The first resolution discussed in the morning was a possible extension of the EU, which the Youth Parliament is in favour of. However, no member state currently supports such an extension. The Youth Parliament accuse EU member states of not doing enough to counteract Euroscepticism among EU nationals.
The deputies explained that there are many internal problems which need to be resolved before the EU can be expanded. Representatives of the Youth Parliament, in contrast, suggested that extending the EU would help with the problems within the Union.
Responding to the argument that an expanded EU would carry more weight in an international context, Left MP David Wagner argued that he does not see other great powers as enemies; rather they have to work together in order to move forward. This argument was however not sufficiently convincing for the youth parliament members.
The Speaker of the Youth Parliament argued that this position was too optimistic: other world powers, such as China, will not wait for the EU to keep up. He also mentioned the climate crisis, which may lead to a lack of drinking water and the persistence of malnutrition. World powers, he suggested, will not simply "slow down"; they are not ready to give up their privileges in order to save the planet and solve such humanitarian crises.
Other topics discussed in the morning were mental health and education.
On Thursday, deputies from 5 commissions, as well as the President Conference, discussed the Platform for Youth, covering several resolutions which had been accepted at the Youth Parliament's plenary in September. This included issues such as housing, renewable energy, education and space exploration.
