Die Gemengelage in Österreich zur EU-Mitgliedschaft ist ambivalent, so ÖGfE-Generalsekretär Paul Schmidt. Die Mehrheit unterstützt die EU-Mitgliedschaft, aber Meinungen über gemeinsames vs. nationalstaatliches Handeln sind gespalten. Die Zahl der Austrittsbefürworter ist gestiegen, vermutlich aufgrund aktueller Krisen und einer polarisierenden politischen Diskussion. Doch angesichts der bevorstehenden Europawahlen ist eine konstruktive Diskussion über die Zukunftsthemen notwendig. Lösungsorientiertes Handeln und gemeinsame Argumentation sollten im Vordergrund stehen.

Fake news and disinformation are flourishing not only since the beginning of the COVID 19-pandemic and the war in Ukraine. External actors, such as Russia and China, have been trying to negatively influence democratic processes in the European Union and undermine the liberal model of democracy already for a long time. The same goes for internal actors, e.g. eurosceptical and extremist groups as well as certain media outlets, who contribute to spreading disinformation in the EU. These trends are further amplified by social media platforms and the use of artificial intelligence. Deep fakes, filter bubbles and echo chambers are used to deceive, influence and manipulate people’s perceptions, thus increasing social and political polarization in society. In the run-up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024, a rise of disinformation campaigns and attacks on democratic and European electoral processes are expected – a risk which should not be underestimated and must be tackled in due time. Disinformation – what does it mean? Who are the main actors spreading fake news within the EU? Which role does the EU play in the fight against disinformation? Which measures work well, where is the need for improvement? How strongly are we, as citizens, affected by disinformation in our daily life and what can every one of us do in order to recognise fake news and distinguish them from trustworthy information? If you are between 18 and 30 years old and interested in discussing these questions with peers as well as learn more about how disinformation affects democratic processes, we invite you to take part in the RADAR Youth lab taking place on Monday, 13th November 2023 in Vienna

Europa Club Wien Spezial PODIUMSDISKUSSION im Rahmen des EU-Projektes RADAR (Raising Awareness on Disinformation, Achieving Resilience) Montag, 23. Oktober 2023, 18:00 Uhr (Einlass ab 17:00 Uhr) Haus der EU, Wipplingerstraße 35, 1010 Wien Fake News – Was ist das eigentlich? Wer sind die Hauptakteure, die Desinformation in der EU verbreiten? Welche Rolle spielt die EU im Kampf gegen Desinformation? Welche Maßnahmen funktionieren gut und wo gibt es noch Nachbesserungsbedarf – gerade im Vorfeld der Europawahlen 2024? Wie stark sind wir alle von Desinformation betroffen und was kann der/die Einzelne tun, um Fake News zu erkennen und von seriösen Informationen zu unterscheiden?

Die EU dürfe nicht nur als Währungsunion wahrgenommen werden, schreiben Martin Selmayr, Vertreter der Europäischen Kommission in Österreich, und Paul Schmidt, Generalsekretär der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Europapolitik, in ihrem Gastkommentar. Den geplanten Sozialgipfel 2024 halten sie für ein wichtiges Signal.

Der Generalsekretär der österreichischen Gesellschaft für Europapolitik, Paul Schmidt, spricht im Interview mit Anchor René Ach.

Vor den Europawahlen im nächsten Jahr wäre es der richtige Zeitpunkt, Linie vorzugeben und den Menschen Orientierung zu bieten. Von der Leyen sollte diese Chance nützen und klar machen, warum es gerade jetzt eine starke, solidarische Union braucht.

By: Ardian Hackaj
On the one hand, there is a gap between the six countries of the Western Balkans and their partners in the European Union, and on the other hand, the speed of their convergence towards the EU defines the pace of enlargement progress. All Western Balkan countries are engaged in reforms that are transforming their institutions, developing their economies, and improving the quality of life of their citizens. The EU, through its enlargement mechanism, is supporting them. But on their way to membership, their economies must grow quickly to catch up with their EU peers, and local infrastructure must be upgraded and extended. Domestic institutions should complete the reforms and also deliver on the rule of law, justice reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as security and fundamental rights. The author of this Policy Brief creates a methodological framework that links the local infrastructure, domestic institutions, and people, allowing us to understand the dynamics and complexity of sustainable and resilient development paths as well as identify entry points for the Western Balkans and EU policy-makers.

By: Anna Krasteva
In the short period of two years, from 4 April 2021 to 2 April 2023, Bulgaria’s citizens were sent to the polls to vote in six elections: five snap general elections and one presidential election. Citizens are overwhelmed and exhausted. The exceptional has become the most constant: crisis, argues the author of this Policy Brief. The Policy Brief analyses the symbolic battles between elites and citizens for framing and dominating political crises and offers policy recommendations.

By: Nikolaos Tzifakis, Anastasios Valvis
When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.

By: Fanni Elek, Christina Griessler
Democratic governments are expected to engage with civil society organisations and give them the “space” they need to fulfil their roles in society. Due to their importance in supporting democratic transition, especially in EU candidate countries, the EU is providing them with Pre-accession funding. The authors of this Policy Brief focus on the role of civil society organisations in the two post-socialist countries of Hungary and Serbia by analysing the data provided by the Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index and offer policy recommendations.

By: Petar Mrdović
In 2018, the European Commission launched the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, which supports the transition of the region into a digital economy and society, including higher economic growth, more employment opportunities, and better services. It focuses on lowering the cost of roaming, deploying broadband, building capacity in digital trust, and digitalising industries. The author of this Policy Brief explores the state of digitalisation in the Western Balkans, the role of the organisations involved in this transformation, and offers policy recommendations.

By: Radomir Aleksić, Luka Milovanović, Mirjana Đorđević
A vibrant civil society contributes to fulfilling the conditions for EU membership. That is why the European Union promotes citizen participation in social and political life in candidate and potential candidate countries, monitors their policies towards their civil society bodies, and provides financial support from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, and especially the Civil Society Facility. "Democratisation from below" empowers citizens to participate in the political process and encourages individuals to be informed, voice their opinions, and take part in decision-making. The authors of this Policy Brief explore this concept as a bottom-up approach to democracy, emphasising the active role of citizens and civil society organisations in promoting and sustaining democratic values. Moreover, they provide specific examples from Serbia, showcasing the power of individual actions and initiatives to bring about positive change.

51 Prozent wollen „sicher“ ihre Stimme abgeben | 72 Prozent befürchten Beeinflussung durch Fake News

47 Prozent für mehr gemeinsames - 43 Prozent für mehr nationalstaatliches Handeln | 52 Prozent halten Unterstützung der Ukraine für wichtig

78 Prozent sagen, EU-Mitgliedschaft ist gute Sache | 70 Prozent sehen Klimaschutz als wichtigste EU-Priorität

25 Prozent fühlen sich über Tätigkeit des EU-Parlaments gut informiert | 49 Prozent halten EU-Wahlen für wichtig

Zustimmung zu Westbalkan-Ländern und Ukraine unter 30 % / 36 % für Schengen-Beitritt Rumäniens (44 % dagegen), 38 % für jenen Bulgariens (42 % dagegen)

61 Prozent gegen NATO-Mitgliedschaft - 67 Prozent für engere Zusammenarbeit in Sicherheit und Verteidigung - Für 51 Prozent weitere Unterstützung der Ukraine im Kampf gegen russischen Angriff wichtig

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.

Die ÖGfE hat das Abstimmungsverhalten aller österreichischen EU-Abgeordneten zu ausgewählten Punkten der Tagesordnung beobachtet.