Christos Floros

Tag: European Union

  • Our Dream of Europe

    Our Dream of Europe

    Do you like my shirt in this video? I think I have about 50 shirts, if not more.

    That’s a lot of shirts. Winter shirts, summer shirts, office shirts.

    If it helps, I’ve owned many of them for more than 10 years and I still wear them.

    But this isn’t a newsletter about fast fashion. It’s about Europe.

    My grandmother owned two skirts. In her entire life, she owned two skirts. She keeps reminding me of this.

    She bought a dress once, just once. Then, she cut it in half to make two skirts. When my father was young, she worked in the small shop my grandparents ran, keeping my father in a little bucket beside her as she worked.

    My mother grew up in a house without running water. No hot water. They carried water into the house and warmed it on the stove.

    That wasn’t 100 years ago. That was 50 years ago. In Europe. In the West. In our European Union.

    Too many of us have forgotten—or never lived—what true hardship feels like. Not just individual poverty, but poverty on a collective, systemic scale.

    We have taken our collective progress for granted. And now, many of us are complicit in dismantling it.

    Populist politicians, who don’t understand the complexity and value of our collective progress, are hastening our decline. And we, in our ignorance, too often support them.

    At the same time, establishment politicians cling to power, even here in Luxembourg. They’re not creating the space for a new generation to lead, to build on what we’ve achieved, and to take us forward.

    A Fragile Foundation

    Let’s not forget what made our progress possible. The European Union was built from the ashes of two world wars. It’s a dream rooted in peace, collective security, and economic cooperation.

    These, our, achievements require constant maintenance.

    Today, political apathy and polarisation threaten the foundation of these achievements.

    Our Engagement Today?

    In Luxembourg, only one in ten eligible (non-citizen) voters participates in local elections.

    This apathy isn’t unique to Luxembourg.

    Meanwhile, those who do engage are often driven by frustration or fear, creating an echo chamber of extremes.

    We see this in the rise of populist movements that capitalize on dissatisfaction but fail to deliver real solutions.

    If we’re to reverse this trend, we need action at both the individual and systemic levels:

    1. Individuals: Join civic organisations, volunteer, or simply vote. Show up where it’s hard to make a difference.
    2. Systems: Politicians must ensure their actions are accountable—not just to today’s voters but to future generations. Policies must align with long-term goals, from combating climate change to ensuring equitable economic growth.

    The Dream of Europe

    I am inspired by the resilience of Ukrainians fighting for their democracy and their commitment to a European future.

    I am moved by the Georgian people, marching for the hope of Europe.

    Their courage reminds us what’s at stake—and what we have to lose if we take Europe for granted.

    It’s not rocket science.

    It’s far more complicated.

    But that’s why we need to start.

    Our dream of Europe rests on each and every one of you.

    Only together, and with massive effort, we can sustain it and build a brighter, fairer future for all.

  • Every Nation for Itself

    Every Nation for Itself

    This is not just a ‘thank you’ post.

    But first, yes:

    28,874 personal thank you‘s for supporting me.

    And 253,344 thank you‘s for supporting our incredible DP – Demokratesch Partei team.

    To have earned your trust, your support, your faith, in my, and our team’s ability to deliver for you, that requires a huge, and sincere, thank you.

    My projections for Luxembourg and Europe were unfortunately accurate, and yet on an emotional level, we always hope to do better.

    One always hopes to do better than their own data indicates. Even if, again, I have to thank you, for giving me almost double the personal support I expected in my first election, especially one that I fought without any press, or media coverage — entirely with you, entirely grassroots. But this is not about any one person, or even any one country. Because these were European elections, about the future of our Union.

    So, let’s make it clear:

    The extremes did not win these elections, but many of us around Europe lost them. By failing (over the years, not just in this campaign) to convince our fellow citizens, that we can do better. And we must listen very clearly to this democratic protest.

    The biggest loser of these Elections is the European Union.

    ‘Divide et impera’: we are being divided, and the fact that many of us seem to ignore a carefully curated plan being actioned, is incredibly worrying.

    Those who seek to divide us have infiltrated our society, our media, our industries, our public discourse, and our politics.

    And the trend is clear, our Union is polarised, both in terms of political direction and in terms of supranational unity.

    Those of us who are responsible, moderate, politicians must be willing to take responsibility for this loss of confidence in our Union.

    Those of us who have opened a history book more than twice in our lives, must be willing to continue working, just as passionately, just as determined, to ensure history does not repeat itself.

    We must be willing to continue doing everything we can, to ensure Europe delivers for its citizens.

    Because we have got to take responsibility for the results all over Europe.

    Even if my generation is only just entering politics, we must be willing to take responsibility for the previous generations too. Because that’s what leaders do.

