Following the 2024 European elections, a new direction is being set in the European Parliament. For mayors, it is still business as usual. At the top of mayors’ priorities for the next mandate of the European Union are issues like climate action, access to affordable and social housing, and creating a long-term strategy and vision for the EU and cities to work better together.
Meeting in Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament, more than 90 mayors and deputy mayors from all over Europe, put this case to MEPs, offering to work with them on joint goals.
Mayors: defenders of democracy?
A public debate highlighting mayors as champions of European democracy allowed them to share their experiences in safeguarding democracy at the local level, amidst complex challenges such as political distrust, populism, threats to the rule of law, and disinformation.
“I am deeply concerned by the rise of extremism and populism across Europe,” said Burkhard Jung, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Leipzig. “These forces sow division, foster hostility, undermine women’s and minorities’ rights, and threaten to unravel the social fabric of our communities. In these turbulent times, we must stand firm in our shared values, as cities and as Europeans.”
Citing current examples from his country, Hungary, the Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, mentioned that tensions are high between democratic institutions at the national and local level; with often new taxes introduced, further revenues taken, and increasingly more streets and squares taken over from the city by the national government.
With regards to democracy and the rule of law he asked whether Hungary would be admitted to the EU today – the answer, he suggested, is a clear no; though in the City of Budapest, they are working hard to ensure democracy prevails.
For example, Budapest’s practice of participatory democracy shows that people are more in favour of green urban policy the more you ask them about their immediate neighbourhood. For example, the Chain Bridge was closed to cars during its renovation. Once the renovations were finished the city had an online referendum on not letting cars back on the bridge, which was supported by 80% of respondents.
In these turbulent times, we must stand firm in our shared values, as cities and as Europeans.
For her part, Sara Funaro, Mayor of Florence, said that “local communities are the beating heart of democracy,” and that it is the work of mayors, to “build resilient communities where every voice counts and every idea can become concrete action.” In doing so, she highlighted that the principle of subsidiarity, a fundamental principle of the European Union; says that decisions should be taken as close to citizens as possible.
“As the capital of European democracy and home to several European and international institutions, Strasbourg is the heartbeat of Europe,” explained Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg, and host of the conference.
“At the start of the European Union’s mandate, it is essential that European and local leaders share their visions and exchange ideas on all the issues that make Europe a daily reality for the inhabitants of our towns and cities,” she added.
Mayors 10 priorities for European citizens and cities
To underscore this commitment, Eurocities President, Burkhard Jung; and Mayor Barseghian signed a call, on behalf of all other Eurocities mayors, for 10 priority actions to be achieved in this EU mandate.
At the core of this call to action is a shared goal: bringing the European Union closer to its citizens through a new ‘pact for cities’ that drives coordinated urban action, accelerates climate efforts, improves affordable housing, and strengthens local economies.
local communities are the beating heart of democracy
“With over 75% of Europe’s population living in cities, it is essential that we have a central role in the development of EU policies that will define the lives of millions of people,” said Burkhard Jung, President of Eurocities and Mayor of Leipzig. “The many significant issues now confronting our society, including the rise of populism, the housing crisis, and the impacts of climate change, require EU-level solutions that are implemented at the local level,” he added.
European challenges, local solutions
How can we create a future of social Europe? How can we set EU milestones to make our cities more inclusive and welcoming? What can be done to accelerate the transition to clean urban mobility and sustainable food systems? And how can the EU better support cities in creating vibrant, competitive ecosystems that also tackle the digital divide?
Cities must play a central role in shaping EU policy. The challenges we face – the rise of populism, climate change, refugee integration, health threats – require EU-level solutions, but they must be implemented locally. This is one of the many ways in which mayors and MEPs can engage in shared endeavours.
Joining, along with many MEPs, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, mentioned the good cooperation that has taken place between cities and the European Parliament in the last cycle, via the Generators of Hope campaign, and her belief that “all politics is truly local.”
Breaking into 10 separate working groups, mayors and MEPs spent an hour together on Tuesday morning in focused discussions. From inclusive and welcoming cities to fostering healthy and climate-friendly urban areas, to building innovative and vibrant cities – many European challenges have a local dimension that cannot be ignored.
“This policy cycle is not starting under easy conditions,” stated Jung. “Once again, we are facing multiple crises that are affecting our continent: the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has profoundly impacted our economy and the well-being of our citizens; the inflow of refugees, not only from Ukraine but from other parts of the world as well; and the alarming rise of populism and hate speech across our societies.
“Yet, despite these tough challenges, cities have – as they always do – demonstrated remarkable courage in addressing these crises head-on. Cities are natural partners to the EU institutions. We are closer to the citizens; we are often the first to receive their concerns and complaints, and we understand how EU decisions impact lives at the local level. But we are more than just a sounding board – we are active implementers of EU policy.”
Cities are ready to build bridges between Members of the European Parliament and their constituencies.
“Cities are ready to build bridges between Members of the European Parliament and their constituencies. After all, we are the closest level of governance to the people, and we are eager to ensure that their voices are heard in the legislative process,” he elaborated.
As the leading network on urban affairs, Eurocities is constantly finding new ways to build a more strategic partnership at European level. One recent innovation, the Eurocities Shadow Commission borrows from a concept used by the official opposition in the UK, by mirroring the structure of the European Commission College, while focusing on portfolios that reflect city leaders’ priorities across Europe – tackling climate change, protecting democratic values, and ensuring affordable housing, to name a few.
In the coming months, these Shadow Commissioners will engage with their counterparts in the European Commission to ensure that urban priorities are recognised at the highest level. This dialogue will enable cities to partner with the Commission in building a just, green, competitive, and prosperous future for all Europeans.
“We also aim to coordinate as closely as possible with you, the members of the European Parliament, to ensure our collective voices are heard,” concluded Jung.
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