Storify (EN) – Karen Melchior

Togrevolutionen planlægges nu og ankommer om 10 år

Written on 23. July 2024.

Der er nemmere billetkøb til internationale togrejser på vej! Revolutionerne kommer langsomt… men de planlægges nu. Så vi har travlt. Der skal mere til end nyt billetsystem for at sikre gode togrejser. Det som gør en togrejse behagelig og nemt er ikke det samme som for en flyrejse. Der er nemmere billetkøb til internationale togrejser på vej! Kommissionen kommer til at foreslå en forordning, som kommer til at sikre dig, at du kan købe en billet hos en udbyder til hele din internationale togrejse – uden at du skal give køb på dine passagerrettigheder på hele rejsen. Det annoncerede Kommissionenspræsident...

Parlamentariske Aktiviteter 2019-2024: En Kvantitativ Gennemgang

Written on 22. July 2024.

I juli 2024 udgav dataanalysefirmaet Buhl & Rasmussen en rapport, der belyser de mest betydningsfulde parlamentariske aktiviteter udført af danske Europa-Parlamentsmedlemmer i perioden 2019-2024. Rapporten tilbyder et indgående perspektiv på vores arbejde i Europa-Parlamentet gennem de seneste fem år. Resumé Denne rapport foretager en dybdegående analyse af mine aktiviteter i Europa-Parlamentet, sammenlignet med både danske kolleger og de bredere partigrupper i Parlamentet. Rapporten bygger på kvantitative data om mine taler, stemmer, lovforslag, ændringsforslag og mundtlige forespørgsler,...

The impact of the DMA on businesses: Apple & Match meetings

Written on 28. February 2024.

Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act is just weeks away, with changes that will put the brakes on anticompetitive practices by big tech “gatekeepers”, and guarantee fair competition for developers and free choice for users. Unfortunately, some gatekeepers are dragging their feet. In the last two weeks, I spoke to Apple about their deeply flawed DMA compliance plans, and to Match, the makers of Tinder, about how the law will impact them. Big tech companies own many of the apps we use every day, as well as the devices and software they run on. From Apple’s iPhone, Google’s Android,...

The Benefits of the Digital Markets Act

Written on 25. February 2024.

For years now, Big Tech companies have abused their power and market dominance to limit competition and force us into using their services, but it doesn’t have to be this way. On the 6th of March, a new EU law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) will come into force, letting developers compete fairly, and giving citizens more choice, so what does it change for you? Why does Spotify cost more on iPhones? Why does Amazon hide cheaper options in favour of its own products? Why is it so hard to change my default browser on Windows? Why is YouTube slower on Firefox? Why do I need five...

EU Commission sells out for migration deal with Tunisia’s president Kaïs Saied

Written on 18. August 2023.

On 16 June, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, agreed with the President of Tunisia, Kaïs Saied, to implement the comprehensive partnership package announced jointly on 11 June 2023. This came in the context of grave violations of the rights of migrants and asylum seekers, as well as an escalation of restrictions on civil and political rights. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) fails to address core human rights concerns observed in Tunisia, which include grave violations of...

AI Act: The European Parliament votes for safer AI and an end to Mass Surveillance

Written on 16. June 2023.

This week, the European Parliament adopted its position on the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI act). As Renew’s lead negotiator on the AI act in the JURI committee, I fought hard to protect citizens’ fundamental rights, and give businesses space and certainty to innovate. I’m very glad to announce that many of the things I fought for have made it into Parliament’s final position. Let’s take a look at what we achieved! The JURI Opinion The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI), where I was lead negotiator, finished its position on the Artificial Intelligence Act in September of last year. Since then...

ChatControl is illegal, so what can we do to protect kids?

Written on 19. April 2023.

