S&D chief: Conservatives and liberals did not allow Greta to speak in the EU House
The European People’s Party (EPP) and the liberals (ALDE) have blocked climate change activist Greta Thunberg from speaking in the European Parliament because “kids belong in schools”, according to the chief of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Udo Bullmann. Speaking at...
France conditions support for opening US trade talks
France wants to secure enough guarantees in terms of environmental protection and access to public procurement markets, before moving forward into trade talks with the US, president Emmanuel Macron said during the European Council on Friday (22 March).
Macron slams the EPP compromise on Orbán’s Fidesz party
French President Macron spoke in very critical terms on Friday (22 March) about the compromise reached by the European People’s Party to suspend, but not exclude Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party from the European centre-right family.
The Brief – Brexit Oddity
A photo says more than 1,000 words. This one shows the so-called ‘sherpas’ on the first day of the EU summit on Thursday (21 March) as they are trying to work through the details of the Article 50 draft conclusions. It’s...
5G not part of Italy-China agreement, Di Maio says
Chinese investments into the development of 5G communications networks are not included in the agreement between China and Italy set to be signed tomorrow, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday (22 March).
French jailbirds to vote in EU elections for first time
For the first time, a prison in northern France will make sure inmates are able to vote at the EU elections in May. Almost all of France's 80,000 prisoners have the right to cast a ballot but few have managed to exercise it until now. EURACTIV France reports.
With Brexit imminent, EU celebrates ‘neighbourly cooperation’ with EEA
Only hours after intense Brexit negotiations on a delay to the UK's exit date, EU leaders on Friday (22 March) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement on joint legislation on movement of goods, services, persons and capital.
Polish bison staring down the barrel of cull
Poland’s endangered bison herds could be subject to a cull if environmental lawyers fail in their bid to overturn a decision by the country’s head of environmental protection.
Russia angry at Poland over WWII anniversary snub
Russia expressed anger on Wednesday (20 March) that President Vladimir Putin has not been invited to ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II in Poland later this year.
EU institutions at loggerheads over online terrorist content
MEPs are seeking to "delay and time-out" the adoption of the regulation against online terrorist content, the EU's security chief Julian King said on Wednesday (21 March). His comments came as the Commission criticised online platforms for dragging their feet in removing graphic video footage following the Christchurch attacks. VideoPromoted content
The future of farming is sustainable and connected
Agriculture is a difficult business involving a lot of different aspects such as the quality of the food, the environment and the economic situation of the farmers.
The puzzle of the European aircraft carrier
A proposal by the heir apparent to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to develop a European aircraft carrier with France would be a first. But the subject seems too sensitive and complex to open the door to advanced cooperation anytime soon. EURACTIV France's partner Bruxelles2.eu reports.
Tweets of the Week: Bercow, Orban, and Vestager
Bercow’s bombshell is rather splendid, Orban’s not banned, but he is suspended, and Google and Vestager are definitely unfriended. This week we are supported by EPRA.
MEPs push to give EU prosecutor job to Kövesi on 27 March
Bucharest appears to be deliberately delaying the nomination of the EU's first-ever prosecutor general, fearing the Romanian candidate, Laura Codruta Kövesi, is well positioned to get the job, reports Dan Alexe, a blogger at EUelectionsRomania.com.
Tsipras: EU ‘disaster’ if ultra-right Weber is next Commission chief
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.
China’s new Silk Road gets bumpy as Xi visits Italy
Chinese President Xi Jinping kicks off a whistlestop European tour in Rome on Friday (22 March) amid growing Western unease over Italy joining the ever-expanding Asian giant's new Silk Road project.
Macron, Merkel and Juncker to meet China’s Xi on Tuesday
French President Emmanuel Macron invited German chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to join a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping next Tuesday (26 March), in a bid to forge a united front in European efforts to rebalance relations with Beijing.
Big oil’s ‘double speak’ on climate exposed in new report
The world’s five largest listed oil and gas companies have spent more than $1 billion touting their climate credentials since the Paris Agreement was signed, whilst lobbying to protect and expand their fossil fuel operations, according to new analysis published on Friday (22 March).
Public health activists say eradicating tobacco must be a human right
Halting the spread of tobacco “epidemic” worldwide is a human right, which global leaders should recognise as such and take particular measures in this direction, public health activists told EURACTIV.com ahead of an anti-tobacco conference in Bucharest next week.
Tobacco control: What’s next?
Tobacco consumption is the most significant cause of premature death in the EU, according to the European Commission. It is responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths every year.
Does Italy’s economic recession hinder the EU’s China strategy?
The global political debate about Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecommunications company, and its involvement in the next generation of Internet networks has forced the European Commission to rethink its China Strategy, writes Marcus Walsh-Führing.
Back May’s Brexit deal and you get more time, EU leaders tell Westminster
EU leaders will grant the United Kingdom a possible eight-week delay to Brexit provided that the House of Commons passes the Withdrawal Agreement next week, according to conclusions agreed the European Council summit on late Thursday (21 March) night.
The Brief – Avoiding the cliff-edge
The Brexit cliff-edge is now in sight and fast approaching. Who, if anyone, is going to apply the brakes?