Christos Floros

Category: Luxembourg

  • How the EU Can Help Young People Find a Home

    How the EU Can Help Young People Find a Home

    Let’s talk about housing. Not about soaring penthouses and bidding wars. Let’s talk about the kind young people across Europe are struggling to find: a decent, affordable place to call home.

    Now, housing policy is primarily a national competency. But here’s the thing: a generation stuck in cramped flatshares or priced out of the market altogether isn’t good for national economies, social mobility, or frankly, the future of Europe.

    The EU, as the champion of social progress and economic dynamism, can – and should – play a leading role. We’re not talking about a Housing Commissioner (though that’s a conversation for another day). We’re talking about smart policy frameworks that incentivize member states and empower young Europeans.

    Here’s a couple of ideas; and why I insisted on Housing being in our programme.

    1. Across the continent, red tape and permitting nightmares are strangling new construction. The EU can work with national governments to streamline approvals, especially for projects that prioritize affordability and diverse housing typologies. Think student dorms, co-operative housing models, and mixed-use developments that integrate housing with offices and green spaces.

    2. Financing a first home is a boulder on young shoulders. The EU can encourage national programs that offer loan guarantees, down payment assistance schemes, and tax breaks for first-time buyers. But let’s not forget developers. Here, the EU can create incentives for building diverse housing options, not just luxury condos.

    3. From Vienna’s renowned social housing program to innovative co-operative models in Germany, Europe has a wealth of successful housing policies. The EU can act as a platform for knowledge exchange, facilitating member states to learn from each other and adapt successful approaches to their specific contexts.

    4. The EU should continue to convene panels of architects, urban planners, mobility experts, and social scientists. To advise on best practices for sustainable, inclusive housing development that integrates seamlessly with transportation networks and public services. Their insights can inform national policy decisions and ensure we’re building not just homes, but livable, thriving communities.

    This isn’t about a one-size-fits-all solution. Each member state has its own unique housing challenges. But the EU can be the orchestra conductor, setting the tone and harmonizing national policies towards a shared goal: ensuring young Europeans have a secure and affordable place to build their lives.

    This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about a generation feeling empowered, rooted in their communities, and ready to contribute their full potential to a brighter European future. Let’s get building.

  • Recognising Poverty at EU level

    Recognising Poverty at EU level

    It’s crucial to talk about the harsh reality of poverty. Across the European Union, millions of people struggle to make ends meet every day.

    According to recent data, around 118 million people in the EU are at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

    But numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Poverty isn’t just about lacking money; it’s also about lacking access to basic needs like healthcare, education, and decent housing. It’s about feeling excluded from society, unable to fully participate and thrive.

    From a Social-Liberal standpoint, addressing poverty is a matter of justice and equality. Everyone should have the chance to live a dignified life, regardless of their background or circumstances.

    So, what can be done to tackle poverty at the EU level?

    Firstly, we need stronger social safety nets to catch those who are falling through the cracks.

    Secondly, we must invest in education and training to empower people to break the cycle of poverty.

    Thirdly, we need to address the root causes of poverty, including inequality and discrimination. This requires policies that promote fair wages, affordable housing (both social and private), and equal opportunities for all. It also means ensuring we put in place a fair tax system, that keeps us globally competitive, but also makes sure everyone pays their fair share.

    Lastly, we must foster solidarity and cooperation among EU member states to tackle poverty collectively. By sharing best practices and resources, we must amplify our efforts and make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions.

    The EU already has some initiatives in place, but more needs to be done. It’s time for member states to stop seeing poverty as a national problem, and work together for a truly unified approach.

    I am glad we have decided to recognise poverty as an EU-wide issue in our programme, following my proposal, and I am convinced that our party and its European family will contribute to combatting poverty in the near future.

  • Thousands of People Will Vote for the First Time

    Thousands of People Will Vote for the First Time

    I am happy to live in a country of free, and independent media, able to scrutinise and criticise politicians and I am also happy to clarify on my sincere, consistent, and independent actions to encourage our fellow compatriots to grasp the opportunity of taking responsibility for our shared future.

    Since 2021, I’ve made tireless efforts, as a private citizen, to inform and encourage more of our compatriots to exercise their democratic right to vote, here in Luxembourg.