    European citizens are tired of overregulation. European citizens are fed-up with a European Union unable to work successfully together on border control. European citizens are frustrated, that we keep asking more of them, than we are able to offer them. European citizens are tired of handouts, when the majority of them work incredibly hard for their dues. European citizens want to be empowered to succeed.

    In the process of this protest, in the process of this polarisation, we are having our Trump moment. Mirroring what is happening in the United States, as I told Christelle BRUCKER yesterday. The big difference however is this: Trump loves Trump. And in Europe we don’t actually elect a single Trump. We elect multiple different Trumps, who each only love themselves, and their nations. A Europe of nations, working in their own self-interest, in a G-Zero world (yes, I’ve stolen the title from Ian Bremmer‘s 2012 book) will not deliver for any European citizen, regardless of how industrious, capable or ambitious the individual nation may be.

    Our countries, may have bright histories, but only together, do we pull enough weight in the world today (and even together, we’ve been reducing our weight enormously over the years – see image below). The United States are innovating, and we are simply falling behind, as China rises at an incredible pace.

    Only a strong, empowered, and purpose-led European Union can deliver for European citizens. Whether Spanish, French, Greek or Luxembourgish. Whether Romanian, Portuguese, German or Finnish.

    Share of World GDP / observations in text above

    So bottom line, here’s what I am going to do.

    • I will continue to be incredibly active in my country’s politics, at every level, micro-local, local, national and international.
    • I will continue investing my time and energy for you, within the DP – Demokratesch Partei to ensure we can conserve our Union and ensure we collectively succeed in the new global order.
    • I will continue attempting to make our politics more accessible, and more open to both criticism and participation.
    • I will continue encouraging, with my incredible colleague Jana Degrott (who by the way, not only had an incredible score, but also proved to be one of our country’s most committed politicians) more people to get involved.
    • I will continue speaking about AI, Defence and Cybersecurity (including Misinformation and Foreign Influence).
    • I will continue speaking about Europe’s competitiveness, our economy, our industries.
    • I will continue to ask for increased availability of information across our media in Luxembourg.

    And you may have guessed it:

    I will continue asking more of you, to choose to take responsibility and REGISTER TO VOTE.

    I want to thank all of you again for your support,

    Thank Charles Goerens , Amela Skenderovic , Nancy Braun , Jana Degrott , Gusty Graas and the entire team, every section, every MP, every member, every volunteer, for their support, and engagement into our campaign, to strengthen Europe.

    I want to also thank you for reading,

    I believe in Europe.

    If every nation in our Union plays for itself, we will all lose in the new state of the world.

    If we can continue to play together, with real, purposeful leadership, then we can succeed.

    Thank you for everything,

    This was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I look forward to doing it again for you, for our city, our country, our Union, and yes, the collective success of our world.

    Kind regards,

    Christos FLOROS

  • Europe’s Shift to Renewables & Energy Independence

    Europe’s Shift to Renewables & Energy Independence

    The drive towards renewable energy sources is not just a climate imperative but also a strategic move for Europe’s energy independence. The transition to renewables is pivotal in liberating Europe from traditional energy dependencies and securing its self-reliance in the energy sector. This shift marks a crucial step towards reshaping the continent’s energy landscape, bolstering its autonomy, and ensuring a more stable, sustainable future.

    Embracing sustainable energy options enables Europe to balance the climate crisis and curtail its dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, minimizing vulnerability to fluctuating global energy markets and geopolitical tensions. The abundance and predictability of these renewable sources offer Europe a path towards greater energy autonomy and environmental resilience.

    Solar energy, with its vast potential and accessibility across Europe, stands as a key in this shift towards independence. The harnessing of solar power not only mitigates the environmental impact but also decentralizes energy production, empowering communities and nations to generate their electricity. This transition fosters a more self-reliant energy infrastructure, reducing Europe’s susceptibility to disruptions in the global energy supply chain.

    Wind energy, is another significant component of Europe’s journey towards energy independence, and continues to offer immense promise. Its harnessing across the continent’s coastal and open spaces provides a diversified energy portfolio, lessening dependence on imported energy. Wind power’s fairly consistent availability and technological advancements can drive Europe closer to self-sufficiency, contributing to a more secure and stable energy future.

    Hydro power, a proven, and reliable renewable energy source, further underlines Europe’s quest for autonomy. Investment in innovative hydroelectric technologies amplifies Europe’s energy independence, and can help ensure a more self-reliant power supply.

    This strategic shift towards renewable energy is further amplified by the imperative to bolster energy efficiency measures. Enhancing efficiency across industries and buildings is pivotal in reducing energy waste, optimizing consumption, and ensuring Europe’s energy self-sufficiency. By investing in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices, Europe should and will fortifiy its energy independence, reduce reliance on external energy sources and fortify its energy resilience.

    For a self-sufficient, stable, and sustainable energy future for Europe.