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Macron announces U-turn on development budget
After announcing budget cuts at the beginning of July, President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed his commitment to increase France’s official development assistance budget to 0.55% of gross national income (GNI) by 2022. EURACTIV France reports.
Member states fail to back Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
The Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has stalled. The situation is frustrating the European Parliament and Commission, which have demanded that EU member states respect their commitments. EURACTIV France reports.
Looming CETA application undermines Macron’s campaign promise
The provisional entry into force of the EU’s free trade agreement with Canada on 21 September leaves little time for the evaluation committee established by France’s new president to deliver its verdict on the deal. EURACTIV France reports.
French anger at CAP co-financing proposal
The European Commission’s suggestion that EU member states co-finance part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the biggest consumer of the bloc’s budget, has met with steady support in Germany and exasperation in France. EURACTIV France reports.
French power sector and NGOs demand clearer climate roadmap
In response to France’s climate package, the electricity sector has called for higher carbon taxes, while NGOs have criticised the vagueness of the country’s plan to increase European ambition on the issue. EURACTIV France reports.
French backtracking on FTT undermines development commitments
France’s development aid objectives appear to be compromised by a reduction in the base of the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), which funds more than 20% of the country’s international solidarity effort. EURACTIV France reports.
France raises its environmental game with ambitious new climate package
With plans to make France carbon neutral and phase out fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2040, Paris is showing new levels of ambition when it comes to the environment. EURACTIV France reports.
France continues to block debate on Strasbourg seat
The movement to establish a single European Parliament seat in Brussels has the wind in its sails. But France is resolutely blocking any serious debate on the closure of the institution’s Strasbourg premises. EURACTIV France reports.
Parliament calls for legislation against Europe’s throwaway society
MEPs agreed on Tuesday (4 July) that manufacturers of electronic appliances should be encouraged to boost the useful life-span of their products by offering affordable spare parts and repair services. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs pass new rules to tackle multinationals’ tax avoidance
The European Parliament on Tuesday (4 July) voted to oblige multinationals to publish details of their activities on a country-by-country basis, even outside the EU. The measure is designed to help the poorest countries fight tax evasion. EURACTIV France reports.
Jean-Yves Le Gall: ‘Mars is the pinnacle of exploration’
The European Space Agency has its sights set on the red planet. The only real barrier to a manned mission is the length of the journey, Jean-Yves Le Gall said in an interview with EURACTIV France.
Leaders gear up for global steel trade war ahead of G20
Donald Trump could block steel imports for reasons of national security. Europe, already in conflict with China over dumping in the sector, will attempt to mobilise opposition to this move. EURACTIV France reports.
EU fails to convince ACP countries to sanction Burundi
Despite two years of political crisis and a downward spiral of human rights and rule of law abuses in Burundi, Europe has failed to mobilise a wave of condemnation from other developing countries. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron isolated over Chinese investment controls
French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to protect strategic industries by granting Brussels the power to oversee Chinese acquisitions in the EU will be rejected by other EU leaders at this Friday’s (23 June) Council summit. EURACTIV France reports.
EU recognises bisphenol A as an endocrine disruptor
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified bisphenol A, a chemical found in many common plastic products, as an endocrine disruptor and a ‘substance of very high concern’. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron loses his three most Europhile ministers
Three of Emmanuel Macron’s ministers have resigned to protect the government from a potential scandal over the employment of assistants in the European Parliament. The former ALDE group MEPs anchored Macron’s government firmly on the European stage. EURATIV France reports.
Macron prepares for first EU summit as a free political agent
Right, left or centre? In preparation for his first EU summit as president of France, Emmanuel Macron has chosen not to throw his lot in with any political family. He has his own strategy and expectations are high all round. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s Defence Minister, Syvie Goulard, resigns
France’s Defence Minister Sylvie Goulard resigned on Tuesday (20 June). The former MEP wanted to demonstrate her willingness to cooperate with an investigation into her party’s employment of assistants in the European Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Quiz: How much do you know about Brexit?
Negotiations between the UK and the EU began on Monday (19 June) and are scheduled to take until March 2019. It is crucial for the future of European and British citizens that both sides reach a good settlement in the complex divorce. How much do you know about the subject?
Conflicts of interest erode trust in food safety agency
Close to half of the experts at the European Food Security Agency have conflicts of interest that call into question the validity of the agency’s work, according to a new study by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO). EURACTIV France reports.
European Parliament on the fence over tax transparency for multinationals
After a vote on Monday (12 June) by MEPs, European multinationals will be obliged publish details of their activities in every country where they operate. But a number of exemptions could weaken the tax transparency system. EURACTIV France reports.
France set to enter world top ten for parliamentary gender balance
Currently 63rd in the global ranking, France could rise to second place in Europe for gender balance in parliament after the second round of the legislative election this Sunday (18 June). The first-round collapse of the traditional parties has cleared unprecedented space for female candidates. EURACTIV France reports.
After Brexit, Europe must take the lead on development aid
The loss of the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s biggest aid donors, will force the EU to strengthen its development action. In France, the election of Emmanuel Macron could give development policy a much-needed boost, Rémy Rioux said in an interview with EURACTIV France.
EU targets terror financing with VAT fraud crackdown
To gain the cooperation of reluctant countries such as Germany in its anti-fraud efforts, the EU executive is highlighting the link between VAT fraud and terrorism. EURACTIV France reports.