02/11/2021 (Agence Europe) – Daniel Freund, the German Greens/EFA MEP, took over the presidency of the Spinelli Group on Monday 1 November, the group announced on 2 November. Mr Freund replaces Italian S&D MEP Brando Benifei. The Spinelli Group is a network of 72 MEPs “with a federalist spirit, which aims to reinvigorate the effort to strengthen and democratise the European Union“, according to the statement. “We want strong reforms for truly European elections, EU investment in a digital and climate-friendly future, a Europe that speaks with one voice in the world”, Mr Freund summarised. He added that unanimity in the EU Council should be abolished, that the European Parliament should have rights of initiative and that transnational lists should be introduced for European elections. (CG)