The EU has been in constant crisis mode since the outbreak of the global financial crisis. It is clear that Europe needs an update. But in what way, and in which areas? In order to provide a platform for these debates to young social democrats from all over Europe, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung EU Office and EuropeTalks created this new interactive online series.

On 1 July, we launched our first event. Together with MEP Klára Dobrev, Vice President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, German MP and former President of the European Parliament, and viewers from all over Europe, we focussed on a topic that had become very important in the previous months: solidarity in Europe.

A poll at the beginning of the event revealed that there were indeed a lot of social democrats participating: almost half of the viewership stated that the key aspect for a stable European Union is a common EU social policy. Although Klára agreed with the importance of a common social policy, she did not want to choose between the different options of the poll, choosing instead all of them. She explained that a close European cooperation, possibly in the form of a United States of Europe, is a historical necessity and a political imperative for us all. She pointed out that the EU is at a crucial moment right now and that the decisions made now, for example on a common debt policy, are set to be featured in future history books. Martin agreed, and by referring to the temporary closure of inner-European borders he added that we need to protect already existing cornerstones of European integration such as free movement for all.

Prior to the event, we had sent packages with items to both Klára and Martin that they unpacked live during the event. The items were related to our debate, Klára for example received a face mask and a flight ticket for a European flight during the lockdown-week. The items both inspired her to make several associations. For her, the face mask symbolized the current debates about the COVID-19 recovery fund and the idea of a health union in Europe, but also the state of care workers who are often forgotten about despite fulfilling essential tasks both before and during the crisis. Martin received a part of a fence as one of the items, associating it with restrictive migration policies in general and with the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán in particular. He emphasized that Progressives all around Europe should support the democratic opposition and civil society in Hungary and in all other countries where liberal democracies are at stake.

In the following open discussion, participants and EuropeTalks activists from all around Europe asked questions concerning the deepening split between Northern and Southern Europe in the course of the COVID-crisis, the state of women’s and minorities rights and the concrete further development of a European welfare state. The discussion revealed that the European Union and its member states need to be more cooperative and provide support for local communities and cities with a focus on the regions and countries most effected by the COVID-19 related economic decline and the approaching Brexit.

We really enjoyed the event and are glad to have received so much positive feedback from you all! Follow us on social media so that you don’t miss anything!