Elections
Faced with anti-mafia protests, Bulgaria’s Borissov sacks three ministers
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday (15 July) asked his finance, economy and interior ministers to step down amid nationwide anti-corruption protests that have rocked the Balkan country for a week.
Tired but defiant: 100 days of protests in Bulgaria
In a hundred days of sweeping and at times violent protests, thousands of Bulgarians have tightened the screws on the political elite -- but this, they say, is only the beginning.
Support for Scottish independence at record high of 58%
Support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom has risen to a record high of 58%, according to an Ipsos Mori poll released on Wednesday (14 October).
Social Democrats win, far-right collapses in Vienna elections
The recent Vienna election was a great victory for Social Democrats while the far-right FPÖ suffered a massive crash, losing two-thirds of support. The final result will be available Tuesday evening (13 October), but coalition options are already clear. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Mr Weber, where did the European values go?
Dear Mr. Weber, an ordinary Bulgarian citizen is writing to you, professing to believe in classic European values, as also upheld by the European People's Party - EPP. My name is Momchil Daskalov. My son translated this text.
Brace for a landmark debate – not only for Bulgaria, but for the EU
On Monday (5 October), the European Parliament will discuss in plenary the Rule of Law in Bulgaria. It may look like an event important mostly for the Bulgarians, but in fact it has a lot of incidence on the EU, writes Radan Kanev
Europe is ‘screwed’ if its parliament sits only in Brussels, says Macron
Europe is "screwed" if the European Parliament ceases sitting in the French city of Strasbourg once a month and convenes only in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (29 September).
Romania’s Social Democrats lose ground in municipal vote
Romania's ruling centrist Liberals emerged as the leading party in a municipal ballot on Sunday (27 September), including in the capital, exit polls showed, bolstering their chances of forming the next government after a 6 December parliamentary election.
Poland’s ruling nationalists cement new coalition deal
Poland's ruling nationalists signed a new coalition agreement on Saturday (26 September), ending weeks of in-fighting in the three-party alliance over how it will govern over the next three years.
Swiss voters refuse immigration cuts, EU sees ‘great future’ in relationship
Swiss voters on Sunday (27 September) rejected a bid to slash immigration from the EU, leaving free movement in the heart of Europe intact, and embraced offering paid paternity leave for the first time.
Polish government coalition hanging by a thread
Poland's ruling right-wing coalition looked to be hanging by a thread on Monday (21 September), as a government spokesman said he could imagine the largest party in the grouping, Law and Justice (PiS), governing without one of its current partners.
EU pandemic survey shows Italy disdain for Brussels
Opinions on how governments handled the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic varies hugely in Europe, a survey showed Thursday (17 September), with hard-hit Italians especially disillusioned with the EU.
New rules in Bulgaria’s parliament building: Journalists cry foul
Protests in Bulgaria asking for the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev have entered their third month. Against this background the Bulgarian parliament has become a fortress in which journalists are treated as the enemy. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Romania to hold elections on 6 December, says PM
Romania is to hold parliamentary elections on 6 December, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced Thursday (3 September), with the vote set to determine whether the country turns the page on recent political instability.
Bulgaria ruling party defiant as protests turn violent
Bulgaria's ruling conservative party on Thursday (3 September) resisted calls for Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's government to resign, after two months of protests against his perceived tolerance of corruption erupted into the most violent day yet.
Shock as Slovak court acquits businessman of journalist murder
The case of a murdered investigative journalist delivered a new shock in Slovakia Thursday, as a high-profile businessman was acquitted of ordering the killing that ultimately exposed high-level political corruption and toppled the governing party.
Major political groups harbour corruption – Greens’ Freund
The major European political groups tolerate corruption and malfeasance among the member parties, says Green MEP Daniel Freund, who also analyses the weaknesses of instruments to fight the misuse of EU funds.
After two months of protests, Bulgaria is on the brink
The protest rally in Sofia on Wednesday (2 September) marked the peak of two months of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev. EURACTIV's Kalina Angelova was there and captured the mood.
Stop funding our mafia, Bulgarians tell EU Commission
'Stop funding our mafia', read banners of a protest in front of the European Commission representation in Sofia on Monday (31 August). It was the 54th day of street protests in which Bulgarians are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the country's chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev.
More migrant arrivals fuel local anger in Italy’s Lampedusa
A fishing boat carrying nearly 370 migrants landed overnight on the Italian island of Lampedusa, the country's news agencies said on Sunday (30 August), fueling anger from local officials over a recent rise in illegal arrivals.
European Parliament committee raps Bulgarian authorities over corruption
A secretive European Parliament sub-committee discussed corruption in Bulgaria on Friday (28 August) in the presence of top Bulgarian officials, after more than 50 days of protests in the EU's poorest country. A journalist who took part in the session as a speaker provided insight to EURACTIV into what appears to have been a heated discussion.
Montenegro votes with identity, economy at the fore
Montenegro's pro-West leader is fighting to extend his party's 30-year grip on the EU candidate country on Sunday (30 August) in polls dominated by identity debates and anxiety over a pandemic-hit economy.
Finland’s PM calls for shortening working hours
Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin called for cutting the current eight-hour working day in her keynote speech to her Social Democratic Party on Monday (24 August), arguing shorter hours could be offset by increased productivity.
EU trade commissioner apologises for virus breach
EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan apologised on Sunday (23 August) as he faced calls to resign for attending an Irish parliamentary golf society dinner which breached coronavirus guidelines.