For the European Union, 2024 is a year full of challenges and uncertainties, both internally and externally. The Belgian Presidency of the Council, from 1 January to 30 June, has among its priorities the defense of the rule of law, democracy and the unity of the European project. A key moment that coincides with the celebration of the European Elections between June 6 and 9, an uncertain election that will mark a new political cycle in the European Union, and that will be decisive in terms of its legitimacy and internal support, as well as its role in world politics.

It is worth highlighting aspects such as the rise of the extreme right in the European Parliament, the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, enhancing the competitiveness and strategic autonomy of the EU, the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, intensifying the green and digital transition, the enlargement and possible reform of the Treaties, the relations with the Global South, among others. All this against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable and tense international geopolitics, marked by conflicts and inherited wars, as well as by electoral scenarios of major importance, such as in the United States, India and Taiwan.  

Both intertwined scenarios put in the spotlight the strength of democratic systems in the world, and the humanitarian setback and respect for fundamental rights, also in the EU.

We will talk about all this in the first Cafè Europa of the year, dedicated to "What issues will mark the European agenda in 2024? 

The dialogue is organized by the Fundació Catalunya Europa in collaboration with the Barcelona Center for European Studies (BACES), and we will have the following speakers:

• Beatriz Navarro, journalist and correspondent of La Vanguardia in Brussels.
• Juan Antonio Mayoral, distinguished researcher at the Carlos III University of Madrid and Jean Monnet Prometheus Chair in interdisciplinary European studies. 

The Cafè Europa is a series of online debates organized by the Fundació Catalunya Europa on the first Wednesday of each month, with an informative character to bring European and international issues to the citizens.

To participate it is essential to register here.

BACES TEAM