News

Gaza: the backstory

How did the ceasefire collapse? After months of negotiations during the brutal Gaza war, a ceasefire came into effect between Israel and Hamas on the 19th of January 2025. The first phase of this ceasefire, a mutual exchange of prisoners, was meant to lead to a second phase, entailing the release of the remaining hostages and a permanent ceasefire. This meant life saving supplies finally reaching Gaza’s two million inhabitants.

The AI Act and the challenge of navigating a rapidly evolving technology

As the EU and the new US government appear set to argue over tech regulation, Volt takes a look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of a key piece of European digital legislation: the Artificial Intelligence Act.

US trade wars mean the EU must invest in its own future

Tariffs are bad for everyone, but where the US fails, Europe has a chance to take the path of sustainability and multilateralism

Sentencing of Marine Le Pen: we call for respect for the rule of law

Nobody is above the law. Volt will continue to defend democratic values, transparency and good governance throughout Europe

Reclaiming the Turkish Republic: How the youth are saving the country's democracy

Opinion piece by Cemre Ercan, a Volt Member Witnessing the democratic backslide in Turkey for years was truly heartbreaking to me. A nation rich in history and culture, having endured countless challenges throughout its modern history, now finds itself at another critical moment. The arrest and imprisonment of Istanbul’s Mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, marks a disturbing and dangerous escalation in Turkey's political landscape.

Unite to prevent war | A capabilities-based European NATO as the best path to a European Defense Union

Our call to urgency and vision to effectively put Europe in the position to deter and defend against ‘’the most extreme military contingencies’’ at the latest by 2030

Let’s not wait for war to unite us, let’s unite to prevent war

We have been working since day one of entering office to make sure the EU’s new defence initiatives are more ambitious than the dangers that threaten our continent. Since Christmas, we have been meeting hundreds of experts, officials and journalists and negotiated on two files: the White Paper on EU defence, and the European Defence Industrial Programme. We worked together closely with the Volt defense community and led the effort of creating a common position with the Greens.

The world needs a leading European Development Agency

At a time when the USA has abruptly cut the USAID programme and development aid budgets are being trimmed in Europe, Volt calls on European countries not to abandon public development aid and to mutualise it within the EU.

The European Commission’s Omnibus Proposal is a step back

The proposal weakens EU sustainability leadership and competitiveness through exemptions, delays, and potential cuts. Volt agrees with reducing bureaucracy, but not at any cost.

EU Response to a Changing World Order:
A 9-Point Action Plan

INSTITUTIONAL RESILIENCE  01 United Decisions. Trigger Art. 7 to stop Viktor Orbán’s veto and empower the Hungarian opposition. If blocked, establish a European Union 2.0. 02 EU Foreign Minister. Empower Kaja Kallas to negotiate foreign policy and impose sanctions on behalf of countries via an intergovernmental accord.  03 Treaty Change Now. Conduct a targeted revision of the treaties to add defense. Open a holistic Treaty Convention to prepare for enlargement. 

We need the United States of Europe!

Brussels, 19th February. The image Europe has shown the world on Monday is anything but decisive. We are back again at a table of indecision and internal quarrels. EU heads of state and government who should defend and take care of our citizens are leaving them out in the cold, literally. The outcome of the Paris emergency meeting is nothing but words. This cannot go on, especially in this increasingly fragmented and growingly valueless world order where autocrats set the tone.

Europe’s coming of age trial

Volt’s call to action to European leaders at the Emergency European Council European leaders had 4 months to prepare a plan to defend Ukraine and our democracy. Despite years of evidence that Trump only respects strength and punishes weakness, and repeated calls for urgent action, they thought the best strategy was to wait for an American plan.

It’s time for Europe to champion fair taxation

Volt calls on the EU to defend  the OECD project to ensure a 15% worldwide tax on multinational companies, against the whims of the United States.

Trump’s Inauguration: Join us in finding answers

Today, more than ever, we need to stand for science, multilateralism, equality, and the rule of law.

The ceasefire is an important first step in achieving lasting peace in the Middle East

An end to this devastating war may be imminent, but now the political work for a sustainable and peaceful co-existence must begin. The EU has tough questions to ask itself about the role it wants to play in the international realm.

This is how Reinier van Lanschot moves from grand ambitions to concrete intermediate steps

Reinier van Lanschot (born 1989) is an MEP for Volt Europa. In parliament, he is a member of the defence, foreign affairs, internal market and constitutional reform committees. He is committed to innovation, climate neutrality and better European cooperation. In his (Dutch) book ‘ We are Europe ’ Reinier exposes the weaknesses of European cooperation and shows what needs to change to secure our future.

The Syrian Juncture - a Vision for Sovereignty, Unification, and Justice for all Syrians

Opinion article by Karam Chehade and Osama Kezzo. Karam and Osama are two Syrian members of Volt Europa who grew up in Aleppo. As they moved to Europe and watched events unfold in their homeland, their political senses, which were heightened by the Syrian revolution, pushed them to become active in Volt Europa to promote cross-national unity and cooperation.

News from the European Parliament Delegation - 6 December 2024

Dear Volters and friends, Things in the European Parliament are really getting up to speed these days! It’s been intense weeks for the five of us and you might be wondering what we have been up to. Here’s a little recap of what we’ve all been working on.

This Initiative Makes International Train Travel More Comfortable And Affordable

Interview with Member of the Dutch Parliament Marieke Koekkoek (Volt).

Volt's position on the war in Ukraine: Europe must take responsibility to do whatever it takes to help Ukraine win

Breaking barriers: European Startup Revolution

Volt Europa supports the EU Inc petition—a groundbreaking effort to create a single pan-European startup entity. This initiative aims to simplify and unify the rules for establishing and operating businesses across all EU member states. By harmonising company registration, investment procedures, and legal requirements, EU Inc will empower startups to launch, grow, and thrive seamlessly throughout Europe.