News

R.I.P. EU Single Market for Small and Medium Enterprises?

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (#PPWR) takes effect on August 12. What at first sounds like just another EU regulation on packaging is becoming a problem of existential proportions for small businesses. And it also makes ordering online from inside the EU a lot more expensive or even makes it impossible to get certain products in your country at all.

Greater Access to the Lake for Everyone: For the Fair Use of Our Natural Spaces

Austria’s lakes are among the country’s most important natural and recreational areas. At the same time, access to them is restricted in many places: While the water itself is open to the public, large portions of the shoreline are privately owned. In practice, this means that although nature is present, it is not equally accessible everywhere.

Free speech for me, but not for thee?

Time for the EU to act in the defence of free press.

One Fighter, Three Names, Zero Results

The FCAS failure highlights Europe's need for a single authority to overcome national interests and avoid foreign jet dependence.

Volt believes Britain's future is at the heart of Europe and Volt UK is there to provide a Bridge to Europe.

Ten years ago, Britain was promised the world. It has had seven prime ministers and a shrinking economy. The UK will soon have a new PM. Volt strongly encourages whoever takes the keys to Number 10 to take this opportunity to bring the UK back to where it should be: at the very heart of Europe, not on the margins.

New leadership of Volt Europa dares governments to initiate treaty changes.

Bratislava, 18 June 2026 - Members and country leaders of Volt Europa adopted the "Bratislava Declaration" to conclude its General Assembly. Inês Bravo Figueiredo and Sven Franck were elected as new Volt Europa co-presidents. They announce a European political platform and demand heads of government to reform EU treaties.

Saving universities means securing the future

Whilst Europe increasingly views education, research and innovation as strategic investments in the future, Austria is debating cuts to university funding. At a time of global technological upheaval, other countries are investing heavily in knowledge, research and training. Austria, on the other hand, risks making cuts precisely in the areas where the foundations for future prosperity are laid.

A free Europe Without Innereuropean Borders

Europe stands for freedom, cooperation, and open borders within the Schengen Area. For this promise to endure, however, we need common European solutions: effective protection of the EU’s external borders, coordinated security structures, and a migration policy that fairly shares responsibility. National border controls within Europe are not a sustainable answer – they burden people living in border regions and weaken trust in a shared European future.

Four years of war in Ukraine - Austria and Europe bear more responsibility than ever before

Uncompromising solidarity with Ukraine remains unbroken.Political, economic, humanitarian and military support is essential.The 20th EU sanctions package must be implemented quickly.Volt calls for Viktor Orbán's Hungary to be stripped of its voting rights.

Building a European Army in three steps: its naïve to be against!

This piece explains Volt's vision for the integration of our armed forces. For our broader position on the future of European Defence, such as the defence industry, please read here.

Volt demands Europe to unite after the military operation in Venezuela

Vienna, 05/01/2026 - Volt chapters from across the EU call on their respective governments to allow Europe to lead a new initiative to respect the international order and to speed up efforts towards European autonomy, deterrence, foreign policy alignment and federation.

For a night train network in Europe!

Volt regrets the discontinuation of the Paris-Vienna and Paris-Berlin connections and calls on European governments to give a real boost to the development of European night train connections.

EU-US trade deal: Buying time for EU reforms?

Joint statement by Central and Eastern European chapters of Volt Austria, Volt Czechia, Volt Slovakia, Volt Hungary, Volt Poland and Volt Slovenia on the recent EU - US trade deal

We need Europe - and Europe needs you

Especially now, when the world seems to be reorganizing itself, we need a strong, capable and more democratic Europe. After all, European challenges need European solutions. National parties are reaching their limits and populist promises are putting our peace at risk. That is why we founded Volt, a movement and party for the whole of Europe.

Guest Article: Rethinking the European Committee of the Regions

In a guest article, author and architect Volker Thurm-Nemeth sheds light on the historical, cultural and institutional challenges of European unification and presents a possible reform of the Council of the Regions. The constituencies of this Council are intended to create a new, more citizen-oriented and transparent structure for the EU as a third pillar alongside the Parliament and Senate - as the basis for a federal Europe capable of taking action.

Being neutral also can mean: Neither Trump nor Putin! Volt launches petition to create a European army

March 5, 2025 - The pan-European Volt party launches a petition to unite the European Union's armed forces by creating a defense union. The initiative aims to reach the European Parliament - 10,000 signatures have already been collected in a short space of time.

Open letter to the ÖVP: Commitment to democracy and Europe in the coalition agreement!

Vienna, January 9, 2025 - The pan-European party Volt makes an urgent appeal to the Austrian People's Party: In an open letter, Volt chapters from all over Europe call on the ÖVP to draw unequivocal red lines in the coalition agreement with the FPÖ in order to protect the values of democracy, the rule of law and European integration.

Review of political developments: Failed negotiations and the start of new talks

The political developments of recent weeks have had a decisive impact on Austria's future path. The failed coalition negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS and the subsequent initiation of coalition talks between the ÖVP and the FPÖ mark a turning point that will have far-reaching consequences for the country.

Austria needs stability, reforms and a clear vision for Europe

Political developments in Europe and Austria clearly show that a stable and capable government is indispensable. In view of the failed government negotiations and the danger of new elections with a strengthening of right-wing extremism, a new approach is needed: Volt stands for courageous politics that takes responsibility and provides sustainable solutions for a progressive Austria in a united Europe.

Electoral aid for Germany

Germany will elect a new Bundestag on 23.02.2025. Volt received just under 3% of the German electorate in the European elections and the party has grown since then. Nevertheless, it is not certain that Volt Germany will end up on the ballot paper in all federal states. You can find out why this is the case and how you can help here ->

Open letter: Call for cooperation between all democratic parties!

October 2024 - Last Sunday marked a turning point in Austria: the far-right party FPÖ received the most votes. The rise of the far-right is due to emotional manipulation, fear and the offering of simple bogus solutions to complex problems. In view of the direct threat to our democracy, we are calling on all democratic parties in an open letter to work together and form a stable government without the FPÖ.