Lawfare Daily: The EU Parliamentary Elections and What’s Ahead with Molly Reynolds, Tara Varma, and Sophie Roehse
May 28, 2024
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Brookings experts Molly Reynolds, Tara Varma, and Sophie Roehse discuss the upcoming EU Parliamentary elections and their implications on European and U.S. politics, including the war in Ukraine, relations with China, and asylum seekers. They delve into the EU's legislative functions, national party elections, far-right party strategies, and transatlantic security challenges.
The European Parliament impacts European policy through direct elections and collaboration with other EU institutions.
The EU's stance towards China balances economic interests with transatlantic cooperation and shared values.
Deep dives
EU Parliament and Legislative Role
The European Parliament functions as one of the two legislative institutions within the European Union, along with the Council of the EU. It plays a crucial role in revising and amending legislation, approving new laws, and ensuring democratic legitimacy through direct elections by citizens. The Parliament collaborates with the European Commission and the European Council but does not have legislative initiative. Its 720 seats, allocated based on population sizes of member states, directly impact European policy.
European Party Structure and Populism
The European party structure mirrors national party ideologies, with the European People's Party, Socialists and Democrats, and other groups representing different political orientations at the EU level. Populist movements have influenced party coalitions with far-right parties like AFD in Germany and National Rally in France aligning in the European Parliament. Despite ideological connections, differences exist, leading to disagreements on policy areas, including foreign policy.
EU Support for Ukraine and Role in Response to Russia
The EU has been instrumental in providing aid and support to Ukraine following Russia's invasion, aligning with the US on sanctions and aid. EU funds have surpassed US assistance, focusing on financial aid rather than military support. The European Parliament has approved measures like the European Peace Facility for lethal weapons to non-EU states. Support for Ukraine is bipartisan, but debates arise on migration and defense policy implications after the elections.
EU-China Relations and Transatlantic Cooperation
The European Union's stance towards China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival reflects complex dynamics in economic and geopolitical relations. Despite potential tensions with the US, the EU aims for transatlantic cooperation on shared concerns about China's trajectory. Initiatives like investigations into Chinese EVs and economic security strategies signal a nuanced approach balancing European industrial interests with shared transatlantic values.
Between June 6–9, voters across the EU’s member states will go to the polls to select members of the European Parliament. For today’s episode, Brookings Senior Fellow and Lawfare Senior Editor Molly Reynolds chatted with Tara Varma, Visiting Fellow, and Sophie Roehse, Senior Research Assistant, both of the Center for the United States and Europe at Brookings, to discuss these elections, what they mean for European politics, and how they might affect key issues also facing the U.S., including the war in Ukraine, relations with China, and how to handle asylum seekers.
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