Issue 514 | 4 May 2020

European Parliament President David Sassoli graces this issue’s cover, warning that platitudes about European solidarity are not enough; the EU must prove its worth to citizens by acting in unison.

In our first feature looking at the EU’s Security Union, we hear from European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and the chair of Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee Juan Fernando López Aguilar (ES, S&D).

We also examine how EU Maritime Policy could be restarted after the Coronavirus crisis and the future role it could play in meeting the Paris Climate Agreement objectives. This features acting head of the European Commission’s DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE) Bernhard Friess and MEP Deirdre Clune (IE, EPP), a substitute member of Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee.

In the news this week, we look at EU High Representative Josep Borrell’s grilling by MEPs over allegations that China influenced the Union’s reporting on Coronavirus disinformation, as well as David Sassoli’s decision to open up Parliament as a shelter for homeless women.

Also in this issue, the vice-chair of Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee César Luena (ES,S&D) explains why Europe needs a “Health Union” now more than ever, while Parliament’s rapporteur on North Macedonia’s 2019 progress report Ilhan Kyuchyuk (BG, RE) looks at EU enlargement policy in the Western Balkans.

Vice-chair of Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee Dace Melbārde (LV, ECR) defends the role that a free press plays in democracy, and former British Minister for Europe Denis MacShane weighs the prospects of a Brexit extension, while Head of the Moroccan mission to the EU, Ambassador Ahmed Rahhou explains why Rabat is looking to develop a fuller partnership with the EU.

And don’t miss our first Report Review, where we take a look at The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ (ECMWF) latest issue - European State of the Climate 2019.

Finally, answering our Five Questions this issue is French Renew Europe deputy Jérémy Decerle.