Sarantis Michalopoulos
The Brief, powered by Greens/EFA – Return to the Dark Ages
Thousands of demonstrators gathered across Greece this week to protest against the government’s push to effectively make immunisation against COVID-19 mandatory in order to lead a normal life.
Greece pays young people €150 to get vaccinated
The Greek government has announced plans to grant €150 to every young Greek who has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or will get the jab soon, calling it "a gift of gratitude" ahead of the summer.
The Brief – Where have all the Russian tourists gone?
Russian tourists, it seems, will be avoiding beaches in Greece and Bulgaria this year. Our take is that the epidemiological situation surely cannot be the excuse and that the Kremlin has decided which countries to reward with tourists and which...
European Commission puts e-cigarettes to the test
A European Commission report referencing the potential for electronic cigarettes to fall under pharmaceutical legislation has heated up the long-running debate over the health effects of these novel products.
Commission admits fossil fuel share ‘likely’ higher in transport without multipliers
Without multipliers - a statistical methodology used to encourage the uptake of renewable energy in transport, primarily in electric cars - the share of fossil fuels in transport is “likely” to be higher than the official figures published by Eurostat, a European Commission source told EURACTIV.
Five EU member states demand stricter oversight of biofuels
Five EU countries have demanded the European Commission establish a framework for stricter supervision of the use of biofuels in the bloc in the wake of a number of cases of fraud relating the sale of used cooking oil of unsustainable origin as transport fuel.
Ethanol boss: electric vehicles are not the future, but part of it
Electric vehicles are not the only future option for the decarbonisation of Europe’s transport sector, but all available sustainable solution should be taken into account, Valérie Corre from the European Renewable Ethanol Association (ePURE) told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Member states approve EU COVID travel certificate
EU leaders approved on Tuesday (25 May) Europe’s COVID-19 Certificate, aimed at facilitating travel across the bloc, following months of discussions with the European Parliament and the Commission.
EU farmers chief: Commission is ‘ultra-orthodox’ on biofuels’ sustainability
The European Commission’s insistence on capping conventional biofuels is “ultra-orthodox” as it deprives farmers of a potential market outside the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) while simultaneously hindering agriculture’s environmental potential, the head of EU farmers’ association told EURACTIV in an interview.
Brussels reporters worried about Commission’s post-pandemic press ‘ideas’
The European Commission press service has come up with a number of “ideas” about the future of press briefings in Brussels, seeking to make online events introduced during the pandemic a new norm and open to journalists across Europe. The...
The Brief, powered by FACEBOOK – Franco-German vaccine trade-offs and EU-China deal
When the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was agreed “in principle” last December, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron were rather satisfied. Their plan was to have the deal agreed upon during...
Decision on AstraZeneca jab will cost Europe thousands of lives, says expert
The EU decision to shut the door to British-Swedish pharma giant AstraZeneca’s jab and the general miscommunication over the safety of its product will cost thousands of lives in Europe, a Greek expert has said.
MEP: E-cigarettes have a place in EU cancer plan, but we must remain vigilant
E-cigarettes “undoubtedly” reduce risks compared to traditional cigarettes and have a place in the EU's plan to fight cancer. However, these products should not enjoy “lighter” regulation and Europe should treat them with the same vigilance as tobacco products, MEP Michèle Rivasi told EURACTIV in an interview.
Cyprus to push for gender equality at Porto summit
Cyprus will prioritise women’s role in the post-COVID era at the EU social summit in Porto, according to a non-paper seen by EURACTIV.com.
US surprises Europe, backs waiving COVID-19 vaccines patents
The US administration has backed lifting patents of COVID-19 vaccines in order to speed up vaccination of those in need worldwide. Europe, until a couple of months ago, had been reluctant to this option and it is unclear if it will follow the US example.
Tsipras backs AstraZeneca, slams Europe’s ‘one-industry’ approach
Greece’s main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras has given his backing to the much maligned AstraZeneca vaccine, questioning why its COVID-19 vaccine was being rolled out without drama in the UK but not in the European Union and implying that political and business interests were at play.
Convicted Greek neo-Nazi MEP arrested in Brussels
A former leading member of Greece's neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party was arrested in Belgium on Tuesday (27 April), hours after the European Parliament lifted his immunity, Greek police said.
Debate heats up over electronic cigarettes in Europe
Electronic cigarettes and novel tobacco products have emerged as alternatives to cigarette smoking, which is responsible for nearly 700,000 deaths every year in the EU.
EU Parliament to lift immunity of convicted Greek neo-Nazi MEP
The plenary session of the European Parliament is expected on Monday (26 April) to waive the immunity of Greek MEP Giannis Lagos, who was convicted in October for directing the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party as a "criminal organisation".
The Brief, powered by VDMA – The Commission’s happy virtual reality
Europe’s transport decarbonisation has never been an easy task. Transport is responsible for as much as 27% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and the European Commission admits that by 2030 things will not change dramatically. Several...
Report warns EU about increased imports of palm oil in disguise
A new report has found that the imports of Used Cooking Oil (UCO) intended for the decarbonisation of EU transport are expected to significantly rise. However, the report also called on the EU to put limits on its use, considering its controversial origin and its hidden links to palm oil.
Greece shocked by cold-blooded assassination of journalist
A famous Greek journalist covering police-related issues was assassinated on Friday in a mafia-style cold-blooded execution in front of his house, causing shock in Greek society.
EU countries fail to reach a common position on how to use the AstraZeneca jab
EU member countries have adopted different tactics on how to use the AstraZeneca vaccine, despite the Commission’s push for a coordinated approach.