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European Communities' News December 2025

Changing Europe can’t be done just by winning seats in an election. Changing Europe takes the power of people with a vision for a better future. That’s why we’ve launched Volt’s European Communities, an opportunity for you to contribute directly to addressing our most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. In this newsletter, you’ll learn about what Volt’s Communities have been doing over the last month. And maybe it’ll inspire you to join us!

Volt Europa calls for a just, inclusive, and lawful peace process in Gaza

Volt Europa welcomes every serious initiative aimed at ending the catastrophic violence in the Gaza Strip and views the so-called “Trump Plan” with caution. What is decisive for evaluating such a plan is not the rhetoric around it but its transparent, fair, and humane implementation by all parties involved, above all through the active inclusion of Palestinians. No external plan can endure if it excludes those whose lives and futures are directly affected.

Returning peace to Europe is our responsibility

We can set its conditions with a no-fly zone and a reassurance force in Ukraine We all want to return peace to Europe, to stop the killing. A just and lasting peace can only be achieved if we eventually restore a democratic and prosperous Ukraine to its original 1991 sovereign borders and make it a full member of the EU and NATO.

The best way to recognise the sacrifice of the fallen? Make sure it never happens again.

The EU emerged from the wreckage of the Second World War. It is a duty of remembrance to ensure that it weathers our current trials and emerges more united, progressive and equal than ever.

35 Years of the ADA: Time for Europe to Lead on Disability Rights

Thirty-five years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, marking a turning point in the fight for equality, dignity, and freedom for disabled people. The ADA was not only transformative for the United States; it reshaped global thinking about disability and influenced the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Battle

Across Ukraine, numerous anti-corruption protests are underway as citizens demand the repeal of a controversial law that they believe undermines the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). This move contradicts fundamental principles of the rule of law and democracy – cornerstones of the European Union. For the EU, it's critically important that candidate countries demonstrate commitment to these values.

MEP Nela Riehl named Best Newcomer in European Parliament!

Just one year into her mandate, MEP Nela Riehl (Volt) has been awarded Best Newcomer at the MEP Awards in Brussels.

Bigger and better: how to create the Union of the future by 2030

Europe’s future security, prosperity and unity now hinge on one twin challenge: enlarging the Union to embrace Ukraine and other candidates while reforming its governance, decision making, democracy, rule of law and budget so that a Union of 35 Members and 500 million citizens can function and thrive. The European Commission will publish its 'pre-enlargement policy reviews' in fall 2025, mapping the impact of enlargement.

Yes to meaningful decarbonisation - no to greenwashing!

Each passing year brings a new wave of extreme weather events to Europe, currently the world’s fastest warming continent. Fuelled by the human-made climate crisis, deadly heatwaves, torrential rains, floods, wildfires, and droughts are costing lives and livelihoods with increasing intensity and frequency.

July 11 – International Day of Remembrance for the Srebrenica Genocide

Today, we remember one of the darkest chapters of European history after World War II. In July 1995, over 8,372 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered by Bosnian Serb forces in and around the UN safe area of Srebrenica. They were fathers, sons, students, and neighbours. Ethnic nationalism had turned faith into a death sentence, and the international community watched, stood by, and failed.

A reflection on my #1 priority in the European Parliament

One year ago, I officially became a Member of the European Parliament. I want to use this moment to inform you about the work I have done on my highest priority. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Defence Committee, and the Constitutional Affairs Committee, my number one priority has been to make sure Ukraine wins its war of independence against Russian aggression. It is the right thing to do, and it is also in our own interest.

Volt's vision for food in Europe

Food is one of the most important topics to Europe’s political project. It’s the foundation of our health, and one of the most powerful tools to shape our society and the landscape we live in. A full table is the cornerstone of family feasts, parties, and events; it brings together people and sparks conversations across generations and cultures.

Volt at Budapest Pride 2025

Last weekend, members of QueerVolt, Volt Hungary and several of Volt’s elected officials assembled proudly on Budapest’s Elisabeth Bridge, not only to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, but to stand in opposition to the rolling back of queer rights both in Hungary and beyond.

3-point plan for a European NATO

Almost all NATO countries still cling to the United States: it must protect us, and we just need to raise our defence spending to meet the NATO benchmark. Calls for an independent Europe are dismissed as naive. But the only naive idea is the illusion that we can still rely on America.

It’s not how much money we spend, it is how we spend it

In response to NATO chief Mark Rutte’s press conference on the outcome of the NATO summit, Reinier van Lanschot, member of the defence committee in the European Parliament responds: “Today’s NATO agreement on a 5% of GDP is hopeful for the future of European defence and safety. However, money alone will not solve our problems. It is not how much money we spend, it is how we spend it. This question remained unanswered this morning.“

De-escalation is the only path – the EU must act accordingly

Israel’s attack on Iran is a violation of international law, and Iran is in breach of its obligations towards the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The EU must respond to uphold diplomacy and help to mediate.

Our plan to protect the oceans

As UNOC draws to a close, Volt is sounding the alarm over the health of our marine ecosystems.

Volt Europa urges EU action on Serbian government’s repression of civil liberties and obstruction of justice

Volt Europa strongly condemns the Serbian government’s repression of peaceful activists and its lack of accountability following the Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse. We call on the European Commission to defend civil liberties and the Rule of Law in Serbia.

The situation in Gaza is intolerable – it must end

The situation in the Gaza Strip marks a new low in a conflict that seems almost interminable. Following Israeli government's breach of the January ceasefire, a new wave of escalation and violence has hit the Gaza Strip. The systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure, the targeted use of starvation as a weapon and the mass displacement of the population have to be seen as the result of deliberate Israeli government policy.

European Independent Living Day: The urgent need for a true EU commitment to disability rights

On European Independent Living Day, Volt Europa emphasises the critical importance of defending and advancing disability rights across Europe.

Volt Europa Stands with Turkish Cypriot Resistance

Volt Europa stands with the Turkish Cypriot community resisting authoritarian interference, demographic manipulation, and attacks on secular democracy by the Turkish government.