EURACTIV.com with Reuters
Asylum seekers use World Cup fan papers to try to enter EU from Russia
Asylum seekers from Morocco, Nigeria, China and elsewhere have tried to enter Europe illegally from Russia using World Cup fan identity documents, police told Reuters on 20 June.
Macron warns of populism ‘leprosy’, Italy hits back
French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday (21 June) populism was spreading across Europe like a disease that Europeans should fight more vigorously instead of criticising the actions of pro-European governments like his.
Romanian ruling party leader sentenced, thousands rally against his government
The head of Romania's ruling Social Democrat party, Liviu Dragnea, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison by the Supreme Court yesterday (21 June) for inciting others to abuse of office, prompting thousands to rally against his government.
German finance minister defends euro reforms against conservative attack
Germany's finance minister on Wednesday (20 June) defended a euro zone reform blueprint agreed with France against criticism by Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives that it could undermine monetary stability.
Hungary approves ‘STOP Soros’ law, prohibits ‘resettlement of alien population’
Hungary’s parliament yesterday (20 June) approved a package of bills that criminalises some help given to illegal immigrants, defying the European Union and human rights groups. Parliament, where Fidesz has a two-thirds majority, also passed a constitutional amendment stating that...
Romania parliament changes criminal procedure; opposition says aims to hide graft
Romania's lower house of parliament on Monday night (18 June) approved amendments to the country's criminal procedure, which critics and the centrist opposition say would weaken prosecutors' powers to probe high level corruption.
Salvini wants census of Roma communities to expel non-Italians
Italy's new government plans to carry out a census of the Roma community with an eye to kicking out anyone staying in the country illegally, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said yesterday (18 June).
Conte: Germany is aware EU needs to change its migration policy
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday (18 June) she wanted to support Italy in its efforts to reduce the number of migrants arriving on its shores, possibly handling asylum requests for Europe in non-European countries including Libya.
Mercosur plays the field as EU trade talks drag on
Leaders of South American trade bloc Mercosur pushed for trade deals with Asian and other Western Hemisphere countries during a summit on Monday (18 June), as roadblocks remained in talks with the EU despite optimism earlier this year.
Merkel avoids government collapse over immigration but faces deadline
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Bavarian allies agreed to give her two weeks' breathing space yesterday (18 June) to find a European solution to a row over immigration that threatens to scupper her three-month-old coalition government.
New Czech government in jeopardy over foreign minister nomination
The Czech Communist party will withhold support from the next government if the Social Democrats stick to their nominee for the post of foreign minister, Communist leader Vojtech Filip said on Sunday (17 June).
German coalition hangs on EU summit’s delivery on asylum reform
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies, the Christian Social Union (CSU), will decide today (18 June) whether to defy her by implementing a plan to limit immigration at the German border and risk destabilising her three-month-old coalition.
Defiant Putin welcomes World Cup as Russia win
Russia welcomed the world to the soccer World Cup on Thursday as fans streamed in, the hosts savored a 5-0 victory on the pitch and President Vladimir Putin’s government derided Western efforts to isolate him.
Trump told me “You’re a brutal killer”, Juncker says
Jean-Claude Juncker has been called many things during his premiership of Luxembourg and presidency of the European Commission, but probably never what he says US President Donald Trump called him at the weekend: "a brutal killer".
Germany’s Maas unveils vision for post-Atlantic Europe
Germany's foreign minister called for the European Union to become a more self-confident global actor, prepared to take counter-measures when the United States crosses "red lines" and able to respond to Russian threats and Chinese growth.
Italian PM Conte slams French ‘hypocrisy’ in migrant convoy clash
Italy forged ahead with plans to send hundreds of migrants to Spain in a small naval convoy on Tuesday (12 June) after shutting its own ports to them, sparking a war of words with France that exposed EU tensions over immigration.
US unveils de facto embassy in Taiwan amid China tensions
The United States unveiled a new $256 million representative office in Taiwan’s capital on Tuesday (12 June), a de facto embassy that underscores Washington’s strategic ties with the democratic, self-ruled island as it faces escalating tensions with China.
Trump says summit with North Korea’s Kim ‘better than anybody expected’
US President Donald Trump said a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday (12 June) had gone “better than anybody could have expected”, and they would sign a document following talks on ways to end a nuclear standoff on the Korean peninsula
Lagarde says global economic outlook darkening by the day
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde led an attack by global economic organisations on US President Donald Trump's "America First" trade policy on Monday, warning that clouds over the global economy "are getting darker by the day".
Finns Stubb and Katainen leave door open to EU Commission top job
Former Finnish prime ministers Alexander Stubb and Jyrki Katainen left open the possibility on Saturday (9 June) that they would run to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as the EU executive’s president next year.
French farmers start refinery blockade over palm oil imports
French farmers began a blockade of oil refineries and fuel depots on Sunday evening (10 June) over plans by Total to use imported palm oil at a biofuel plant, which have fanned farmer discontent over unfair competition.
New Italian economy minister vows to stay in euro, cut debt level
Italy's new coalition government has no intention of leaving the euro and plans to focus on cutting debt levels, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said on Sunday (10 June), looking to reassure nervous financial markets.
In striking contrast with G7, Shanghai summit focuses on ‘unity’
Chinese President Xi Jingping has praised the "unity" of the Shanghai Cooperation Agreement (SCO) at the opening ceremony of the organization's summit in the coastal Chinese city of Quingdao.