The Brief – Spain’s call for elections: A wish for common sense
Spain wrapped up a dizzying week as Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called early elections for 28 April. It will be the third time Spaniards go to the ballot box in four years, with the political scene thrown wide open by recent developments.
Spain to hold early elections on 28 April
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Friday (15 February) for snap elections on 28 April, only nine months after he took office, after failing to secure the Parliament’s support for his 2019 budget.OpinionPromoted content
Regulatory flaws in Clean Energy Package, part 2: Can bad legislation deliver good regulation?
New rules on the internal electricity market, part of the Clean Energy Package (CEP), will soon be adopted. Volume, time pressure, complexity, and political weight took a toll on legislative quality – possibly leading to cumbersome implementation, writes Juliusz Kowalczyk.
French students starting to mobilise against climate inaction
In Paris, it is French students rather than secondary school pupils who are mobilising for the youth climate march, a movement which is slowly gaining momentum in France. EURACTIV France reports.
Trans-Europe Express – Mother of all European elections
At a press conference about '100 days before the next European elections', European Parliament spokesperson Jaime Duch Guillot made plenty of use of superlatives. Because this year’s European elections are dead serious.
Pompeo meets EU’s top diplomat after Pence’s Iran accusations
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with the EU's top diplomat in Brussels on Friday (15 February), a day after Vice President Mike Pence accused America's traditional European allies of trying to undermine U.S. sanctions against Iran.
Glyphosate ban was out of pesticide committee’s scope, co-rapporteur says
Greens did not back the call to ban glyphosate because out of the mandate of pesticide special committee, pledging to battle for it at the right time and moment, Greens co-rapporteur on the final report Bart Staes explained in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
Gas must be ‘completely’ decarbonised by 2050, says UK think-tank
Britain must entirely get rid of fossil-based natural gas in the coming three decades if the country is to meet its long-term decarbonisation objectives, according to a think-tank close to the ruling Conservative party.
Renewable energy will be world’s main power source by 2040, says BP
Renewable energies will be the world’s main source of power within two decades and are establishing a foothold in the global energy system faster than any fuel in history, according to BP. The UK-based oil company said wind, solar and other...
Ukraine’s elections highlight deep divides over natural gas
The direction of Ukraine’s energy policies is of great interest to observers in Brussels and the European capitals, as a stable and prosperous Ukraine would increase overall European energy security, writes Robert Rapier.
Young people and women ‘both needed’ in the next CAP, Spaniards say
Excessive red tape, combined with lack of access to land and proper rural infrastructure, continues to be the main obstacle to attracting young men and women in Spain’s agriculture sector. EFE Agro reports.
Tweets of the Week: Brexit, copyright, and valentines
Roses are red, violets are blue, This week it’s Brexit, copyright and lazy rhymes too.
Ahead of EU polls, Facebook voids accounts targeting Moldovan election
Facebook Inc said on Thursday (14 February) it had disrupted an attempt to influence voters in Moldova, increasing concerns that EU elections in May could be prey to malign activity.
An opportunity for transatlantic unity on Iran
This week marks the 40th anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the Shah in Iran and created the Islamic Republic. It is a good time to review the position of the European Union and its member states towards this totalitarian theocracy, argues Alejo Vidal-Quadras. VideoPromoted content
Explaining risk versus hazard
The terms “risk” and “hazard” are regularly used by scientists, industry and regulators. But what do they mean? And what is the difference between them?
EU court rules against Commission on Belgium ‘excess profit’ tax scheme
The system of exception for the excess profit of Belgian entities that are part of multinational corporate groups does not constitute illegal state aid, contrary to the European Commission's previous assessment, the EU's top court ruled on Thursday (14 February).
The Brief – Eurocrat XI
The European Parliament has teamed up with the world of football in an effort to get us all out to vote in May and it’s not a bad idea. But how would the EU officials we know and love fare on the pitch if asked to pull on a pair of boots?
Europe strengthens monitoring of foreign investment
The European Parliament approved on Thursday (14 February) the proposal to screen foreign investment at EU level, clearing the path for closer monitoring of third country companies willing to invest in EU’s critical sectors.
EU Commission, farmers fume at Greenpeace on animal farming report
The European Commission and the EU farmers association (Copa Cogeca) both dismissed a report conducted by Greenpeace as groundless and simplistic. The report argued that animal farming in Europe was using too much agricultural land.
‘No alternative’ to digital construction, expert says
The digitisation of the EU's construction industry is an oft-overlooked area of technological development, both politically and socially. EURACTIV.com spoke to Milena Feustel to shine a light on the sector and explore the direction the digital construction is going in across Europe.
Over a Coffee with Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout, lead candidates for the Greens
Ska Keller and Bas Eickhout, lead candidates in the European Elections for the Greens meet with EURACTIV’s Brian Maguire over a coffee to talk about the upcoming EU elections.
Europe creates labour watchdog to fight against abuses
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to set up a new European Labour Authority (ELA) to protect workers’ rights and launch cross-border investigations in case of potential abuses.
Google, Amazon among those targeted in EU unfair practices digital rules
Google, Amazon and other tech firms will have to tell companies how they rank their own or rival products on their platforms under new rules agreed by EU negotiators aimed at stopping unfair practices by online platforms and app stores.