Participatory democracy

Armenia holds referendum on divisive constitutional reforms

Armenians voted in a referendum on constitutional reforms on Sunday (6 December) which the opposition claims are aimed at keeping the ex-Soviet state's President, Serzh Sargsyan, in power.

Orbán aide calls US criticism ‘downright irritating’

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's chief of staff on Thursday (29 October) rejected criticism of the Hungarian government by the US ambassador to Budapest, saying her remarks amounted to interference in Hungary's affairs.

US governors ask Congress to end embargo on Cuba

The governors of nine predominantly-agricultural US states asked Congress to lift the embargo on Cuba, given the importance of that country as a prospective market for many US food products.

Myanmar signs limited truce with rebels, but fighting persists

Myanmar today (15 October) signed a limited ceasefire with eight ethnic minority armies, in a step towards ending decades of civil war but diminished by the refusal of several other rebel groups to join the deal.

Tunisian civil society group wins Nobel Peace Prize

Tunisian civil society groups won the Nobel Peace Prize today (9 October) for helping to create the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring, at a time when the country is under threat from Islamist violence.

First freely elected President of Hungary dies

Árpád Göncz, the former dissident, and the first post-Communist President of Hungary, died on Tuesday (6 October) aged 93. He enjoyed widespread public support and was regularly polled as the most popular Hungarian politician of his time.

Nemtsov and others nominated for Sakharov prize

Assassinated Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a Ukraine military pilot held on murder charges by Moscow, and jailed Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi were shortlisted yesterday (10 September) for the European Parliament's prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

LIVE: State of the European Union debate

The refugee crisis took centre stage in a much-awaited State of the European Union address by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the European Parliament on Wednesday morning (9 September).

To gather momentum behind the speech, the European Commission has launched a new website with video livestream and Twitter dashboard. EURACTIV and its network is following the development live, gathering reactions from across Europe and the Parliament.

Juncker: We need more Union in our Union

In a much anticipated State of the Union speech, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker appealed for the preservation of the traditional values of solidarity on which the European Union is built, at a time when national egoisms prevail in many countries, faced with the unprecedented refugee crisis.

Putin: Blind Western policies created the migrant crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday (4 September) that the European countries who are backing the US policy to export democracy in their neighbourhood have engineered the current migrant exodus that is submerging the EU.

Russia tells EU to abandon ‘messianic’ project of exporting democracy

A prominent Russian diplomat has called on the EU to abandon his “messianic” project of exporting democracy and instead solve its problems together with Russia, and not at its expense.

EU hails release of six jailed Belarussian opposition leaders

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has released six opposition leaders, including a former presidential rival, less than two months before presidential elections in a move hailed Sunday by the European Union.

Hollande pays tribute to Delors, calls for euro ‘vanguard’

France favours a "stronger organisation" behind the euro led by "a vanguard of countries", President François Hollande said in an interview in which he pays respect to former Commission President Jacques Delors, who turns 90 today.

Turkish authorities take control of bank tied to Erdogan foe

Turkish authorities announced they had taken control of the country's 10th largest lender, Bank Aysa, which is linked to an ally-turned-foe of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

MEPs unconvinced by European Citizens’ Initiative on vivisection

The European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Vivisection", signed by 1.6 million Europeans, failed to impress MEPs at its parliamentary hearing. EURACTIV France reports. 

EU states halt some Burundi aid over crackdown on protests

European nations have suspended some aid to Burundi, officials said on Monday (11 April), cranking up international pressure on the donor-reliant African nation over a crackdown on protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza's quest for a third term of office.

Brexit referendum looms after Tory election victory

David Cameron is set to pull off a surprise victory in the United Kingdom’s general election, putting Britain on course to hold a referendum on its membership of the European Union, and raising questions over Scotland’s future in the UK.

Parliament gearing up for European Citizens’ Initiative review

MEPs discussed Thursday (26 February) reforming the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), whose three-year review is planned for this year.

Hungarians rally to remind Orbán of Western allegiance

Several thousand people demonstrated outside Hungary's parliament on Sunday, telling the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to respect its Western ties a day before a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Elections boosted belief that Europeans have a voice

Despite the victory of Euroscepticism in the EU elections, more Europeans believe their voice counts in the EU than ever before. EURACTIV France reports.

UK warns MEPs against evangelical attack on EU development aid

EXCLUSIVE / The British government has warned European lawmakers that a bid by conservative Christian groups to ban EU funding for activities linked to abortion or the destruction of human embryos could obstruct life-saving operations in the developing world, in a briefing note seen by EURACTIV.

EU pledges action after 1.9m citizens demand ‘right’ to water

The European Union's executive pledged on Wednesday (19 March) to improve access to clean water across the region, responding to a 1.9-million-strong petition from citizens demanding recognition of their right to water.

EU Conservatives call single candidate election campaigns a ‘1950-style vision’

The Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR) announced on Thursday (20 February) that they would not put forward a candidate for the European Commission presidency, calling the parties’ initiative for single candidates “an old 1950-style vision”.

Parliament kicks off debate on the legal right to water

The European Parliament launched the debate yesterday (17 February) on the first successful European citizens’ initiative, on the right to water. While MEPs largely expressed support for its main aim, they were divided on whether water services should be private or public.