First EU Talks?! session discusses EU rule of law
On 16 May 2024, EU Talks?!, a student-based initiative, was delighted to organise its first session with the following theme: ‘Rule of Law in the EU: Beyond Poland and Hungary'.
The speakers on this panel discussion included both guests from the political arena and academics. Students welcomed Tineke Strik, Member of European Parliament (Greens/EFA Greens/European Free Alliance), Maksymilian Krogel, lecturer in European Law at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Humanities and doctoral researcher at the European University Institute in Florence.
The panel discussion was moderated by Anna Walczak (European Law student at Leiden University and co-founder of Our Rule of Law Foundation). The discussion covered the key topic of the rule of law from a more pragmatic and general perspective, therefore avoiding too much focus on Poland and Hungary. Concerns about democratic backsliding in Member States such as Slovakia, mechanisms behind that backsliding and the need to address these concerns at their root also came up.
The guests then took questions from the audience, which comprised students from various degree programmes. The speakers also shared their own understandings and ideas about the practical aspects of life as a Member of Parliament or a researcher and lecturer. After the session, participants continued their discussions at a drinks reception.
The EU Talks?! team received lots of enthusiastic feedback from the audience and speakers. The audience looked forward to the next session, which will be on the theme of EU agricultural policy. There will be a specific focus on the tension between the need for climate ambition versus the need for consideration as expressed in the recent Dutch farmers' protests.
Interested in attending one of our sessions? More information is available on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram): EU Talks?!