The Archive

The questions. The debates. The verdicts.

Explore every session of The Long Council.

39 of 151 sessions
  1. 28 June 2026

    Is the rise of the AfD a threat to German democracy, or a sign that it functions?

    Verdict

    The AfD's rise is a warning that German democracy is failing its eastern citizens, not proof it is working.

    EUDemocracy
  2. 20 June 2026

    Why don't EU countries invest in mutual train lines to reduce CO2 emissions?

    Verdict

    EU cross-border rail stalls because each member state pays now and waits decades to benefit, while no corridor-level institution enforces shared commitments.

    EUClimate
  3. 19 June 2026

    How can Europe develop AI capabilities while reducing its dependence on the US?

    Verdict

    Europe must build shared compute infrastructure and use public procurement to anchor European AI capacity before dependency becomes impossible to reverse.

    USEUGovernanceGeopoliticsAI & Technology
  4. 15 June 2026

    Should the EU build an army?

    Verdict

    Europe needs its own defense capacity but splits on whether this strengthens or replaces the Atlantic alliance.

    EUGeopoliticsWar
  5. 14 June 2026

    Should the EU build a unified military force?

    Verdict

    Build European military capability within NATO structures, not as replacement.

    EUGeopoliticsWar
  6. 13 June 2026

    How can the EU reduce its dependency on US and Chinese AI?

    Verdict

    Europe must build AI capability through strategic state investment while liberalizing regulations to attract private talent and capital.

    USEUChinaGovernanceGeopoliticsAI & Technology
  7. 13 June 2026

    Who would win from European degrowth—the planet, China, or nobody?

    Verdict

    China wins from European degrowth while the planet loses.

    EUChinaEconomyGeopoliticsClimate
  8. 11 June 2026

    How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?

    Verdict

    The EU must impose targeted tariffs to counter China's $57 billion subsidies while building its own industrial capacity.

    EUChinaEconomy
  9. 11 June 2026

    Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?

    Verdict

    Trade barriers will slow European innovation more than they protect strategic industries.

    EUChinaEconomy
  10. 9 June 2026

    Should the EU develop nuclear weapons itself?

    Verdict

    European nuclear capacity would either strengthen Europe's alliance position or destroy the security architecture that has protected it for seventy years.

    EU
  11. 8 June 2026

    Can the European Union become both more democratic and more decisive at the same time, and if so, how?

    Verdict

    Europe can become more democratic and decisive by building delivery capacity first in energy, defense, and fiscal policy.

    EUGovernanceDemocracy
  12. 2 June 2026

    Is Europe experiencing democratic backslide, and does a rightward shift among governments pose a problem?

    Verdict

    Europe's rightward shift represents democratic choice exercised against democratic norms.

    EUGovernanceDemocracy
  13. 29 May 2026

    How can we make democracy in Germany more resilient?

    Verdict

    Ban the AfD through constitutional procedures while rebuilding the economic security and civic engagement that extremism exploits.

    EUDemocracy
  14. 29 May 2026

    Who should pay for the added cost of sustainable kerosene in Europe?

    Verdict

    Airlines should charge passengers for sustainable fuel costs, but with progressive pricing that protects low-income access.

    EUClimate
  15. 21 May 2026

    Should European countries develop independent defence capabilities as a backup to US security guarantees?

    Verdict

    Europe must build independent defence capabilities while strengthening, not replacing, NATO structures.

    USEUWar
  16. 15 May 2026

    Has Britain entered an accelerating spiral of disorder?

    Verdict

    Britain's institutions work but lack the will to enforce hard choices — this is decline, not disorder.

    EUGovernance
  17. 14 May 2026

    How can the EU avoid a full-blown trade war with America and China?

    Verdict

    Build what both superpowers need but cannot easily replace, then make them compete for access.

    USEUChinaEconomy
  18. 12 May 2026

    Should UK PM Starmer resign?

    Verdict

    Starmer should resign if he cannot unite Labour around policies Britain needs.

    EU
  19. 6 May 2026

    Should we have a flying miles system where every citizen of the EU gets a free amount of miles they can travel by plane each year. If they are out of miles they can buy from other eu members that are not using them in an open marketplace. This will ensure there is a redistribution of wealth. People with less money can sell their miles for a fun holiday by car while the rich can fly far away.

    Verdict

    The system could work but requires choosing between market efficiency and climate justice.

    EUEconomyDemocracyClimate
  20. 5 May 2026

    How can Europe develop a long-term strategy for climate and conflict migration that combines humane reception with social stability?

    Verdict

    Europe must prepare institutions for predictable climate migration rather than manage it as permanent crisis.

    EUWarClimate
  21. 4 May 2026

    Why is it so hard to create affordable housing in large European and US cities, and how can it be fixed?

    Verdict

    Cities must build housing like infrastructure — with public finance and long-term planning — because private markets build only for the highest bidders.

    USEU
  22. 4 May 2026

    Is it possible to reverse the downfall of empire like the EU?

    Verdict

    The EU can reverse decline but only by completing political union or accepting managed fragmentation.

    EUGovernance
  23. 3 May 2026

    Should the EU impose sanctions on Israel for its attacks on Lebanon?

    Verdict

    EU sanctions would isolate Europe without changing Israeli behavior or protecting Lebanese civilians.

    EUEconomyGeopoliticsWar
  24. 30 April 2026

    Should Europe give African countries easy access to the EU market in order to stimulate African economies and reduce immigration to the EU?

    Verdict

    Europe should open markets to African manufactured goods, not just commodities, while African states invest export revenues in education and infrastructure.

    EUEconomy
  25. 30 April 2026

    How to secure Europe's future by allowing construction of datacenters, while protecting affordability in energy for the European population?

    Verdict

    Europe must choose between cheap energy for consumers today and digital infrastructure that prevents technological dependence tomorrow.

    EUDemocracyClimate