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FEPS Newsletter 13 Jan 2025 – ✊ Ready to take on the new year with us?

Strong start to the year – If you have problems displaying this email, follow this […]
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13/01/2025
Strong start to the year –

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link

Happy New Year from FEPS team! We hope you enjoyed a restful winter break and are feeling energised for the year ahead. Our commitment in 2025 is to bring you fresh analysis and inspiring arguments helping the development of progressive policies even if we now live in an era of uncertainty and global transformation.
 

The evolving political landscape in Europe and the shocks of American politics have brought us into a new reality which is easily described as dystopian. This is no time for false optimism, but one for stock taking and perhaps discussing a new strategy. Social democrats need to reconnect with their core voting base but also a wider public which is open to join efforts for a society with more fairness, an economy with more innovation and an environment with more sustainability. In the face of adversity, we must stand firm in our progressive values and uphold the institutions needed for justice, peace and prosperity. 
 

FEPS remains steadfast in its mission and will actively contribute to the intellectual and political debates that these times demand.
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Progressive Yearbook launch
 

📅  29 JANUARY 2025

📍 FEPS HQ

Progressive Yearbook launch

Join us at the launch of the  sixth edition of one of our most unique publications, the Progressive Yearbook. We will also reveal and interview FEPS Progressive Person of the Year.
 

With the mission of bringing forward analysis of the key political developments of the year, the Progressive Yearbook focuses on transversal European issues that have left a mark on 2024. It brings insightful future-looking analysis and symbolises FEPS’ readiness to put it into perspective. Find out more. 
>
Time to build a European digital ecosystem
 

📅  14 JANUARY 2025

📍 FEPS HQ (HYBRID)

Time to build a European digital ecosystem

Recommendations for the EU’s digital policy

How should Europeans react when Elon Musk uses X for his right-wing propaganda? What will be the impact of META’s policy change on fact checking which contradicts the EU’s legal requirements? With the changes on the other side of the Atlantic, Europe’s dependency on US firms to provide digital infrastructure is an urgent political issue.
 

We’ll discuss these implications at the launch of the latest📕policy study ‘Time to build a European ecosystem’. 
 

The EU needs to resist the pressure of Big Tech firms and enforce the digital regulations passed to protect citizens and society. We must build capacity by investing in Digital Public Infrastructure and an industrial policy that will support European initiatives in digital transformation. Register to follow it live! 
>
11th Barbara Prammer Symposium
 

📅  17 JANUARY 2025

📍 VIENNA, AUSTRIA

11th Barbara Prammer Symposium

Money. Power. Equality. The benefits of gender budgeting

Where does funding go, who benefits, and how can budgets be made gender-inclusive? EU treaties, along with the Austrian constitution, provide a clear mandate. However, the journey from goals to implementation remains challenging. 
 

Together with experts from the EU, federal, and municipal levels, we will discuss the prerequisites for a feminist and gender-equitable fiscal and budgetary policy. Read more. 
>
Capital and wealth taxation in the EU
 

📅  4 FEBRUARY 2025

📍 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Capital and wealth taxation in the EU

Large multinational corporations and the ultra-wealthy find ways to avoid paying their fair share, leaving the heaviest tax burden on workers and the middle class. This dynamic worsens income and wealth inequality. It is time to rebalance the tax system to alleviate the strain on workers and the middle class, while ensuring corporations and the ultra-rich contribute fairly. Join us as we explore the path to reforming wealth and capital income taxation. Register now! 
>

Past events

See all past events

12 DEC – FEPS HQ

From posts to polls

Lessons from the 2024 European elections on strengthening young people’s engagement through effective social media strategies
 

During this event, we launched our 📕policy study “From posts to polls”, which explores how political parties sought to engage young voters on Facebook and Instagram in Germany, Sweden, Hungary, and Poland before the elections. 
Lessons from the 2024 European Elections on strengthening young people’s engagement through effective social media strategies

It reveals that social media has become a primary source of political information for young people – an opportunity seized by the far right but not by social democrats, despite being among the most liked and least rejected by this demographic. This study also provides critical insights to counter extremist narratives.
 

