All opinions

State of the European Union speech Underplays Climate Crisis and the Green Deal Future
Lead candidates Duarte and Rhia assess Ursula von der Leyen's EU address, its climate impact, and the 2024 European elections.

Sustainable Tech: Repair, Reuse, and Rethink
Discover how Volt Europa is leading the charge for a 'Right to Repair' revolution in Europe, tackling electronic waste and promoting sustainability.

As 2024 European Elections Loom, Climate Inaction is Leading to Major Issues
Summer 2023's climate chaos in Europe: wildfires, droughts, and political inertia. Explore the causes, impacts, and Volt Europa's climate policies.

The lack of women in politics is hurting us all. Let’s fix it!
Gender parity in politics is on the horizon! Unfortunately, at the current rate of change, none of us will live to see it.

Uniting for Peace: The Role of a United Europe in a Turbulent World
Discover how a united Europe can address global challenges and promote peace on International Day of Peace.

The Responsibilities of the EU Before Facing Expansion
EU expansion challenges and reforms ahead. Learn about responsibilities, reforms, and the debate on unanimity.

Spain should lead the way against Euroscepticism
As the President of the Council of the EU, can Spain lead the way to a more united European Union?

A Journey from Berlin to Bucharest: Rails, Reflections and Border Checks
Jacob Lippold reminisces about taking the train to join our General Assembly in Bucharest and talks about the future of European international rail.
![The outline of a woman in black and white. Credits: Alecska [Follow the Story] on Flickr, by CC BY-NC-ND 2.0](https://assets.volteuropa.org/styles/crop_320x160/public/2023-07/3481282882_1eb5c8cf14_o.jpg)
Join the Fight: Defend Human Rights, Combat Human Trafficking!
Criminal justice approaches have failed – we need to centre our strategies on the victims

Vote for Nature: Protecting Europe's Future with the Nature Restoration Law
As Europeans, we still have a chance to persuade EU Parliamentarians to cast thoughtful votes and support nature restoration but we have to act now!

Escalating Climate Crisis: Spain and the Mediterranean Call for Urgent Action
As temperatures rise and weather becomes more extreme, we must see and use our vote as a powerful tool for climate change mitigation.

To build a new Europe, transgender rights must be central
Ensuring that transgender people are able to live their lives to the fullest must become a moral imperative.

The limits to degrowth
In May 2023, MEPs, academics and advocates met in Brussels to discuss our future #BeyondGrowth. How can the EU lead us towards green growth?

EU Council Agreement on a common European Asylum System is a step in the wrong direction
Only by truly treating asylum as a European issue, instead of a national issue, can we solve its current crisis.

A deeper look into the election that will shape Turkey’s relationship with the EU in the next 5 years
Ahead of the run-off of Turkish elections, we dig deeper on how this election will shape the EU’s relationship with the country.

Emmanuel Macron's 'climate regulatory pause' is a bad signal for Europe
Emmanuel Macron called for a "European environmental regulatory pause" but this is not the time to take a break from the fight against climate change.

The most undemocratic champion of democracy
The European Union has been a beacon of hope for the continent but its democratic shortcomings have come to light recently.

Protests work: Climate activism holds the key
Climate activism is no replacement for good regulations and well-written laws. Without it though, change will just not happen at the speed we need.

Europe needs a humane and coordinated migration process now!
Recent events in the Mediterranean Sea demonstrate that asylum rights and protection must be reinforced.

A Retirement Reform Disconnected from Contemporary Issues
Debate on pension reform in France highlights the need for a system reform taking into account all challenges of today's society.

With rights being restricted worldwide, Europe must push for universal reproductive freedom
With reproductive rights under attack across the Atlantic, Europe must not waver on ensuring its citizens have access to vital healthcare.

No to Fences — Yes to a Europe of Solidarity!
Fortress Europe” is not the solution. ‘Fortress Europe’ is at the core of the problem”, says Volt.

Give Ukraine what it needs and give it now!
Volt urges European leaders to send Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible!

Coal vs. Climate: Lützerath must stay!
Volt demands the immediate stop to the plans to excavate more brown coal in the North-Rhine Westphalia region.

Jacinda Ardern was an inspiration to women in politics
As New Zealand’s 40th PM steps down, we look at female political representation across Europe and how Volt intends to bring gender parity to politics.

COP15 Biodiversity Accord is a good start, but it can be better
Volt calls for increased policy attention to biodiversity preservation in Europe!

Volt calls for the abolition of veto power in the European Council
Volt calls for the abolition of the Veto power in the Council and for another vote to approve Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen.

The risks of American protectionism to EU industries
The recent American protectionist measures will add another blow that will likely accelerate a widespread de-centralisation of Europe.

We need a real European High Speed Rail Network
The climate problem of Europeans flying everywhere is clear by now, but it would be a lot smaller if Europe had a real European High Speed Network.

Part sale of European Infrastructure: One small step for Olaf Scholz, one giant leap for China’s silk road
Volt continues to criticise plan to give Chinese state-owned company stake in the port of Hamburg

Why the EU must centrally procure arms
As NATO partners agree to jointly procure air defence systems, it’s time to reflect on how the EU could enhance its security through joint procurement

The State of the EU in 2022: We need a stronger, reformed European Union
The SOTEU speech provides a response to the current crises in Europe, but it didn’t lay out a detailed plan to address institutional shortcomings.

Disability and ableism in the European Union, what politics can (and must) do
If we want to overcome the ableism still largely dominating the political debate, we also need to have much more diverse political representation.

Where nationalism is born, support for Europe will grow
AUR's entry into Parliament was a shock to both the current political class and civil society.

Moldovan elections – Crossroads or hotfix?
Stakes are high as pro-European Maia Sandu won the first electoral round against incumbent President Igor Dodon.

Why the EU should push for Taiwan’s presence at the WHO assembly
With the World Health Assembly resuming its activities next week, Europe must rise to the occasion

Europe. The last herbivore in a world full of carnivores.
From Government officials to European diplomats, we have heard this expression is repeated as a bleak assessment on the EU’s foreign policy.

Reproductive healthcare is the foundation of gender equality!
Without safe and equal access to contraceptives for all, women’s sexual health and freedom will remain under siege.

Europe needs a ‘Two Chinas’ Doctrine
The EU will be able to truly make its mark when working with China only through a bold and comprehensive strategy.

Discussing Life on Lesbos with a Member of the European Parliament
Interview mit Damian Boeselager on Spotify

Europeans’ moral grandstanding must be backed up with actions, not pretty words
Kim Leonard Smouter, Volt Belgium’s lead candidate in the European 2019 elections, writes a response to the killings of people of African descent...

European Union, solidarity should not only be a word
Sofia Gentiloni Silveri and Joel Boehme in "La Repubblica"