Spanish government to pardon jailed Catalan separatist leaders

The Spanish government is poised to issue pardons for nine Catalan politicians jailed for their involvement in the illegal and ill-fated referendum and declaration of independence in 2017, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

Britain begins negotiations to join trans-Pacific trade deal

Britain will begin negotiations on Tuesday (22 June) to join a trans-Pacific trade deal that it sees as crucial to its post-Brexit pivot away from Europe and towards geographically more distant but faster-growing economies.

EU slaps fresh sanctions on Myanmar junta

The European Union on Monday (21 June) imposed a third round of sanctions on Myanmar officials and state companies over the military coup on Feb. 1 that overthrew elected leader Aung Suu Kyi and sent the country tumbling into chaos.

How the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive risks destroying Europe’s forests

If the Europe Union doesn’t want an explosion in the amount of wood being harvested for “renewable heat”, it’s essential that the bugs in the Renewable Energy Directive are fixed, write Samuel Thomas, Dominic Scott and Dr Jan Rosenow.

Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector

A carbon tax on the fuel used to heat Europe's buildings is the most effective price signal to decarbonise Europe's building stock, which is in desperate need of renovation to meet the EU's climate ambition, writes Oliver Rapf.

French senators give mayors right to veto wind turbine projects

Senators adopted an amendment Friday (18 June) giving municipalities the right to veto a wind turbine project as part of the currently debated Climate and Resilience Law. EURACTIV France reports.

COVID eases but US won’t reciprocate EU in opening borders

As the COVID pandemic recedes dramatically in the West, Europe is opening its doors to Americans – but the reverse is not holding true, with the United States not budging on restrictions imposed 15 months ago.

Armenia PM wins majority in polls despite anger over war

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday (21 June) scored a decisive victory in snap parliamentary elections, bolstering his rule after months of discontent and protests following a military defeat to Azerbaijan.

All words, no action: CAP funding ineffective at combatting climate change, say auditors

EU agricultural funding for combating climate action has so far been ineffective, according to a damning new European Court of Auditors report which criticises inaction on livestock farming and calls for a “polluter pays” principle.

The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Debunking the Bulgarian veto

EU enlargement issues are decided by unanimity. One of the highlights of the upcoming EU summit on Thursday and Friday (24 and 25 June) will be the attempt to overcome the persistent Bulgarian veto on the start of North Macedonia’s accession negotiations.

Green hydrogen: robbing ‘electricity Peter’ to pay ‘transport Paul’?

An upcoming EU Delegated Act should stipulate that green hydrogen be produced from additional renewables, argues Geert De Cock.

Integrity compliance in Western Balkans infrastructure projects

Civil society has an important role to play to make sure that corruption in infrastructure projects and wrong prioritisation do not derail a €30 billion EU financial plan for the Western Balkans, a group of authors write.

The Twin Transition: How can Green Growth and Digital Transformation go hand in hand to drive Europe’s recovery?

The European Commission states that “Europe must leverage the potential of digital transformation, which is a key enabler for reaching the Green Deal objectives.”

Europe powers up electric car battery drive

As electric car sales soar, Europe has started to build up its capacity to produce batteries on the continent but it remains far from reducing its dependence on Asia.

Orban’s Europe vision: Dismantle EU Parliament

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Pride march in Warsaw amid the current backlash against the LGBT community, Germany's health minister warning football fans not to travel to London, and so much more.

Behind Airbus-Boeing truce lies a common rival: China

While the United States and Europe waged a 17-year trade battle over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus, China poured money into its own commercial aircraft to take on the Western aviation duopoly.

Turkish women rally in defense of Istanbul Convention

Hundreds of women rally in Istanbul on Saturday (19 June), urging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reverse his decision to withdraw from a Council of Europe anti-violence treaty ahead of a formal exit on1 July.

Don’t throw out the Digital Services Act’s key accountability tools

The Digital Services Act’s provisions on risk assessment and audit must stay and be improved if we are to hold tech companies accountable for harmful business models and rights violations, write Nienke Palstra, Emma Ruby-Sachs, Claudia Prettner, and Jesse Lehrich.

Leading MEP’s bid to ‘take back control of Big Tech’

The EU lawmaker responsible for the Digital Services Act (DSA) deems the landmark legislation will provide a “democratic rulebook for online platforms”, and indicates consumer protection and product safety as the red line for future negotiations.

Spanish PM heads to Catalonia before pardon to separatists

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will deliver a major speech in Barcelona Monday (21 June) as his government is poised to pardon the jailed Catalan separatists behind a failed 2017 independence bid.

Iran nuclear deal still possible after hardliner’s election, EU says

Iran and world powers can still clinch a deal to revive their 2015 nuclear accord after the election victory of a hardline Iranian president but time is running out, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Sunday (20 June).

Lebanon’s crisis caused by feud over power, says Borrell

The EU's foreign policy chief said a fight among Lebanese leaders is at the heart of its government crisis and he urged them to set their feud aside and form a cabinet or risk a total financial crash and sanctions.