highly criticised.
By Beatriz Santos Mayo, 5 minutes. Do you normally use Facebook, Instagram, or Whatsapp? Have you ever read the terms and conditions of these gatekeepers? Do you know what the EU is doing to protect your data? The new two legislative acts, Digital Service Act and the Digital Markets act are the new two legislations that, form part of the “A Europe fit for the digital age” regulatory project that manages the digital regulatory landscape.
By Leonie Kluver, 5 minutes. Do you know that 2022 is the European Year of Youth? Have you ever participated in or benefited from an EU initiative specifically supporting the European youth? For example, the Erasmus+ program? Are you curious about the European Year of Youth and maybe how you can get involved? This article discusses what it is, why it was founded, and how you can participate!
By Aari Helmelaid, 7 minutes. The EU Member States are often praised for their respect for democracy and human rights, but recent trends demonstrate that media freedom in the EU is under threat and the journalistic profession is no longer as simple, stable, or safe. Lack of transparency, threats of violence or murder, draconian laws toward the press, censorship, and cybersecurity risks are only the tip of the iceberg of the tough barriers that journalists and media companies face in their everyday operations. Read the article to find out how the EU is tackling the decline of press operations in the member states, and what to expect from the upcoming Media Freedom Act in 2022.
By Aydın Clara Orberk, 13 minutes. You may have heard about the European Green Deal (EGD), Europe’s roadmap to climate neutrality by 2050. How is this climate neutrality to be achieved? This article entails updates about measures being taken. A set of proposals aims to make the industry of products more sustainable and circular. Some measures concern the textile industry, specifically - why is this so important? Check the article to find out more!
By Jeanne Gallien, 7 minutes. Everyone is aware of their nationality, but how many Europeans are actually aware of their EU citizenship? And the rights that follow it? This article aims to inform young people about their rights given by European citizenship in higher education, which may encourage them to consider a period of study abroad. For this reason, it will solely focus on EU nationals and not on third-country nationals.
By Federico Durante, 7 minutes. The EU has the largest market in the world, which gives it immense regulatory power. Decisions related to products and services taken by the EU have repercussions in other jurisdictions. The AI Act shows how the EU, by simply regulating its internal market, can (in some sectors) affect the distribution of power in international geopolitical conflicts, and defend itself from actors that want to disrupt our European sovereignty. Read the article to know more about the AI Act and its influence on data protection and privacy.
By Lucrezia Nicosia, 7 minutes. This article aims at explaining how the European Union guarantees the protection of human rights of its citizens/residents; this will be done by explaining the scope and content of the EU Charter, its similarities with the ECHR, and the main bodies involved in the framework.
By Erik Schmidt-Bergemann, 5 minutes. Every seven years the EU needs to pass a new budget. The last Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) was passed in 2020 and the new budget will run from 2021 till 2027. This article will explain what the budget entails and how the policy-making process works.
