The Brief – Give the people what they want?

‘A device of demagogues and dictators’ was the verdict of Clement Attlee, Britain’s great post-war Prime Minister on referendums. He wasn’t wrong. They are also a ruse for spineless politicians to pass the buck on tough decisions to their electorates.

The biggest lesson for Europeans from Brexit

The biggest lesson of all for Europe to learn from Brexit is the importance of mobilising young Europeans to vote, writes Roger Casale.

Global health research – a chance for Moedas to shape his legacy

Lawmakers must take the chance to strengthen the EU's investment in treatments for poverty related diseases and make the EU a hub for research excellence, writes José Inácio Faria MEP.

We have five years to choose between transport heaven or hell

The expected benefits of electrified and shared vehicles are real and quantified. Yet, they are not guaranteed. There is another, darker, pathway that we could inadvertently slip into, called the “Hell Scenario” of autonomous mobility.  

Russian oil firm seeks payments in euros amid US sanction threat

Russian oil producer Surgutneftegaz is pushing buyers to agree to pay for oil in euros instead of dollars if the need arises, apparently as insurance against possible tougher US sanctions, traders who deal with the firm told Reuters.

Oettinger names and shames member states on long-term EU budget cuts

Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Finland…. The EU's Budget Commissioner Günter Oettinger did not hesitate to point the finger at countries reluctant to increase their contributions to the EU's next seven-year budget during a speech on Wednesday (19 September).

Poland avoids new EU lawsuit in extremis

First Vice President Frans Timmermans on Wednesday (19 September) was expected to ask the College of Commissioners to refer the Polish Supreme Court law to the EU’s top court, the European Court of Justice.

US soy seizes EU market, bolstering Trump trade deal

The United States has supplanted Brazil as the European Union’s top supplier of soybeans since a deal in July with President Donald Trump to avert a trade war, according to EU data seen by Reuters on Thursday (20 September).

Hungary’s foreign minister lashes at UN rights experts for ‘spreading lies’

Hungary's foreign minister lashed out at what he called "biased, pro-migration" UN human rights experts on Wednesday (19 September), accusing them of spreading lies about his country and saying Budapest had the right to keep out illegal migrants.

Romania’s strongman urged to resign with ruling party in free fall

Three former allies of the leader of Romania’s ruling Social Democrats called on him to resign on Wednesday, saying his criminal convictions have become the party’s largest vulnerability ahead of elections in 2019 and 2020.

Human rights, ecology should stand higher than business interests

The Bishops of Latin America are concerned that the EU is more prompt in negotiating new trade deals than ensuring the respect of basic human rights, when violated by companies who have their headquarters in Europe, writes Cardinal Pedro Barreto.

Further setback to banning glyphosate in France

At a vote on the agriculture and food law, French MPs again refused to enter the banning of glyphosate within the next three years into legislation. EURACTIV France reports.

EU leaders ‘nice’ to May but no sign of Brexit deal

Prime Minister Theresa May appealed directly to fellow European Union leaders on Wednesday (19 September) to drop "unacceptable" Brexit demands that she said could rip Britain apart, urging the bloc to respond in kind to her "serious and workable" plan.

Companies may try to bypass GDPR fines by negotiating with cybercriminals, Europol say

Europol, the EU's policing agency, released a report on Tuesday (18 September) in which they warned that EU data protection laws may lead to an increase in cyber-extortion.

EU-Arab States summit and Irish border on EU’s informal meeting agenda

As EU leaders gathered on 19 September in Salzburg (Austria) for an informal meeting, Austria’s Sebastian Kurz and European Council President Donald Tusk called for an EU-Arab States summit on migration next February and a Brexit summit in November.

The Brief – Asselborn to be wild

Much has been made lately about free speech and whether or not to deny populists and nationalists a platform or to let them speak. Luxembourg’s wise old foreign minister found the solution to the dilemma last week: shout, shout and let it all out.

Bulgarian government sides with Orban against Article 7

The Bulgarian government decided today (19 September) to take the side of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban against the possible Article 7 procedure requested by the European Parliament.

Mogherini unveils EU response to New Silk Road

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini announced on Wednesday (19 September) the Commission’s vision on how to better connect Europe and Asia, in what appears to be a reply to China’s Belt and Road initiative, and also an effort to prepare the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in October.

Survey on organic food: What’s behind the hype?

Survey: The demand for organic products is rising in Germany. Is this all just marketing is there more behind this increase in turnover. EURACTIV Germany reports.

McDonald’s tax deal with Luxembourg ‘not illegal’, Commission says

The European Commission concluded on Wednesday (19 September) that Luxembourg’s tax deal with McDonald’s was not illegal state aid as it did not give the company an unfair advantage, but instead was due to the “mismatch” of US and Luxembourgish tax laws.

Germany: Maaßen reshuffled from one post to another

Germany’s controversial constitutional protection chief Hans-Georg Maaßen may have had to leave his current post but he has already been promoted to state secretary in the German Ministry of the Interior. EURACTIV Germany's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Drug industry reacts to Oxfam’s allegations of tax-dodging

Four of the world’s biggest pharma companies appear to hide their profits in tax havens, according to a report published by Oxfam on Tuesday (18 September). Businesses said they are in the clear.