We don’t have to spy on our children to keep them safe! Stop believing in the magic wands of digital filters and flagging content that can make our societies’ problems disappear. Let us use technology to empower our children to identify risks and enable them to reach out to trusted adults instead of a paternalistic approach using flawed technology that won’t protect kids but will make it harder to catch abusers! Let us build an internet that lets kids explore independently while learning about risks in an environment built to offer them safety, agency, and privacy. Introduction Last week,...

The European Digital Identity: Parliament’s final position

Written on 23. February 2023.

The European Digital Identity is a proposal that will allow EU citizens, residents and businesses to identify themselves, access digital services and digitally sign documents through a Digital ID and store and share “attributes” such as personal information, diplomas and licenses safely and easily using a Digital Wallet. It will provide inter-operability across the union; with signatures and attributes recognised in all member states, making it easier to work, study and travel around the Union. In 2022, I led negotiations on this law in the JURI Committee, with negotiations concluding in October...

The Data Act: preserving privacy and putting citizens in control

Written on 27. January 2023.

In recent years, we have seen an explosion in the development of “smart” and “connected” devices: from home appliances to industrial machines, and medical equipment to cars. The EU wants to make better use of this data to benefit the economy. I have been negotiating on behalf of Renew in the JURI committee, to make sure the Data Economy is fair, doesn’t harm businesses, puts citizens in control of their data, and prevents abuse of data, be it by governments or companies. On Tuesday 24 January, the JURI committee voted on our opinion on the data act after months of tough negotiations. In...

C’est arrivé et donc cela peut arriver à nouveau…

Written on 26. January 2023.

Le 27 janvier est la journée internationale dédiée à la mémoire des victimes de l’Holocauste. En ces temps sombres animé par la guerre de la Russie contre l’Ukraine, il est important de rappeler que les horreurs du passé durant la seconde guerre mondiale peuvent se répéter même 80 ans plus tard… Le 25 janvier, j’ai eu l’honneur d’accueillir au Parlement, Monsieur Katznelson. Nous avons visité ensemble l’exposition Faces of Europe, exposition photographique dédiée aux femmes qui ont perdu la vie dans les camps de concentration de Ravensbrück durant la seconde guerre mondiale....

The European Digital Identity: our fight for a private digital wallet and a secure web

Written on 27. October 2022.

The European Digital Identity is a proposal that will allow EU citizens, residents and businesses to identify themselves, access digital services and digitally sign documents through a Digital ID and store and share “attributes” such as personal information, diplomas and licenses safely and easily using a Digital Wallet. It will provide inter-operability across the union; with signatures and attributes recognised in all member states, making it easier to work, study and travel around the Union. The Commission’s proposal could make tasks like getting a loan, applying to study at a university...

Vacancy: Communication Advisor for MEP Karen Melchior

Written on 13. October 2022.

Karen Melchior’s office is recruiting an experienced press and communications officer (Danish and English required, other EU languages a bonus) to join her team in Brussels on a full-time basis. The Communication Advisor produces and advises on communication and media outputs as well as participating in the more strategic long term work. The communication advisor will be advising team members as well as MEP Karen Melchior. Main tasks will focus on content creation for social media and website, managing and planning social media, branding of MEP Karen Melchior, designing merchandising, drafting...

Vacancy: Executive Assistant for MEP Karen Melchior

Written on 13. October 2022.

Karen Melchior’s office is recruiting an experienced Executive Assistant / Office Administrator (English, French, and preferably Danish) to join her team in Brussels on a full-time basis. We are looking for a highly competent administrator to provide first class support to the MEP. You will be the cornerstone of the office and enable the success of the entire team through your handling and prioritisation of incoming information. So the ideal candidate is calm in a storm and enjoys empowering their colleagues. Your main tasks and responsibilities as Executive Assistant will be Proactive diary...

LGBTIQ+: EuroPride in Belgrade

Written on 21. September 2022.