    Democracy requires participation. Participation means taking responsibility for the future.

    At the heart of these efforts: to increase voter registration and strengthen our democracy. To facilitate this process, I established a page on my personal site, which has existed for over a decade, which served as a gateway for individuals interested in receiving updates and information from myself regarding my register to vote efforts.

    The overall response to our efforts has been overwhelmingly positive. I have received thousands of encouraging messages from people who will vote for the first time, but also people who have enjoyed the effort to strengthen our democracy, Luxembourgers, naturalised citizens, EU Citizens and Non-EU citizens. People who vote for different parties, people in different parties, and people who never engaged in politics before. This demonstrates a genuine interest for increased political involvement and representation within our diverse society. I am proud to say that thousands of people will vote for the first time thanks to these efforts, and this win belongs to each person who joined our multiplier efforts, and the country will benefit for it!

    I welcome the additional attention this publication has brought to the critical issue of voter registration. It is my hope that this discourse will further encourage individuals to participate in the democratic process and contribute to shaping the future of our society, in the long-term.

    Together, let us continue to strive towards a more inclusive and representative democratic society, at every level of our democracy in Luxembourg and across the EU.

  • We must Defend our Democracy

    We must Defend our Democracy

    Today, Russians are voting in an event cynically dubbed an “election.” However, this is just a simple charade. The man who has clung to power for more than two decades, Vladimir Putin, has no real challengers. Democracy in Russia has been eroded from within, its institutions gutted and its voice silenced. This is not an isolated case; it is a frightening echo that resonates throughout the world, as the decline of freedoms is a rising tide.

    Europe faces its own existential threat.

    Europe faces its own existential threat. The populist wave, which has eroded democracies elsewhere, is sweeping through the heart of the European Union. The far right, with its divisive rhetoric and xenophobic agendas, poses a real threat to the fragile unity of the Union. The values that underpin the EU – human rights, the rule of law, cooperation – are under attack.

    We are under attack

    It’s not an accident. We are under attack. We are engaged in a silent cyberwar, a relentless campaign to disrupt our governments, disrupt public discourse, and sow discord. Trolls and bots infiltrate our social media, spreading misinformation and manipulating narratives. Hospitals, transportation networks and the very infrastructure of our digital lives are under constant attack. This cyberwar requires vigilance, robust cybersecurity measures and digitally aware citizens.

    We cannot afford to be complacent. The hard-won gains of the past seventy years – peace, prosperity and a rules-based international order – are under threat. These achievements were not built by chance; they were the result of tireless work, compromise and collaboration. They were the product of a shared vision of a better future, and we must defend them in our European Parliament elections in June.

    The European Elections of 2024

    We need to inspire confidence, articulate a compelling vision for the future, and bridge the divides that threaten to tear our societies apart. The cynicism and scapegoating tactics of the far right offer no way forward.

    We, Luxembourgers, Europeans, democrats, must actively participate in the democratic process – recognizing that the future of democracy is not a spectator sport – it requires each of us.

    The stakes in 2024 are high. The choices we make today will determine the world for generations to come.

    Will we succumb to the siren song of autocracy, with its promises of stability based on repression and fear? Or will we rise to the challenge, reaffirming our commitment to the principles that have guided humanity toward a fairer and more prosperous world?

    The answer lies with each of us.

    Christos Floros

    Candidate for Member of the European Parliament with the DP – Demokratesch Partei

  • Strengthening our Democracy

    Strengthening our Democracy

    Democracy stands as the bedrock of citizens’ empowerment and collective decision-making.

    As we works towards a more vibrant EU democracy, our compass must point firmly towards the significance of active citizenship and the power vested in our collective voice.

    Why Voting Matters

    At the heart of any thriving democracy lies the ballot box – a sacred space where citizens cast their votes to shape the future. The EU elections, often overshadowed by national contests, are a crucial arena where the voice of each individual resonates in the halls of power.

    The importance of voting in these elections cannot be overstated; it is the foundation upon which our shared destiny is built. As citizens of the EU, we must recognize that our participation is not just a right but a responsibility that defines the very essence of our democratic values.

