Henriette Jacobsen

Negotiators struggle to find benefits for public health in TTIP

More than a year after the launch of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks, negotiators from both sides of the Atlantic still struggle to prove the positive impact of the potential deal, on public health. 

Youth groups warn Juncker about scrapping education commissioner

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker will make "a big mistake" if he does not give a commissioner responsibility for education, the European Youth Forum has warned.

More powers for Brussels could narrow EU’s health gap, says Borg

Giving more powers to Brussels could narrow the gap in the quality of health provision between EU countries, outgoing Commissioner Tonio Borg has said in a farewell speech.

Denmark nominates Margrethe Vestager as Commissioner

Denmark's Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt on Sunday morning (31 August) revealed that she has nominated Economics and Internal Affairs Minister Margrethe Vestager as the country's next Commissioner.

EU leaders choose Tusk and Mogherini

The two favorites to become the next European Council president and foreign chief, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Italy's Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini, were appointed by EU heads of state and government in Brussels on Saturday (30 August).

Centre-left parties set to win Swedish elections

With three weeks left before general elections in Sweden, conservative Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, and the alliance of centre-right parties are heading towards a heavy defeat, according to the latest polls.  

Sweden renominates Malmström for second term as commissioner

Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on Thursday (31 July) confirmed that Sweden's nominee as commissioner for the next term will be Cecilia Malmström, currently in charge of the EU executive's home affairs department.

Juncker ‘owes nothing’ to Cameron over top EU jobs

British Prime Minister David Cameron will press Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission President-elect, to assign a prestigious portfolio for Britain in the next EU executive when the pair meet over breakfast this morning (17 July). But Juncker "does not owe him anything," his spokeswoman warned, in a sign that tensions are still running high between the two men.

Kroes supports Danish PM for EU Council job

Neelie Kroes, the Dutch EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, has publicly endorsed the Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt to become the next President of the European Council, ahead of a key EU summit on Wednesday (16 July).

EU convenes emergency meeting to rescue Youth Employment Initiative

Brussels is hosting a special seminar Friday (11 July) to help EU member states receive funding as soon as possible under the the EU's Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), which has so far failed to deliver results.

Fighting youth unemployment: an EU priority

Between 2007 and 2013, youth unemployment reached record highs across Europe, dramatically increasing from 15.7% to 23.4%, according to Eurostat. EU heads of state and government agreed in February 2013 to launch a €6 billion Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) to get more young people into work. 

Denmark scraps planned ban on phthalate chemicals

After pressure from the European Commission and the outcome of a related court case, the Danish government has decided to scrap its planned ban on four phthalates, a group of chemicals used to soften plastic.

Merkel admits EU’s youth unemployment initiative has been a failure

During the EU's Council summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted during the EU's Council summit that the EU's Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), launched a year ago, has so far been a failure.

Danish municipality approves country’s first shale gas drilling licence

Frederikshavn, a municipality located in the north of Denmark, voted 'yes' on Wednesday (25 June) to letting the French energy company Total explore whether there is shale gas in the area. It is the first time a drilling license for shale gas has been approved in Denmark.

Danish PM: EU top job speculation ‘disturbs my work’

Ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt denied rumours that she could be offered an EU position, saying the constant speculation was interfering with her work.

Growing concerns over medicines agency’s proposed rules for transparency

A growing number of health and consumer advocacy organisations are urging the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to rethink its proposals to restrict the viewing of clinical trial results ahead of a board meeting Thursday (12 June).

Commission publishes health and safety strategy for EU workers

Every year more than three million workers are victims of a serious accident at work in the EU and 4,000 people die in workplace accidents. The Commission today (June 6) published a new strategy framework on Health and Safety at Work for 2014-2020.

Eurosceptic Danes and Finns leave Farage’s group

The eurosceptic Danish People's Party, and The Finns party, have left Nigel Farage's Parliament group, Europe of Freedom and Democracy, which they previously belonged to.

France to jumpstart Youth Unemployment Initiative funding

France has become the first EU country to receive funding from the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) to tackle unemployment among young people. The European Commission will make funding available so that France can receive €620 million from the YEI and the European Social Fund (ESF). 

Unexpected elections result might make Danish PM decline EU job

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, whose name has been floated in Brussels, might choose to decline an EU post after making a surprisingly good showing at the European Parliament elections on Sunday.

Danes support EU patent court in referendum

With a clear 'yes', the Danes have voted to join the EU's Unified Patent Court. According to DR television news, 33.7% of Danes supported the patent court, 20.2% voted against, and 44.2% decided not to vote. 

Danish far right party wins in EU elections, doubles mandate

The far-right Eurosceptic Danish People's Party has won 26.7% of the votes and becoming by far the biggest Danish party in the Parliament with four seats. The party has doubled its mandates since 2009.  

Greens open to discussions with Juncker

The European Green Party looks to have won 55 seats, up 11 seats from 2009, and the best result for Green parties in European elections ever, while many new and small parties also potentially could end up in the leftist group.

Socialists win by landslide in Sweden as voters punish governing parties

Swedish voters in the European Parliament elections have punished the parties of the centre-right government coalition and in particular Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's Moderates, which only got 13.5% of the votes.