© 2022 Karen Melchior In our continent, you must be able to live how you wish to live, love who you want to love and be who you want to be without fear of discrimination, hate or violence. In the light of Saturday’s EuroPride Parade in Belgrade, it is with great disappointment that we have witnessed Serbian authorities turning their back on LGBTIQ+ rights by trying to cancel – and de facto ban – EuroPride. As Renew Europe members, we stressed that in a democratic country, LGBTIQ+ people and activists must be able to count on the support of the government and the protection...

Ursula von der Leyen’s speech on the State of the European Union (SOTEU)

Written on 21. September 2022.

© 2022 EU-EP/PB Roberta Metsola, President of the EP, welcomed Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine and gave some keynotes, where she stressed that the EU stands with Kyiv against the Russian invasion. Also the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had clear words on the aggression: “Putin will fail and Europe will prevail.” She added that the sanctions against Russia “are here to stay.” Ms von der Leyen announced €100 million to restore damaged Ukrainian schools as well as bringing Ukraine into the EU’s free roaming area and the Single Market. On soaring energy prices,...

145 MEPs sign letter to Serbian leadership calling to maintain the organisation of EuroPride 2022 and deploying sufficient police protection

Written on 5. September 2022.

Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia Ana Brnabić, Prime-Minister of Serbia Cc: Jadranka Joksimovic, Serbian Minister for European Integration Emanuele Giaufret, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Stefanno Sannino, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Stella Ronner-Grubacic, EU Ambassador for Gender and Diversity Brussels, 31 August 2022 Subject: Maintaining the organisation of EuroPride 2022 in Belgrade and deploying sufficient police protection to ensure its safety Dear President, Dear Prime-Minister, Dear Minister, Pride demonstrations are peaceful tools for political...

Online debate: Tracking-free ads: DSA, DMA and next steps

Written on 13. January 2021.

I am happy to announce the online debate EDRi co-organises as part of the launch of the Tracking-free Ads Coalition in the European Parliament. The debate will take place on the 28th of January at 16:30 CET. The Tracking-free Ads Coalition is a group of MEPs working towards stronger regulation of online ads that track people across the internet. The distinguished panel of experts and practitioners will explore how tracking-free digital advertising protects users and can finance sustainable online businesses and journalism. IF INTERESTED PLEASE REGISTER HERE

AI – The promise and challenges for startups

Written on 17. February 2020.

This event is done in collaboration with DIF – Danish Entrepeneurs Asociation. Startups throughout Europe have joined forces. More than 40 organizations and startups have signed fiverecommendations for Commissioner Vestager. Europe cannot afford to unintentionally harm startups by imposing/with rigid regulatory measures in AI. We ask key policymakers and stakeholders to join the conversation on upcoming regulatory initiatives, and listen to startups’ concerns. The aim of the roundtable is to present leading AI startup stories and share our recommendations with key EU decision and policy...

I have pledged to work for a human rights manifesto for the European Parliament

Written on 29. August 2017.

If I am elected in the 2014 European Elections, I pledge to: 1. Promote the EU’s founding principles and the objectives of its human rights and democracy policy through my daily work in all Parliamentary committees and delegations, dealing with both internal and external affairs 2. Publicly and privately raise human rights abuses and cases of individuals at risk in plenary and committee/delegation meetings, with EU officials, EU Member States, EU national parliamentarians and with the countries concerned and through initiating resolutions, statements and letters 3. Regularly meet with NGOs and...

Milan Kundera on Totalitarianism

Written on 22. August 2015.

Moskva – Gulag Museumby James Whatley I have rediscovered Milan Kundera. I feel his words still belong to this period of time. Where we are about to be lured by the tune of totalitarianism. Songs promising us paradise, while leading us to the gulags. I discovered the interview with Kundera from 1980 by Philip Roth of which I have taken the extracts below. The titles and links are mine the rest belongs to Kundera and Roth. Totalitarianism is not only hell, but also the dream of paradise. If not it would not attract so many people. Totalitarianism is not only hell, but also the dream...