The international context is compelling Europe to speed up integration, to come closer together and to unite. The war in Ukraine and Trump's return to power have prompted Member States to strengthen the European Union's autonomy and diversify their areas of cooperation. Europeans fought together against the Covid pandemic, jointly purchased military equipment and provided more aid to Ukraine than the Americans, while remaining competitive in trade. Jean-Dominique Guiliani believes that this acceleration in Europe has created 'de facto solidarity', reviving the Schuman dynamic.

Of the MEPs who took office on 16 July, 38.6% are women. These are the figures compiled by the Foundation in its summary tables ranking the Member States of the European Union according to female representation in political bodies. The three tables examine parity within governments, national parliaments and the European Parliament.