Central Europe
Mussels, health, and Baltic tourism. What do they have in common?
Initiatives like the Baltic Sea Region combine the unusual and predictable in developing people’s sense of shared responsibility for the development of their home regions, writes Jerzy Kwieciński.
Orbán exempts pro-government behemoth media group from scrutiny
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has exempted a mammoth pro-government media group from scrutiny by the national competition watchdog, according to a decree published late on Wednesday (5 December).
Slovak foreign minister’s resignation over Migration Pact puzzles political scene
Slovak President Andrej Kiska is taking “time to think” about Foreign Affairs Minister Lajčák's resignation. The long-serving pro-European career diplomat, Lajčák said he was stepping down after the Parliament’s refusal of the UN migration compact last week. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Czech MEP Niedermayer: Politics is more aggressive, social networks are to blame
The Czech attitude towards the eurozone is only a small part of a bigger problem called “searching for the right approach to the EU”, says Czech MEP Luděk Niedermayer (EPP).
Czech PM probe damages country and EU, MEP Grassle says
The ongoing investigation into Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s possible conflict of interest damages the Czech Republic and harms the EU as well, MEP Ingeborg Grässle said, revealing that the inquest has almost drawn to a conclusion. EURACTIV.cz's media partner Aktuálně.cz reports.
The Swiss-EU ‘bilateral way’: an inspiring option?
The Brexit discussion has shed a new light on the relations the EU has with non-member states. Switzerland and the EU are currently reinforcing the bilateral way by negotiating new bilateral agreements.
In rare coordinated move, Western envoys seek meeting on Xinjiang concerns
A group of 15 Western ambassadors in Beijing, spearheaded by Canada, are seeking a meeting with the top official in China’s restive, heavily Muslim Xinjiang region for an explanation of alleged rights abuses against ethnic Uighurs.
Seehofer to step down as CSU chair
Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior, Horst Seehofer, wants to imitate Angela Merkel and give up his position as party chair. It remains unclear whether he will be able to keep his ministerial post in the long term. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Can Germany’s Grand Coalition survive Merkel’s withdrawal?
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be handing over the CDU chair, which will have an impact on the governing parties, the CDU, the CSU and the SPD. The coalition government is shaking. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Polish expert: Article 7 is now a political matter, not a legal one
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans should keep away from the strained rule of law dialogue between Brussels and Warsaw, as long as he is running for a seat in the new Commission, says expert Sławomir Dębski. He spoke to EURACTIV.com about Poland's place in Europe, its relations with neighbours and security.
Elections in Hesse: Austria’s Conservatives see confirmation of their political course
Germany and Austria elected new parliaments a year ago. Since then, the governing parties in both countries have progressed very differently, as the regional elections in Hesse illustrated once again. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In the next seven years Central Europe will determine the future of Europe
Central Europe could become more positive to the core EU in the likely case of another major economic crisis, which would oblige them to marry the eurozone family, writes Wojciech Przybylski, who also looks at several other, more dramatic, scenarios for the region.
Romanian government asks president to sack public prosecutor
The Romanian Justice Minister on Wednesday (24 October) formally asked the president to sack public prosecutor Augustin Lazar, a strong critic of the left-wing ruling party's judicial reforms, just months after the country's top anti-graft prosecutor was also dismissed.
Juncker and Nazarbayev discuss setting up of EU-Kazakhstan Business forum
On the sidelines of the Europe-Asia ASEM summit, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed deepening bilateral cooperation, including the setting up of a future EU-Kazakhstan Business forum.
ASEM must prove its worth by managing simmering connectivity conflict
The Europe–Asia summit (ASEM) comes at the right time for European and Asian countries to develop a shared narrative and rationalize connectivity projects, write Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Wouter Zweers and Brigitte Dekker.
The Austrian view of the Bavarian election
Bavaria has voted. In neighbouring Austria, the result of this regional election is seen as providing confirmation of the political course taken in Austria after its own national elections last year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria expresses concern at UN’s global compact for migration
190 states have agreed on a global compact for migration, which should be signed in December. However, some countries including Austria, have concerns. EURACTIV Germany reports.
What’s in the new German immigration law?
Last week, the German cabinet agreed the key points for a “skilled workers immigration law” from third countries. But what are its aims and what will change? EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Hungary, Poland challenge EU’s posted workers reform in court
Hungary and Poland said on Thursday (4 October) they have gone to the European Court of Justice to challenge tighter European Union rules on the employment of workers from low-pay EU states.
Deputy mayor: A second bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu is a priority
Strahil Karapchanski, the deputy mayor of Ruse, the largest Bulgarian city on the Danube, told EURACTIV about the history, the present and his hopes for the future of cross-border regional cooperation with Romania, which he has helped to oversee.
Visegrad express railway project unveiled
Four Central European countries announced Monday (1 October) a plan to build a high-speed rail link between Budapest and Warsaw, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Rendi-Wagner wants to move Austrian social democrats to the centre
In Austria, Pamela Rendi-Wagner is the new woman leading the social democrats. But what does the largely unknown doctor stand for? EURACTIV Germany reports.
From Budapest to the Balkans, via Brussels
Macedonia is still going through a painful reconstruction as a society. But if we really believe that the Western Balkans region belongs in Europe, it is time to insist on respecting European values, writes Ivana Jordanovska.