Far-right party seeks to kick EU out of Italian constitution
According to treaties, EU law supersedes national legislation. This is precisely what a far-right party in Italy wants to change, by introducing amendments to the constitution. Emanuele Bonini has the story in EUelectionsItaly.blog.
Sheep milk prices cause Salvini headache, Italy’s agri-boss meets Hogan
Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini has tried to placate Sardinian farmers ahead of regional elections this week, sending Italy's agriculture minister to Brussels to get the green light to introduce support measures that set a fixed price for sheep milk.
France rallies to denounce anti-Semitic insults at protests
Mass rallies are planned in Paris and other French cities Tuesday (19 February) to denounce a flare-up of anti-Semitic acts which culminated in a violent tirade against a prominent writer during "yellow vest" anti-government protests last weekend.
Pro-EU parties join forces in Poland to face off conservatives
Poland's centre-right Civic Platform (European People’s Party) has joined forces with other opposition parties in a “European Coalition” in order to challenge the ruling conservative Law and Justice party (PiS). EURACTIV Poland reports.
‘Digital gangsters’: UK parliament slams Facebook on data protection, disinformation
A UK Parliamentary report has singled out Facebook for failing to effectively protect user data and stem the spread of disinformation across its platform, saying that the tech giant "is unwilling to be accountable to regulators around the world."
Car giant Honda to scrap 3,500 jobs at UK plant – reports
Japanese carmaker Honda is expected to confirm that it will shutter its Swindon factory in 2022, where 3,500 workers ply their trade, according to media reports on Monday (18 February). Uncertainty caused by Brexit has been cited as the main driving factor.
Navracsics: ‘Health lifestyle is more than sport’
EU Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics praised the involvement of "a wide range of actors" in promoting physical activity in Europe, and called on the private sector to ensure that healthy choices are easier and more affordable for everyone.
EU Commission accused of ignoring science on e-cigarettes
The European Commission’s recent statement comparing electronic cigarettes to “poison” has prompted a strong reaction from stakeholders, who accused the EU executive of disregarding scientific evidence.
Ireland expresses ‘frustration’ at Brexit uncertainty
Ireland's deputy prime minister expressed annoyance on Monday (18 February) at Britain's continued failure to ratify a deal on its orderly withdrawal from the European Union.
Albania’s opposition MPs to resign in protest
Albania's centre-right opposition said Monday (18 February) its MPs would resign from parliament, the latest in a series of dramatic protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama, who they accuse of corruption.
Truck safety: A lack of vision and a loss of life
Cynthia Barlow’s daughter died after being struck by a truck while out cycling. When she realised how casually her child's death was treated by the legal system, she resolved to take action.
French debate on setting migration quotas reopened
The question of setting migration quotas in France has come back to the forefront through the 'great debate' initiated by Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
The Brief – Worlds apart, but still together
Is the once powerful transatlantic bond dying? If the last few weeks are anything to go by, one might well wonder… The disarray between Washington and its European allies became even more strikingly evident as US Vice President Mike Pence...
Crisis over, crisis continues
The migration crisis in Europe is over. According to the statistics, at least. The political crisis over how and whether to reform the bloc's immigration and asylum rules remains as deadlocked as ever.
Europe warns of ‘swift’ response to potential US car tariffs
The European Commission said on Monday (18 February) that the EU will respond in a “swift and adequate manner” to the possibility that the US may impose tariffs on European cars, following the submission of a US report on whether car imports represent a national security threat.
Is Russia behind climate change protests in EU? ‘Definitely yes’, says Ukraine
Ukraine is sure that Russia actively supports the recent protests in EU countries against global warming, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told a group of Brussels journalists on Monday (18 February).
Ukraine seeks EU help to prevent Russia from ‘suffocating’ its Azov Sea shore
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told Brussels journalists on Monday (18 February) his country was asking the EU and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to engage in efforts to avoid the “suffocation” of a strategic territory coveted by Russia.
Le Pen claims to be spokesperson for ‘real yellow vests’
Marine Le Pen has said that she is the mouthpiece for the “real yellow vests” for the European elections, standing up for “poor workers, admirable single mums and needy pensioners.” EURACTIV France’s media partner La Tribune reports.
France, Spain condemn Venezuela’s expulsion of EU fact-finding team
The foreign ministers of France and Spain condemned on Monday (18 February) the Venezuelan government's decision to expel a group of EU lawmakers who had travelled there on a fact-finding mission and wanted to meet with the self-appointed but widely recognised interim president. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Macron’s LREM targets the far-right at European elections
The French Minister for European Affairs already crosses swords on a regular basis with the far-right Rassemblement National and its fake news. This could prove useful practice for the upcoming election campaign. EURACTIV France reports.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.
Balearic Islands target 100% renewables, inspiring 26 EU islands
A plan by Spain's Balearic Islands to switch to 100% renewable energy and ditch coal power became law last week, while 26 islands across the EU are launching a new clean energy strategy on Monday (18 February).
Poll: EPP still the biggest group after EU elections, far-right to make gains
The center-right is set to remain the biggest group in the EU legislature after elections in May that should also show a surge in seats for the far-right, a survey by the European Parliament showed on Monday (18 February).