Christos Floros

Tag: Christos Floros DP

  • 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.

  • Building a European Parliament Fit for the People

    Building a European Parliament Fit for the People

    The European Parliament: a beating heart of democracy, a forum for diverse voices, a guardian of our shared values. Or… an often-distant institution, bogged down in bureaucracy, struggling to connect with the citizens it serves. Let’s be honest, the Parliament sometimes feels more like a museum exhibit than a vibrant marketplace of ideas.

    But here’s the thing: a strong, representative Parliament is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. In a world of rising populism, external threats, and complex challenges, we need our European voice to be loud, clear, and rooted in the will of the people.

    So, how do we bridge the gap between Brussels, Strasbourg and the kitchen table and people’s screens? How do we build a Parliament that truly resonates with the hopes, anxieties, and aspirations of everyday Europeans?

    First, let’s ditch the echo chamber. Right now, the Parliament often feels like a club for career politicians, speaking a language understood only by insiders. We need fresh faces, diverse perspectives, and a focus on issues that matter to real people, not just party dogma. Imagine young entrepreneurs debating the future of the digital economy, young employees discussing employment issues, farmers raising concerns about climate change, architects and urban practictioners debating the future of our cities, students advocating for affordable education – now that’s a Parliament I’d tune in to!

    Second, let’s break down the walls. The Parliament shouldn’t be an ivory tower. We need more direct engagement with citizens, online and offline. Town hall meetings, digital forums, citizen consultations – let’s create spaces where people can actively participate, not just passively observe. Imagine using online platforms to crowdsource solutions to pressing issues, wouldn’t that be an innovative way to harness collective wisdom?

    Third, let’s empower the representatives. Right now, MEPs often feel like cogs in a vast machine, their voices diluted by party loyalties and complex procedures. We need to give them the tools and freedom to truly champion the causes they believe in, to hold the Commission accountable, and to debate with passion and conviction. Imagine a Parliament where fiery speeches ignite genuine debate, wouldn’t that be a spectacle worthy of our democracy?

    Building a more resilient, representative Parliament won’t be easy. It requires challenging the status quo, embracing innovation, and, most importantly, listening to the people. But the stakes are high. A strong Parliament is the bedrock of a strong Europe, a Europe that can navigate the storms of the 21st century and emerge stronger, more united, and more true to its democratic ideals.

    So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get involved, and demand (through our votes) a Parliament that truly reflects the pulse of Europe. The future of our shared project depends on it.

    What are your thoughts? How can we build a stronger, more representative European Parliament? I would love to hear your ideas,

    Christos Floros

  • Will We Choose Unity or Fragmentation?

    Will We Choose Unity or Fragmentation?

    The very foundation of our shared project, the European Union, faces unprecedented challenges.

    From the east, the shadow of war looms large. Our internal unity is strained by economic disparities and cultural differences. Populist movements whisper siren songs of nationalism, tempting us with the illusion of a simpler past.

    But let’s be clear: the past is not a country we can return to. It’s a quaint postcard, sure, but its sepia-toned streets hold no answers for the complexities of the 21st century. The challenges we face demand not isolation, but collective action, shared responsibility, and yes, unity.

    Think of the EU as a grand tapestry, woven from threads of diverse cultures, languages, and histories. Each strand is beautiful in its own right, but it’s their intricate intertwining that creates the masterpiece. Imagine what happens if we start pulling at those threads, unraveling the fabric of our union. The result wouldn’t be a return to individual glory, but a descent into a fragmented continent, vulnerable to external forces and internal strife.

    This is not just about economics or security, though both are crucial. It’s about the very soul of Europe, its commitment to democracy, human rights, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. These values, hard-won through centuries of struggle, are not luxuries to be discarded in times of hardship. They are the beating heart of our shared identity, the foundation upon which we must build our future.

    So, what is to be done? The answer is simple, yet demanding: we must recommit to the project of European unity. This doesn’t mean blind uniformity, but rather a celebration of our diversity within a framework of shared goals and values.

    We need to bridge the economic divides that fuel resentment and populism. We need to strengthen our common defenses in the face of external threats. But most importantly, we need to reignite the flame of hope and possibility that drew us together in the first place.

    This won’t be easy. It will require compromise, sacrifice, and a renewed faith in the power of cooperation. But the alternative – a fractured, inward-looking Europe – is unthinkable.

    The future of Europe is not predetermined. It is in our hands. Will we choose unity or fragmentation? The choice is ours, and the time to act is now.

    Let’s show the world what a united Europe can achieve. Let’s make our tapestry stronger, more vibrant, and more beautiful than ever before.

