European Union

Nato plans to boost its military presence in eastern Europe as of 2017. Alliance defence ministers discussed the details of the plan at a meeting in Brussels this week. A total of 4,000 troops are to be stationed in the Baltic states and Poland. For some commentators this is a clever preemptive move in the context of Russian aggression. Others fear an escalation in the conflict with Moscow.

With six months to go before France's presidential election in April and May 2017, the incumbent head of state François Hollande is lagging far behind in the polls. Only four percent of the French are satisfied with his performance. Commentators speculate that this could push many Socialists to make an unusual decision.

In a draft resolution passed on Tuesday the European Parliament calls for the establishment of a system for regular monitoring of the state of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in all EU member states. This could lead to the abolishment of the current system under which only Bulgaria and Romania are monitored. Bulgaria's press is divided.

After two elections and months of deadlock Spain is finally getting a new government. The socialist PSOE party has decided to back a minority government led by Mariano Rajoy and his conservative People's Party - a course they initially rejected after the election in June. Journalists predict that the Socialists will have a hard time supporting the conservatives.

AMENDMENTS 1 - 250 - Draft report Addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of the EU External Action
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development

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Delegations

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On 10 November, SEDE/AFCO Committees will hold a first joint exchange of views on the INI report “Constitutional, legal and institutional implications of the CSDP: possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty”. The report will examine the legal possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty as well as the necessary institutional set-up to make CSDP more operational.
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Spaniards were asked to vote once again on 26 June, six months after inconclusive parliamentary elections. These second elections confirmed the change in the political landscape that had previously been dominated by two parties – the centre-right Partido Popular (PP) and the Socialists (PSOE). Whereas governments had previously been formed with an absolute majority, the rise of the left-wing Podemos and centrist Ciudadanos (Citizens) means a future of pacts and strategic alliances.

Surveys suggested that in June young Spaniards opted for the two new parties, who came third and fourth respectively in the overall election result. Among voters aged 18-34, Podemos polled at
36% and Ciudadanos at 26%. The establishment parties, PSOE and the PP, received 18% and 11% respectively. But the overall result gave the PP victory, with its leader, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, delivering a triumphant speech that boasted of Spain’s economic growth, the progressive creation of employment, and four years of stability. This message resonated heavily with the stability-driven older generation throughout the campaign.

Despite their popularity with young people, Podemos came third in June’s elections. This support for the leftwingers largely reflects young people’s difficult social and employment situation. Spain’s youth unemployment rate currently stands at 45%. 15.6% of those aged 15-24 neither study nor work (the EU average is 12%). Spain’s young people have greatly suffered the effects of the economic crisis and austerity policies. Last year alone, 209,000 young Spaniards between the ages of 20 and 35 left the country.

Podemos has channelled the growing indignation of young Spaniards. The party was very critical of how the PP government implemented EU austerity measures, damaging Spain’s longstanding
support for the EU. According to a June study by the Pew Research Center, 53% of Spaniards now view the EU unfavourably. The rate among young people is only slightly lower, at 47%. The study also found Spaniards to be especially critical of how the EU has handled the economic crisis.

2016 sees Spain celebrating the 30th anniversary of its entry into the EU. It’s a crucial and timely moment to assess pro-EU sentiment in Spain, particularly among the country’s young people, in the light of anger over EU-led austerity. To have a chance at mending the bridges between Spain and the EU, we Spaniards must move on from blaming the EU for our misfortunes and finally understand that our success is based on mutually dependence. Young Spaniards, especially, must strengthen their commitment to the EU, and support the European project – which is also the Spanish project.

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will take place on Wednesday 9 November, 9:00-11:00 and 15:00-18:30, and Thursday 10 November, 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.

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General : Yazidi survivors and public advocates Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar were announced as this year's Sakharov Prize laureates during this week's plenary session in Strasbourg. In addition MEPs called on the European Commission to regulate harmful trans fats in processed food. They also adopted Parliament's position on the EU's budget for next year, insisting on more funds to boost growth, tackle the migration crisis and help to find young people work. Read on for an overview.

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