Congratulations – you are now President of the European Union!

(Let's pretend for a second that a Presidential role exists and it’s you!)

As the President, you can decide what the most important issues are for Europe.  What would you change to make things better? How would you do that?

In reality, decision-making in the EU is a complex process and does not lie in the hands of just one institution or person. Generally, the European Commission proposes laws which then need to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council. Each of the EU’s institutions has its own President but they don’t have absolute power, and they can’t interfere in EU countries’ authority.

Ideas

10 April, 2017 - 17:19

European Citizenship is under savage and sustained attack by the Far Right in many EU Countries - this attack being supported partly by Mr Putin, but also by other agents. The most successful attack so far is in the UK, where a far-Right government has dishonestly and undemocratically obtained a vote to leave the EU, partly as a result of the subversion of British democracy, and partly as a result of telling huge lies to the British Public. It is crucially important to expose and reverse this in the UK , so that the enemies of democracy across the EU and elsewhere are taught the lesson that the theft of democracy simply will not work in the EU. As President of the EU my first task will be to ensure that our European Citizenship is protected and ring-fenced from those that wish to destroy democracy. Please could you also ensure that the current President receives a copy of this message.

5 April, 2017 - 16:34

We are in an English Class. One of the students would open the borders to allow inmigrant to enter the European Union. If I were the European Union, I would foster state buildings in order to avoid having to buy expensive flat and, therefore, the cost of the rents would decrease. Some student would erradicate the army and he would use the army make peace and not war. The teacher agrees because She is a hippie. I would invest on efficient and clean energies. He would create more accesible areas for people who are disabled. I would invest on healthy food and healthy life style. Some student would decrease the salaries of the politicians and he would send them to rave parties. If I were the president, I would promote interrail as well. We would also promote Less taxes for parents with two children, free kindergarden and free education as other students claim.

9 February, 2017 - 15:06

I'd change the EU to United States of Europe, a federal system (English has to be the second offical language, so that everyone can communicate with each other). Also I'd support the "Interrail-Idea" for the european youth. Furthermore I'd like to change the families' situation. Less taxes for parents with two children, free kindergarden and free education. Money shouldn't stop couples from having children. Also I'd give every town in Europe a twin city, so that the schools (and also towns in general) have at least one partner for exchanges. Living intercultural friendships und experiencing the european idea. It would help to create an european identity, I experienced it by myself.And very important: Explain decisions to the people, so that they will stop hating and understand why it is needed. Make sure that EVERY country is euqal (I'm german, and I know that Merkel misbehaves and is reponsible for the bad mood in EU, at this point: sorry for that. Not everyone is with her!)Also every European country should have the Euro. And, the most important thing: Listen. Especially to the young people. They, WE, are the future, we should have a bigger influence (also a way to make youth interested in politics. Give them a voice and influence!)

1 February, 2017 - 21:16

I would change the EU to federal Staat with a President and a Parliament. In the Parliament there are European Parties so that your not vote for the Labour Partie or Consevativ parties in your Country you vote for the Europen Socialist Party or for the European Conservativs! Then I would make a minimum wage for all Countries of the European Union in the amount of 2 Euro! Why only 2 Euro, because this minimum wage is not only for West European Countries for South and East to. But this Minimum wage should move up every year. I would also do that every Country have the Euro!

1 February, 2017 - 17:17

Move towards a european federation! It was the main idea at the beginning, 60 years ago and we shouldn't forget it. Furthermore, current challenges are not local but global and being a federation is the best way to work to solve those challenges (climat change, fiscal fraud, security and defence problems...)

1 February, 2017 - 15:44

Reforming education in order to promote the development of individuals with non formal education. Knowing oneself helps to understand others, managing emotions helps to avoid conflicts, travel help to understand the differences and build tolerance and peace, this would help European Union to become leader on peace. I would also reform the politics : governments should be representative of populations and every minorities should be present in the governments. People should be chosen randomly for 1 year to be part of government (paid by taxes) with few people elected to help leading the reflexions. this is real democracy !

8 October, 2016 - 10:49

I would reform education to increase European education, civic education and critical thinking in class. I would reform the EU to be more transparent, more appealing and more democratic. I would concentrate my policy on a better and greater debate with Youth in order to create a modern Europe that listens to its people

27 September, 2016 - 16:12

I think that a big problem we have in Europe is that people seem only to see a choice between "more Europe" or "less Europe". I believe we can have both - my policy would be to further the integration (for example, to better integrate the armed forces of the member-states that are also NATO members), and decrease the the involvement of the Union in the social policies of the member-states (fewer regulations).

27 September, 2016 - 16:04

If I were at the head of the EU, I'd harmonise secondary education in all the EU which would result in having one European school-leaving certificate. I'd make sure every pupil leaves school being fluent in another language than his by sending language teachers to different countries to teach their language.I'd also heavily invest in high speed trains between Member States.

27 September, 2016 - 13:44

I would implement the nordic model, with relatively high taxes that ultimately contribute to better welfare for everyone in areas such as health care, education, elder care. I would also keep on promoting and implementing a very environmentally friendly urban culture, that would encourage use of bicycles and feet instead of cars, also placing an emphasis on green spaces and minimalist, eco-friendly style when it comes to architecture. I would improve education by introducing mandatory subjects related to humans' psychology - understanding one's emotions, others' emotions, conflict solving strategies, parenting training, underatanding what behaviour and mindsets are beneficial for romantic, friendly and family types of relationships. I would also implement financial training courses for young adults and teenagers, which would imply knowing how to establish a budget, spending money on things you really need, learning the difference between spending money and investing money. I would make serious efforts into offering a place to sleep for everyone (such as that town in Canada that managed to house all its homeless people) and eradicating poverty in the form of begging, stealing, illegal "jobs" or trades. I would improve prisons and asylums so as to have compassionate human treatment and a strong focus on rehabilitation. I would promote knowledge of EU's laws for all its citizens, and I would promote action towards charity, peacebuilding, and not least self discovery and improvement in all aspects of life.