Some EU leaders are the “origin of fake news”, says Juncker
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker condemned Hungary's leader Viktor Orbán on Friday (14 December), accusing him of spreading fake news in relation to the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU. The comments came as EU leaders banded together to combat the spread of disinformation in the run up to the 2019 European elections.
Belgian PM suggests Visegrad countries should be ousted from Schengen
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Friday (14 December) EU countries that show no solidarity in the management of migration open the debate about whether they have a place in the Schengen area.
The Brief – Taxi for Selmayr!
In poise, stature and countenance, he appears an unremarkable man. But Martin Selmayr carries with himself the sign and semblance of an altogether unsavoury part of the European Union.
UN University director: ‘Biggest polluters should issue climate passports’
Climate change-related migration is a big issue at COP24. The idea, which involves issuing passports to the citizens of small Pacific island countries at risk of disappearing, is making its beginnings. EURACTIV France reports.
Demand grows to beef up EU’s religious freedom envoy
The fragile status of the EU’s special envoy on religious freedom is an unlikely topic of conjecture in the months leading up to next May’s European elections.
Two of 196 signatory countries to Paris Agreement have raised their climate ambitions
The signatories to the Paris Agreement are supposed to revise their climate ambitions upwards within the next 18 months. While states are struggling to get involved, businesses are trying to move forward. EURACTIV France reports.
Climate change is a problem of politics, not science
The scientific, economic and social arguments for aggressive action on climate change are powerful. Our political leaders are now at a fork in the road and our children and grandchildren are watching, write Valérie Masson-Delmotte and Jiang Kejun.
Bulgarian PM: Pilots tell me F-16 is best
Bulgaria needs a plane capable not only of patrolling, but conducting combat operations and winning, and that means buying F-16s, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists on Friday (14 December), adding that he didn’t want to influence an ongoing tender in the country.
Trans-Europe Express – Cognac catalyst
How much influence does the EU actually have over the rest of the world? In one of the most volatile regions in the northern hemisphere, the answer is: quite a lot (potentially).
Tsipras says CAP and regional policy cuts a ‘gift’ to anti-Europeans
Athens will oppose proposed cuts in the post-2020 agricultural and regional policy as this will be a “gift” to anti-EU populist forces, Greek premier Alexis Tsipras said on 13 December at the EU Council.
MEPs back digital tax plans by overwhelming majority
MEPs in the European Parliament have signalled their support in clear and uncertain terms for the taxation of digital services, during a vote in Thursday's plenary session (13 December) in Strasbourg.
China open to ‘uniform’ climate rules, sidestepping old allies
China has signalled it is open to following “uniform” global climate change rules, shifting from its usual push for a clear division of responsibilities for rich and poor countries. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.
Activist: Poland’s ‘just transition’ declaration is just posturing
The just transition declaration adopted at the COP24 in Poland sounds good but it is not connected to any kind of climate ambition or specific energy projects involving local communities, Alexandru Mustata told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Tony Blair: Britain and EU should prepare for second Brexit referendum
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will say on Friday (14 December) that Britain and the European Union should prepare for a second Brexit referendum because parliament will probably fail to agree on a divorce deal and the public will need to break the deadlock.
Tweets of the Week: Strasbourg attack, democracy challenged in Hungary, and Theresa May
Outrage over Strasbourg attack, democracy in Hungary continues to crack, and Theresa May avoids the sack.OpinionPromoted content
Power generation and transmission: quite far from a well-orchestrated symphony
The rise of renewables will require using the grid more efficiently. However, you cannot expect this from the market that neglects the grid as its fundamental assumption, write Konrad Purchała and Piotr Koryś.
France wants to support women’s role in addressing climate change
The inclusion of women in the climate debate remains in its early stages. The French women involved in the climate negotiations are trying to alert people to this issue. EURACTIV France reports.
Parliament calls for Selmayr’s resignation in landslide vote
The European Parliament yesterday (13 December) adopted a resolution, with a majority of 71%, that calls for the resignation of Martin Selmayr, the former right-hand man of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker whose rushed promotion earlier this year was criticised as "a coup-like action".
Kosovo asserts independence with vote to build an army
Kosovo lawmakers vote Friday (14 December) on whether to give the small Balkan country its own army, a US-backed symbolic show of independence that has inflamed tensions with former wartime foe Serbia.
Branson: You can’t prepare for a hard Brexit
British entrepreneur Richard Branson warned on Thursday (13 December) companies would be left reeling like boxers if Britain left the European Union without a deal to smooth its exit, and cast doubt on the effectiveness of drawing up contingency plans.
Main suspect in Strasbourg attack killed in gun battle with police
The suspected gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg was shot dead on Thursday (13 December) in a brief gun battle with police after being on the run for 48 hours, police sources said.
Warm words but no Brexit concessions, as May leaves Brussels empty-handed
EU leaders took turns to praise Theresa May on Thursday night (13 December) but the UK Prime Minister left Brussels empty-handed after promising her divided Conservative party that she would secure new concessions from EU leaders.
Borissov takes pride in crushing Bulgaria’s passport-for-bribes scam
The passports-for-bribes scam may look like an embarrassment for Bulgaria, but Prime Minister Boyko Borissov turned it around on Thursday (13 December), saying he had received compliments for the way Bulgarian law enforcement had put an end to the practice.