    Sending a Pro-EU Signal

    In an era marked by divisive rhetoric and the rise of nationalism, the EU elections become a battleground for shaping the narrative. By casting a pro-EU vote, we send a powerful signal that transcends borders and challenges the forces of fragmentation.

    Our collective endorsement of a united Europe reinforces the idea that, together, we are stronger. It is a declaration that we believe in collaboration, solidarity, and a shared destiny, even in the face of adversity.

    Engagement Beyond the Ballot

    Democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation beyond the act of voting. To fortify the pillars of our democratic system, we must encourage more citizens to engage not only at the polls but also within the intricate web of political parties and civil society.

    It is through these engagements that we shape the narrative, influence policy, and ensure that our democracy remains vibrant and responsive to the needs of the people.

    Communication is Key

    One of the cornerstones of a thriving democracy is transparent and effective communication. To reinforce the European Parliament’s role, it is imperative that the work undertaken within its walls is communicated clearly and comprehensively to the citizens it serves.

    Bridging the gap between policymakers and the public fosters a sense of trust and understanding, laying the groundwork for a more engaged and informed electorate.

    Empowering the EU Parliament

    To bolster EU democracy, we must empower the European Parliament with the ability to take the lead in shaping policies. Granting the EU Parliament greater powers of initiative enhances its role as a true representative of the people.

    This shift not only reinforces the democratic principles upon which the EU was founded but also ensures that the institution is dynamic, responsive, and capable of driving positive change.

    Democracy… More Democratic

    As we aspire to build a more perfect union, EU democracy must be brought closer to its citizens. This involves creating mechanisms for more direct involvement, encouraging citizen-led initiatives, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

    By making democracy more accessible, representative, intersectional and responsive at the grassroots level, we ensure that the European project remains deeply rooted in the aspirations and realities of its diverse population.

    As we approach the next EU elections, lets seize the opportunity to breathe new life into our democracy and reaffirm our commitment to a united and democratic European Union.

  • We are running together for the European Parliament

    We are running together for the European Parliament

    I am running to represent you at the #EuropeanParliament with the DP – Demokratesch Partei

    I want to thank you for this opportunity – I’m in this position because you’re here, because you’ve responded to this message of coming together and of participation.

    This is not my candidacy, this is our candidacy.

    #Luxembourg shaped me into who I am today, growing up here, a #European with a world of opportunities around me.

    And I want more of you, and our children in the future to have this opportunity too.

    To grow up in our beautiful country, in the heart of Europe, and become in mind Europeans, with a worldview beyond national borders, able to carry out this mission of peace for Europe, for #Europe and the world.

    Luxembourg, with our history of contributing to the European project; must lead that charge.

    I hope you will support us and the entire team Charles Goerens, Amela Skenderovic, Jana Degrott, Nancy Braun, Gusty Graas, the way you have supported me.

    I hope you know, this is the single greatest honour of my life so far; to be able to present myself to represent you, and represent my country, my home – Luxembourg, at the arena where we build our common European future. Our European Parliament.

    I’m ready.

    I’m here for you.

    I am here to campaign for Europe.

    Tell more of your friends they can register to vote before April 15. link: https://christosfloros.com

    And more importantly, thank you.

    Thank you, for this great honour.

    I want to thank you all, and thank every single member of the Democratic Party for trusting me to be in this position.

    I want to especially thank Xavier Bettel, and Charles Goerens, Corinne Cahen, Patrick Goldschmidt, Jana Degrott, Amela Skenderovic, Géraldine WELKENBACH for their support and trust.

    And I want to hugely thank the Presidents of our National Districts, Max Stoffel, Eric Thill, daliah Scholl and Ben Ries, who all supported this candidacy; I am grateful both for your support; and for your openness, advice and guidance.

    There’s so many people I need to thank really, all of you; and our over 8,000 DP members, DP International President Luís Oliveira, our incredible collaborator in Strassen, Lise Merete Joergensen, our Coordinator extraordinaire, Jeff Brausch, Our very own Mediaman, David Wilson, our Campaign manager, Pitt Sietzen, the extraordinary person that is Loris Meyer, and the amazing Yolande Kirsch … So many to name; because this really is, our candidacy.

    Let’s Renew Europe on June 9.