📻 Also, tune in to the FEPS Talk episode ‘Right turns and Left leans: A new gender divide in young voters?’.
 
Podcast
Listen to the podcast 'Civil society wants a new EU social agenda'

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Civil society wants a new EU social agenda

With Anne Van Lancker and László Andor
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website | Youtube

In this episode of FEPS Talks, Anne Van Lancker, President of SOLIDAR, discusses the EU’s evolving social agenda with FEPS Secretary General László Andor.
 

Civil society organisations united in SOLIDAR view the European Pillar of Social Rights as a game changer, inspiring further progress in social policy across the EU. While the past years have been marked by a ‘Golden Age’ of EU social policy initiatives, the focus must now shift to ensuring effective implementation.
 

With the recent establishment of a poverty reduction target, the upcoming anti-poverty strategy from the European Commission will be a vital tool. The recognition of housing as a European concern is also welcomed, with social NGOs eager to contribute to a collective effort to learn from best practices and develop an effective EU policy.
 

However, even more is needed, particularly in better coordinating economic and social policies, to ensure that the EU pursues an investment-oriented approach rather than returning to austerity.
Publications

China: Dangerous rival or cooperation partner?

How can EU-China relations develop in a changing world with geopolitical conflicts?

A book by Gerhard Stahl
 

This book is a valuable contribution to the development of a European strategy for China and a convincing plea for international cooperation to solve global problems like climate change and underdevelopment.
 

It explores China’s economic and political evolution through a factual lens, enriched by diverse perspectives from business, politics, and academia. The analysis delves into historical context, economic competition, and the causes and consequences of geopolitical tensions.
 

📰 Check out the article by Brussels Express on the book.
China: Dangerous rival or cooperation partner?
 
Read me
Progressive Post
Europe in 2025: from disquiet to ambition

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Europe in 2025: from disquiet to ambition

Article by Maria João Rodrigues, FEPS President
 

The EU’s boat is fragile and navigating uncertain waters, but it remains our best chance of sailing the current high waves if we are bold and ambitious.

Read this week’s Progressive Page by FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues to learn how to strengthen the EU and make it capable of facing the challenges ahead. Read more.

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Ue, la competitività non è nulla senza i diritti sociali

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"In the EU, competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in La Repubblica, former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen) and Anna Diamantopoúlou (part of FEPS' Bureau) remind European leaders that deregulation will only make Europe poorer and that only social sovereignty will make it stronger

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by Fondation Jean-Jaurès 06/05/2026
“A civic revolution, not yet a social revolution” Interview with László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, published by Fondation Jean-Jaurès (FR), analysing the electoral defeat of Viktor Orbán, the emergence of a broad opposition movement in Hungary, and the prospects for democratic renewal, EU relations and social change following what he describes as a “civic revolution” that has yet to deliver a social transformation.

Anna Diamantopoúlou, Nicolas Schmit und László Andor über eine Wettbewerbsfähigkeit, die ohne soziale Rechte wertlos ist

by Tageblatt 06/05/2026
"Competitiveness is nothing without social rights" In this article published in Tageblatt, Former European Commissioners Nicolas Schmit (FEPS President), László Andor (FEPS SecGen), and Anna Diamantopoulou (FEPS Bureau member) warn EU leaders that deregulation is a path to economic decline. They argue that Europe’s true strength lies not in cutting rules, but in achieving social sovereignty

Jön a pénz! Magyar Péter beváltja az ígéretét?

by KlikkTV 04/05/2026
“Money is coming! Will Péter Magyar deliver on his promise?” Video Interview published on KlikkTV (HU), featuring László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, discussing EU funds to Hungary, their political conditionality, and the importance of fair distribution, rule of law and social investment within the European Union.