Beatriz Rios
EPP votes to suspend Hungary’s Fidesz party membership
The European People's Party (EPP) suspended Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party over alleged violations of EU rule-of-law principles on Wednesday (20 March), in a compromise solution that allowed the EPP to keep its 'bad boy' in and bolster party unity ahead of the European elections.
May and Juncker in tug of war over Brexit extension deadline
British Prime Minister Theresa May formally asked the EU on Wednesday (20 March) for an extension of the Brexit date until 30 June. In response, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned that Brexit needs to be completed before 23 May.
Almost 7% of EU imports are counterfeit and pirate goods
According to a joint report by Europe's intellectual property office and the OECD released on Monday (18 March), 6.8% of EU imports are counterfeit and pirated goods. That accounts for €121 billion.
In Bucharest, local leaders call to rebuild the EU from the bottom
Hundreds of European local and regional leaders demanded a bottom-up approach to rebuild the EU, during the 8th Cities and Regions summit in Bucharest, ahead of the informal European Council on the future of Europe in Sibiu in May.
The Irish Border and Brexit
The decision of the British people to leave the European Union will have important consequences both in Europe and in the UK, but Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland will be the most heavily impacted by Brexit.
May to request Brexit delay after MPs back extension
The UK will formally request a delay to its exit from the EU after the House of Commons overwhelmingly endorsed an extension on Thursday (14 March) in a vote whose result means Theresa May’s government has formally abandoned plans for the UK to leave the bloc on 29 March.
Taking back control: Empowering women and girls through sports
World champions and Olympic athletes are helping empower school girls through sports to become leaders in their communities, thanks to an EU funded project.
UK set to demand Brexit extension after MPs hand heavy defeat to May
UK MPs again rejected Theresa May's Brexit Withdrawal Agreement by a huge majority on Tuesday evening (12 March), dealing a devastating blow to the embattled prime minister's credibility
Supporting sports to boost gender equality
Getting to better know your body, having healthier habits, gaining confidence… sports can be a tool for education for children, but also to enhance gender equality. Through its Erasmus + programme, the EU has been funding initiatives that aim at supporting inclusiveness, and integration in athletics events, including gender equality.
Sport can help bring Europeans together, education expert says
In a period when Europe appears to be increasingly divided, sports can help bring people together and promote social integration, the president of the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and education expert Laurent Petrynka told EURACTIV in an interview.
Brexit: Bad for UK, worse for N. Ireland – former EU representative
In an interview with EURACTIV.com, Jane Morrice, a former member of the Women's Coalition in Northern Ireland, reflects on the role of women in supporting post-conflict reconciliation and the situation in the region after Brexit.
Spanish far-right joins Orban in his defence of the Europe of nations
The Secretary-General of Spanish far-right party Vox defended the need to safeguard Europe by defending its nations face to “Merkel, Macron and Soros’ globalism” during an event in the European Parliament on Wednesday (6 March).
Gender balance in the workplace: ‘Not a women’s issue anymore’
The work-life balance directive is only a few steps away from becoming law after the European Parliament and EU member states reached political agreement in January. The new rules will boost women’s representation in the workplace while securing at least 10 days of paid parental leave for fathers.
Brexit impact in Northern Ireland: When peace is at stake
Time is running out as the UK is set to leave the EU on 29 March, and an orderly withdrawal is not yet secured. EURACTIV has travelled to Northern Ireland where Brexit is more than a political or economic issue - it is a challenge for peace.
Looking back to move forward: Building trans-generational peace in Northern Ireland
Shay McArdle is 21 years old. He lives in Dundalk, Ireland, and has no idea what a hard border looks like or what it was like to live through the 'Troubles'. But he is committed to preserving the state of peace that he was born into.
EU is a driving force in supporting peace in Northern Ireland
Peter used to be a policeman during ‘the Troubles’, while Tom served 13 years in the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a paramilitary group. Now, both help former combatants reintegrate into Northern Irish society. A project like this would have been almost impossible without the EU’s support.
Northern Ireland – A cross-border economy at stake
As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Northern Ireland will be severely affected as its economy is highly interlinked with the Republic of Ireland. Disruptions to the supply chain and access to markets are the main concerns for businesses.
Voices from the regions: Brexit impact along the Irish border
On 29 March, the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union. EURACTIV.com's on-the-ground reporting looks into the effects of Brexit on EU regions and, in particular, its implications for the relationship between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Brexit will be painful for the EU27 too. This is where it will hit hardest
As the deadline for the UK's departure from the EU approaches, EURACTIV.com looked at how Brexit will impact the rest of Europe. Ireland, France and Germany are likely to be the most heavily affected.
Spain to hold early elections on 28 April
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Friday (15 February) for snap elections on 28 April, only nine months after he took office, after failing to secure the Parliament’s support for his 2019 budget.
EU court rules against Commission on Belgium ‘excess profit’ tax scheme
The system of exception for the excess profit of Belgian entities that are part of multinational corporate groups does not constitute illegal state aid, contrary to the European Commission's previous assessment, the EU's top court ruled on Thursday (14 February).
Don’t link EU regional funds with budget deficit rules, Parliament insists
EU lawmakers rejected on Wednesday (13 February) a controversial proposal by the European Commission to make payments of cohesion funds conditional to the observation of country-specific recommendations on economic reforms.
EU needs ambitious Cohesion policy to achieve SDGs, socialists argue
Europe’s economic strategy should focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Cohesion policy is key in getting there, socialist groups in the European Parliament and in the Committee of the Regions said in an appeal launched on Thursday (7 February).