Abstract: 

The European Union has been in the midst of legitimacy crisis for several years. The author of the article diagnoses difficulties connected with the scientific analysis of this issue, indicating its causes, which arise from discrepancies in the definition bases, which constitute the initial assumptions for the research conducted so far. The article proposes new approaches, points out the current theoretical perspectives of the research and the resulting possibilities of overcoming the legitimacy crisis of the European Union. It also proposes to anticipate models for the legitimacy of the European Union on the basis of a synthesis of existing ones. The article diagnoses the causes for the difficulties, in search for an antidote for the European Union’s legitimacy crisis.

• Keywords legitimacy, crisis, European Union, demands.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2021.35.02

Abstract:

Several internet platforms control the central interfaces of the internet and have acquired enormous economic and social importance. These internet platforms show tendencies towards monopoly and expansion. An analysis of various existing regulatory concepts clarifies limits with regard to the challenges in connection with internet platforms. This thesis deals with the phenomenon and problem areas of dominant internet platforms, examines whether these can be adequately countered by existing regulatory concepts and provides recommendations on how these could be better captured by the regulations. This thesis explores the question of how internet platforms are regulated today, i.e. which laws and private regulations currently apply. Correspondingly, specific regulatory concepts are examined in broad detail. The analysis starts with various self-regulation forms, followed by regulatory concepts under competition law, which are intended to ensure the functionality of competition. These are transformed into regulatory concepts for the protection of consumers and their data and finally into comprehensive state forms of regulation in connection with monopolies.

• Keywords: EU, Economic Background, Internet Platforms, Regulatory Concepts.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2021.35.03

Abstract:

The introduction of a new method of electing the President of the European Commission in 2014, based on a specific interpretation of art. 17 of the TEU, has become a crucial event in the political life of the EU. In particular, the new method’s potential to strengthen democracy and the parliamentary nature of EU governance has been recognized. However, in reality, slightly different results have been produced. The Spitzenkandidaten mechanism turned out to be a formula based on immature solutions and electoral behavior and did not result in a clear reinforcement of the democratic factors of European integration. Instead, it has proved to be one of the expressions of inter-institutional rivalry, in which the intergovernmental European Council did not allow its competence for the appointment of the Head of the Commission to be diminished. The Commission itself, led by Jean-Claude Junker, in an attempt to exploit its „democratic” origins in 2014, has become more of a political than a managerial-administrative body. In 2019, the Spitzenkandidaten mechanism was not re-implemented, despite forced attempts of the European Parliament to do so. It seems that pragmatism has prevailed, with a clear goal – to protect one’s own prerogatives.

• Keywords: Spitzenkandidaten, European democracy, European Parliament, interinstitutional balance, European Commission.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2021.35.04

Abstract:

In the present context of COVID 19 pandemic, the interlinkages between migration and health are once again on the international agenda. The relationship between migration and health is multifaceted  and varies across migrant groups or individuals within groups. Sometimes, migration is driven by health issues, and in other cases the migration journey may worsen the health condition of the migrants and refugees, namely those migrating out of necessity. In Europe, the public health policies insufficiently address the health problems of the migrants, especially for displaced persons and irregular migrants. The impact of lockdowns and various socio-economic restrictions on the most vulnerable labour force are being investigated nowadays, and the SDG principle “no one is left behind” is seriously challenged.  The article aims to reveal several traits of the present health crisis and its impact on migrants and refugees, the vulnerabilities exacerbated by the crisis, and to identify potential measures to be taken by host countries in order to reduce the negative impact.

• Keywords: Romanian European election 2019, presidential election, electoral geography, Bucharest.
• DOI:10.24193/OJMNE.2021.35.05