Гергана Радойкова

Over the last decade, two trends have gradually come to the center of atten- tion of European integration studies. The first is related to the “politicization of the EU” – a complex concept that aims to link a number of political and public issues, underlying the growing contradictions of the multi-level decision-mak- ing process. The second line of analysis concerns the “parliamentarization of the EU”, referring to the changing institutional role of the European Parliament and its interaction with the legislatures of the Member States.The main thesis put forth by the author is that the analysis of parliamen- tarization is key but yet insufficient component of a broader process of polit- icization. This goes beyond the standard theoretical concepts and provokes a new reading of the implications associated with these phenomena. Thus, it contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of EU decision-making in the context of various crises and growing euroscepticism/.

At the European Parliament elections in May 2019, the European citizens voted on how the European Union should move ahead over in the next five years. In times of crisis, fake news, populism, sharp political opposition, and the constant search for a single European approach to the problems and challenges of the day, voters have shown that they want the people to whom they have delegated power, to act with wisdom, capacity for dialogue and compromise and, above all, show clear results. This article is an attempt for a recap of the results of the European Parliament elections. Special focus is put on Bulgaria, as well as on the debate on the election of the President of the European Commission.

Effective democracy depends to a large extent on effective communication. In this regard, comes one of the main, continuous deficits that the European Union is facing. The key to a proper understanding of the essence and way of functioning of the Union is above all to raise citizens' awareness. This is a long educational process that runs through several channels, including political parties, EU institutions, non-governmental organizations, universities, schools. With the White Paper, the European Commission launched a new debate on the future of the EU of 27 Member States. As a key priority, the Commission pointed out the need for active dialogue with citizens. Members of the Commission travelled all over Europe to listen to citizens' views on the various scenarios proposed, thus giving everyone the opportunity to contribute to defining the way forward for the Union.The author of this text has, as its main task, to examine the main shortcomings in the communication of European issues in the context of the current geopolitical challenges. Special emphasis is placed on the need to improve civic education and serious investment in the political literacy of young people. An attempt is also made to assess the results of the Citizens' Dialogue Initiative – in the light of the debates on Brexit and the key European Parliament elections.