Oettinger appeals to CSU to ease pressure on Merkel
Budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger, an ally of beleaguered German Chancellor Angela Merkel from her CDU party, appealed on Monday (25 June) to CDU's Bavarian sister party, CSU, to ease their pressure on the Chancellor by not setting strict deadlines to fix the migration conundrum.
Global warming will affect global electricity production
Global warming threatens global electricity production, according to a report released by four organisations on 19 June. As many as 270 power plants could face an increased risk of flooding by 2050. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
A fateful week for the Chancellor
Chancellor Angela Merkel's presumably last term in office appears to be by far the hardest of her career. EURACTIV Germany looks at the crucial week ahead.
How to protect workers’ rights in a volatile labour market?
In 2017, the European Commission proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights, aimed to ensure equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion in Europe. How can the European Union make use of the Social Pillar to protect workers’ rights? How can trade unions address the new challenges related to working conditions while protecting traditional workers?
Luca Visentini: “Now independence goes together with no social protection”
For too long, trade unions have failed to anticipate changes in an increasingly volatile labour market. It is time to take a proactive approach and protect workers’ rights, Luca Visentini, secretary-general of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Migration mini-summit: Austria cautiously optimistic
After the CSU indicated it did really not want German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Bavarian state election campaign and invited Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, both leaders met during a special summit on migration policy on Sunday in Brussels. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Europe’s cities need to start delivering smart mobility
European cities are currently toying with various types of urban vehicle access restrictions. Though these cities mean well, such restrictions are burdensome and come at a cost for motorists, so smart mobility measures need to be proposed instead, writes Laurianna Krid.
UK divided but don’t mention another Brexit referendum
Two years after voting to leave the EU, the United Kingdom is split down the middle about what Brexit should look like, whether it should happen, and whether they should have another vote on it.
Climate action should be a condition for future EU trade deals
The European Union should support France’s proposal to add compliance with the Paris Agreement as an essential element of EU trade accords, writes Steve Herz.
EU to respond to any US auto tariff move
The European Union will respond to any US move to raise tariffs on cars made in the bloc, a senior European Commission official said, the latest comments in an escalating trade row.
Claude Turmes: ‘In Council, I will continue running the show for Europe and the planet’
Former MEP Claude Turmes is attending his first Environment Council meeting on Monday (25 June), days after he left the European Parliament to join the government of Luxembourg. In an interview with EURACTIV, he explains how he sees his new role and what he hopes to achieve.
Nine European countries to formalise EU defence force plan
Nine EU nations will on Monday (25 June) formalise a plan to create a European military intervention force, a French minister said, with Britain backing the measure as a way to maintain strong defence ties with the bloc after Brexit.
EU supporters march in London to call for Brexit deal referendum
Thousands of supporters of the European Union gathered in central London on Saturday (23 June) to call on the British government to hold a final public vote on the terms of Brexit.
Latvia’s school language reform irks Russian minority
Riga's plans to impose Latvian as the main teaching language in minority schools has created tension among some of its ethnic Russian population, resurrecting a long-running dispute with Latvia's former Soviet masters.
Science-based policy making: reality or fake news?
‘Evidence-based policy-making’ constitutes one of the key slogans of the Juncker Commission and the Better Regulation agenda. But reality reveals a wide gap between theory and practice, writes Daniel Guéguen.
Science, public opinion and policy-making
The re-authorisation of Monsanto’s weedkiller glyphosate and the ban of three neonicotinoids – a class of insecticide – have opened a heated debate on the role of science in policy-making.
Pro-Russia Communists to back new Czech minority cabinet
Czech president Miloš Zeman said on Sunday (24 June) he may appoint a new two-party cabinet on Tuesday or Wednesday following eight months of political instability after last October's election.
Organic farming: Europe’s south produces, north consumes
Organic farmland in three countries in southern Europe accounts for 44.9% of the total across the EU but when it comes to the consumption of organic products, northern countries top the list.
Commission throws the ball to EU capitals on future of short food chains
The development of short food supply chains (SFSC) is constantly gaining ground in the EU. Producing and consuming locally is seen as a way to achieve fairer remunerations for farmers and higher quality local food products.
Short food supply chains in Europe’s North
The development of short food supply chains – where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed – should result in fairer remunerations for farmers and higher quality local food products, supporters say.
Time to adopt the Equal Treatment Directive
According to a 2015 Eurobarometer survey, around 12% of people in Europe consider themselves at risk of discrimination. In fact, any person in Europe could potentially fall victim to this injustice, write Birgit Van Hout and Tena Šimonović Einwalter.
Erdogan wins presidential election, opposition yet to concede
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan won Turkey's presidential election on Sunday (24 June), the head of the country's electoral body said, overcoming the biggest electoral challenge to his rule in a decade and a half.
Trump threatens 20% levy on all European cars
US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday (22 June) to impose a 20% import tariff on all cars manufactured in the EU if recent sanctions the bloc slapped on Washington are not “broken down and removed”, continuing the tit for tat trade war with America's nominal allies.