Commission accuses Telefónica of breaking merger promise
Spanish telecoms operator Telefonica has failed to help rivals enter the German mobile market, breaking a promise made five years ago in return for the European Commission's approval of its acquisition of E-Plus, the institution said on Friday (22 February) in a landmark case.
The Brief – Sibiu, the right cradle for a new Europe?
Sibiu was intended to be the synonym of a ‘new hope’ for Europe. But the landmark summit to take place in the Romanian city in May is increasingly overshadowed by the tricks and faults of the host country. Romania’s rotating...
Poland seeks to protect its Ukrainian connection
Although they are vital to the Polish economy, no one really knows how many Ukrainian migrants live in the country.
EU Commission wants to support health systems better through structural funds
Many regions of Europe for poor medical care because there is a lack of doctors, money or infrastrcture. The Commission is now considering how the structural funds can help in a targeted way. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Romania treads water on migration and asylum reforms
In 2015, Romania voted against relocation quotas for refugees within the EU, though it later supported the UN’s Global Compact on Refugees. Recently, it was asked by the UNHCR to use its six-month EU presidency to mobilise member states to be more active in managing the flows of refugees. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Trans-Europe Express – Friends won’t be friends
First official projections of seats in the new European Parliament have shown two right-wing ruling parties, Italy’s Lega and Poland’s PiS, as the second and third-biggest single party in the next Parliament, but the highly anticipated ‘Italo-Polish axis’ doesn’t seem to pan out.
5 Star ‘very surprised’ by EU health chief’s jab at Italy on vaccination
EU health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis pointed the finger at the Italian government on Tuesday (19 February), saying decisions on vaccination should be based on science rather than "fake news".
German farmers protest against green energy grid expansion
Germany's parliament is looking into a law meant to speed up electric grid expansion and move forward the country's energy transition. But German farmers are not happy and have called for more compensation from the federal government. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Tesla taps China’s market ahead of schedule
US electric car giant Tesla has started delivering its Model 3 car in China slightly ahead of schedule, as it looks to revive sales that have been hit hard by Sino-US trade tensions.
EU Parliament turf war risks derailing 2050 climate planning
A dispute between two European Parliament committees threatens to tarnish a debate about the EU’s climate plans for 2050, after MEPs backed two separate resolutions on the European Commission’s strategy.
European Defence Fund agreed amid ethics concerns
EU institutions reached a partial political agreement on the European Defence Fund (EDF) this week but decisions on the two major issues - budget and funding eligibility - had to be postponed as the file remains plagued by controversy.
Eurelectric boss: ‘The gas system has to be more focused on what makes it really unique’
As the European Union turns the page on a series of clean energy laws focused on electricity, attention is now turning to decarbonisation in the gas sector, with an upcoming gas package expected in 2020. And the power sector intends to play a central role there too.
Not there yet but closer: Britain and EU haggle over Brexit compromise
Britain and the European Union on Thursday (21 February) played down the chances of clinching an immediate Brexit divorce deal but diplomats said they were edging closer to a legal compromise that Prime Minister Theresa May hopes will win over...
Putin to US: I’m ready for another Cuban Missile-style crisis if you want one
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one and threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships or submarines near US territorial waters.
Tweets of the Week: Election poll, copyright mob, and Fidesz in trouble
Shock and awe at latest Parliament poll, Commission scores copyright own goal, and Hungary’s Fidesz party is playing the troll.
The Capitals: Czech far-right supporters expose their party, back Syrian orphans
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.
Supporting innovation to unlock a €1 trillion IoT prize for Europe
Many European small tech companies, eager to tap the potential of 5G connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT), face a "scary reality", writes Brian Scarpelli.
EPP protects Orbán for now, fearing he might join far-right
The EPP does not want to raise tensions with its ‘bad boy’ Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán because this might push him towards joining Italian populist Matteo Salvini or even far-right Marine Le Pen, a Christian-Democrat (CDU) told EURACTIV.de.
In Moldova, voters choose between Russia and Europe
Voters in Moldova head to the polls on Sunday (24 February) for a parliamentary election reflecting the tiny ex-Soviet republic's long-standing division between pro-Russians and pro-Europeans.
First Arab-EU summit billed as chance to cooperate in troubled region
European and Arab leaders are to hold their first summit Sunday (24 February), in what the top EU diplomat sees as a chance to boost cooperation across a troubled Mediterranean region.
The Brief – The untold Brexit story
There are hundreds of articles about the impact of Brexit on UK businesses. What is striking is that there is virtually nothing similar about its impact on European businesses. As if Brexit would only hurt the UK side. While the EU stands to profit from it. We don’t buy that.
German bill to tackle undeclared work and child benefit fraud
German finance minister Olaf Scholz has presented a bill for German customs to be given more employees and powers. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Brexit is dissolving British politics
The new eleven-member Independent Group is the latest product of a Brexit process that is dissolving British politics, writes Denis MacShane.