Press release

Towards a New Model for European Governance

14.11.2018

“Towards a New Model for European Governance: from Macro-regionalisation vs. Minilateralism to an Institutional Reform of the EU” is a policy paper written by Mag. Sebastian Schäffer,  a Think Visegrad Non-V4 Fellow at GLOBSEC in 2018.

Over the course of his fellowship, Sebastian conducted interviews and research which resulted in this unique policy paper, which seeks to contribute to the debate on European governance by offering a different idea for institutional reform. While the paper acknowledges that a macro-regional approach is best suited to alleviating the multiple crises facing the EU instead, there is a need for a more output-driven approach. The recommendations move beyond this discussion and offer a solution for the “Dilemma der Gleichzeitigkeit” (dilemma of simultaneity). Key recommendations are as follows:       

  1. Reduce the number of Commissioners to 15.
  2. Elect the European Parliament in a truly pan-European way.
  3. Abolish the Council of the European Union and integrate it into the European Council.
  4. Establish a Council of the European Regions.

Presentation of the policy paper took place at GLOBSEC headquarters on 7 November 2018. It was attended by 25 participants coming from the different sectors, including representatives of academia, government and non-governmental organisations located in Bratislava.

You can read the full analysis in the attachment below.

Sebastian Schäffer is a Research Associate at the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM) in Vienna and the Secretary-General of the Danube Rectors’ Conference (DRC). He holds an Honour’s Master’s degree in East European Studies from the University of Regensburg and a Master’s degree from Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich.

Think Visegrad – V4 Think Tank Platform is a network for structured dialogue on issues of strategic regional importance. The network analyses key issues for the Visegrad Group and provides recommendations to the governments of V4 countries, the annual presidencies of the group, and the International Visegrad Fund. For more information about Think Visegrad and its members visit www.thinkvisegrad.org