    Together,

    Christos Floros

  • “2024 is history in the making” interview with Chronicle.lu

    “2024 is history in the making” interview with Chronicle.lu

    Chronicle.lu: In a context of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, plus taking into account Eurosceptic/anti-Europe narratives (talks of EU exits – and this being the first European election since the 1970s without the UK) and the fact that this is a “record” year for elections worldwide, why do you feel it is important that more people (not least potential first-time voters) head to the polls in June 2024?

    Christos Floros: Voting is our civic duty. It’s how we shape the future of our society, at every scale, locally, nationally, internationally. In democratic societies, at least. Here in Luxembourg, citizens are required to vote.

    If we could legally make every resident vote, I believe we would. Because in Luxembourg we really do see it as a duty, if you live and work in this country, we want you to take responsibility for it, too.

    2024 is history in the making. The year they’ll point to in the future and say, “That’s when we stood up for democracy” or the opposite. The latter option, well, let’s just say Trump getting re-elected, makes it scarily possible. Remember, he was elected after the shockwave of Brexit, right?

    This year, Europe should send a different kind of shockwave to the US. A nod to our American allies, a message that says, “Hey, we’re still building that post-WWII world together.” A wake-up call. And guess how we do that? Electing pro-EU leaders across our Union in June.

    We gotta rekindle that commitment in Europe. Our peace, our freedom, our freedom of movement, our Erasmus, our shared prosperity, all these things, we’ve achieved together, we’ve got to remind every single European that this only works, when we work together and when politicians are also willing to take responsibility for what didn’t go as planned, what we didn’t get right. Otherwise, we are going to leave the field free for the far right… And those who scream “no more Europe” are basically condemning us all. We, as individual nations, can’t navigate this new world we are entering, alone. […] We live in a world of giants now, and going it solo for any of us is a recipe for disaster. We can and will continue to love and cherish our homelands, celebrate our traditions, and at the same time we must continue to aspire to build our bigger selves together. We need more Union today, than we needed in the 90’s or the 2000s.

    This is not just an election, it’s a chance to shape history. It’s our opportunity to show the world that Europe is still a beacon of hope, collaboration, and progress […] And that’s why I want everyone to sign up to vote before 15 April, to vote on 9 June.

    Read the full interview: https://chronicle.lu/category/politics/48625-change-for-luxembourg-founder-discusses-importance-of-european-elections

  • Luxembourg: Small Country, Big Vision for Europe.

    Luxembourg: Small Country, Big Vision for Europe.

    In Luxembourg we know our size doesn’t define our impact, especially when it comes to Europe.

    We were there at the start, Schuman’s dream woven into our country’s fabric. Now, on June 9th, it’s time to raise our voices again, not just because it’s our right, but because our vote truly steers the future of a united Europe.

    Anyone still remember the struggles our grandparents and parents faced, divided by borders?

    Today, thanks to the EU, we hop across those same borders for work, study, even love, with barely a blink. Schengen, a cornerstone of that freedom, was signed right here in our backyard.

    That’s our legacy, built brick by brick with our European partners, showing the power of working together.

    We, the generation raised on a united Europe, need to remind ourselves and others what we’ve gained: cleaner air, stronger economies, Erasmus adventures that opened our eyes to the world. These aren’t distant concepts, they’re the realities that shape our lives.

    However, the rising tide of nationalism threatens to wash away these achievements. We see it across Europe, and even here in Luxembourg too, unfortunately. But here’s the thing: Luxembourg, small but fierce, has always stood up to bullies. We did it before, and we can do it again, not with fists, but with our votes, all together, as one diverse, united, European country.

    On June 9th, let’s cast our ballots for a progressive, social-liberal Europe. Let’s honour the vision of our founding fathers and mothers, reject the divisive voices, and weave the future of Europe, stronger than ever before.

    Our vote, like our voice, is powerful. Let’s use it to remind everyone, from Vianden to Differdange, from Luxembourg City to Troisvierges, and from Lisbon to Vilnius, that a united Europe isn’t just possible, it’s essential.

    Letz get voting!

    C

  • A hero of democracy: Alexey Navalny

    A hero of democracy: Alexey Navalny

    With heavy hearts we must pay tribute to a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights – Alexey Navalny.

    Navalny’s journey was not just a personal struggle against corruption and oppression but a symbol of resistance that resonated globally.

    The world watched in shock and disbelief as Navalny faced a nerve agent poisoning in 2020, a sinister attempt to silence his voice. Despite the grave risks, he chose to return to Russia in 2021, fully aware that he would be met with hostility and danger.

    His subsequent imprisonment and harsh sentences only strengthened his resolve, as seen in his recent court appearance in January 2024, where he faced adversity with remarkable spirit.

    Navalny paid the ultimate price for his unwavering commitment to justice and democracy.

    His life and sacrifice should serve as a rallying cry for all of us who believe in the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

    May Alexey Navalny’s legacy inspire us all to continue the fight for a better, more just world.

    In solidarity,

    Christos