Laurens Cerulus

Spanish law raises concerns of EU-level ‘Google Tax’

Spanish newspaper publishers could soon demand fees from news aggregators like Google News for posting links to their articles. The law is the latest in a series of similar initiatives by national legislators, leaving EU stakeholders wondering if the Commission will follow suit with EU law.

Ombudsman pushes for more protection for EU whistleblowers

The EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, on Monday (27 July) opened an investigation into nine EU institutions, which have failed to put in place protective measures for staff members that report corruption or malpractice.

Brussels puts 30% energy savings target on the table for 2030

The European Commission on Wednesday (23 July) proposed reducing the bloc's energy use by 30% by 2030, leaving it up to EU heads of states to decide whether or not to endorse the target at a forthcoming summit in October.

Europe’s first ‘Intern Day’ highlights unfair work conditions

Internships replacing jobs are an "increasing problem" in Europe, civil society organisations protested on the first-ever European Interns Day on Friday (18 July), explaining that up to 60% of interns in Europe are still unpaid.

Liberals risk coming out of EU summit empty-handed

The European Liberals, ALDE, will lose a considerable number of influential EU positions, as a deal handing out the top jobs takes further shape at Wednesday's EU summit (16 July).

EU’s civil society giants push for treaty change

NGOs and civil society organisations demanded "a new wave of inclusiveness" and more citizens' participation in EU decision-making on Tuesday (8 July), pushing to put treaty change back on the political table.

Juncker wants more women in new Commission team

Jean-Claude Juncker, the European Commission's President-designate, has urged national governments to appoint more women in his new team of commissioners, and promised to reward those that do so with a big portfolio or vice-presidency.

Van Rompuy says door open for ‘two-speed Europe’

Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, spoke out on the EU's future after Britain's failed attempt to block Jean-Claude Juncker from becoming the next President of the European Commission.

Grand coalition accord draws near in EU Parliament

The leaders of the centre-right and socialist factions in the EU Parliament gathered on Tuesday (24 June) to discuss an accord on a number of issues that will dominate Europe’s political agenda in the next five years.

Flemish nationalist spat hits EU scene

Karel De Gucht, the EU trade Commissioner from Belgium, lashed out at the Flemish nationalist party N-VA for joining the Conservative group in the European Parliament, saying they played a “dirty trick” on the liberals, who are led by another prominent Flemish, Guy Verhofstadt.

Lobbyists increasingly look online to influence EU policy

Public affairs in Europe is increasingly moving online to reach EU policy makers, linking their campaigns to what high-level official of the EU Commission, Robert Madelin, called the ‘creation of a digital public service’ on Thursday (19 June).

German anti-Euro party joins Tories in EU Parliament

The ECR group in the European Parliament scoops up another seven seats, as news surfaced on Thursday that the German AfD party has been confirmed as a new member.

Cameron’s group challenges liberals as kingmakers in new Parliament

The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) this week welcomed several new member parties that could make it the European Parliament's third largest group while weakening its rivals. But what will the group look like?

Le Pen and Farage battle for partners to form group

Marine Le Pen held a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday (28 May) to sketch out the parties that will join her future faction in the EU Parliament. But Le Pen faces competition from Nigel Farage’s EFD group to reach the threshold of member parties.

Europhiles take the lead in Dutch EU elections, exit polls show

Geert Wilders’ populist Freedom Party (PVV) has suffered an electoral blow in The Netherlands’ EU elections, while the pro-European liberal party D66 is expected to claim the largest number of seats, according to an exit poll released on Thursday (22 May). The real winner may be abstention however.

Wilders-Le Pen alliance: what makes it, what breaks it?

The next EU Parliament will host a new Eurosceptic group on the right. EURACTIV explores if it will endure, and how it might fall apart.

UK puts business at top of next Commission’s priorities

SPECIAL REPORT / The UK’s Europe minister outlined his country’s expectations for the next EU executive, arguing the digital economy and business must come first in the fight against the economic and social crisis.

Will Flemish separatists save the Tories in Europe?

The Flemish separatist party N-VA is once again set to make big gains in Belgium’s triple elections this month, but they remain undecided about which group to join in the next EU Parliament. Could they become the much-needed new member of the ECR group, led by the British Conservative Party?

Schulz vows to tackle gender pay gap

Presenting his election programme in Brussels on Wednesday (7 May), socialist campaign frontman Martin Schulz said the gender pay gap was "dramatic" and would be a priority in the EU if he became the next President of the European Commission.

Juncker tells Cameron: I will renegotiate UK membership

Jean-Claude Juncker, the centre-right candidate for European Commission president, said on Wednesday (23 April) that renegotiating the UK’s European Union membership would be one of his priorities if he wins the job.

Website to fact-check EU election campaign claims

As European politicians hit the campaign trail for the May EU elections, the online project FactcheckEU documents how truthful their campaign speeches really are.

Parliament agrees on new rules to beef up EU parties

A reform of the European political parties, adopted by Parliament on Wednesday (16 April), will allow for more flexible funding and ‘enhance their European character’.

EU lobbyist register to become mandatory by 2017

Lobbyists trying to influence EU policymakers will soon have to disclose details on their budget and methods, after the European Parliament approved tougher rules and called on the Commission to make the EU’s lobby register mandatory by 2017.

Schulz attacked over political appointments

Green MEPs have rallied against appointments in the European Parliament administration involving its president, Martin Schulz, in the run-up to the EU elections, in which he is a candidate for the Commission presidency.