Elections
Parliament calls for Selmayr’s resignation in landslide vote
The European Parliament yesterday (13 December) adopted a resolution, with a majority of 71%, that calls for the resignation of Martin Selmayr, the former right-hand man of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker whose rushed promotion earlier this year was criticised as "a coup-like action".
Spanish PM hardens Catalonia stance with eye on election
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday (12 December) he would stand firm against what he called "inflammatory" Catalan separatist rhetoric, hardening his stance towards the region and upping the stakes in a broader political game.
Polish PM wins confidence vote ahead of 2019 election
Theresa May will not be the only Prime Minister coming to the two-day summit starting on Thursday (13 December) after having won a confidence vote the previous day.
Chaos as Hungarian MPs pass ‘slave law’ and government-controlled court
Rare scenes of chaos gripped the Hungarian parliament Wednesday (12 December) as it passed a controversial judicial reform, as well as labour legislation that critics call a "slave law".
As finances improve, Greece scraps pension cuts
Greece's parliament on Tuesday (11 December) voted to scrap plans to cut state pensions, in a motion led by the left-led governing coalition hoping to shore up its flagging support ahead of a general election next year.
Macron announces financial concessions in bid to end ‘yellow vest’ revolt
Embattled French President Emmanuel Macron Monday (10 December) announced a series of financial measures seeking to defuse the "yellow vest" revolt that has triggered violent protests in cities across the country.
Salvini hails six months in power, wants to personally negotiate with EU
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini spoke to thousands of supporters in a packed square in Rome on Saturday (8 December) as his surging League party celebrates six months in power. EURACTIV reports from Rome.
Bulgarian deputy PM raises obstacles for Macedonia’s EU, NATO accession
Bulgarian deputy Prime Minister Krassimir Karakachanov stated on Saturday (8 December) that he would not let Macedonia join the EU and NATO, reacting to recent statements by the Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev about the Macedonian language that have also infuriated Athens.
Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday (9 December) as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the UN migration compact.
Vlaams Belang hosts Steve Bannon, Marine Le Pen in Flemish parliament
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Steve Bannon, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, denounced the UN migration compact at an event hosted by Vlaams Belang in the Flemish parliament in Brussels on Saturday (8 December).
With eyes on future Chancellorship, CDU elects Kramp-Karrenbauer as new chair
Germany's ruling CDU chose Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as its new chairperson to replace Angela Merkel on Friday (7 December), in a move that raised some doubts about which path the country's biggest party aims to take to stave off challenges from the left and the right. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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).
Belgian PM to go to Marrakesh migration forum ‘in personal capacity’
To avoid a major crisis in the coalition government, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announced on Thursday (6 December) that he will go "in personal capacity" to the intergovernmental conference in Marrakesh, focused on the Global Compact on migration.
Bulgarian socialist leader snubs PES forum in Lisbon
Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), announced on Thursday (6 December) she would not attend the Party of European Socialists congress in Lisbon, citing her ideological differences with the PES president, compatriot Sergei Stanishev.
Romania in political mayhem three weeks before assuming EU presidency
In an almost surreal sequence of events, the Romanian government paid a visit to the European Commission on Wednesday (5 December) to discuss the country’s upcoming EU presidency, while the opposition in Bucharest mobilised to oust the ruling coalition.
Global Migration Pact puts Belgian ruling coalition in jeopardy
The future of Belgium’s coalition government has come under threat after Prime Minister Charles Michel said he would sign the UN Global Migration Compact in Marrakesh on 10 December, despite opposition from his coalition partner, the Flemish right-wing N-VA party.
Macron makes U-turn on fuel-tax increases in face of ‘yellow vest’ protests
France's prime minister on Tuesday (4 December) suspended planned increases to fuel taxes for at least six months in response to weeks of sometimes violent protests, the first major U-turn by President Emmanuel Macron's administration in 18 months in office.
CDU elections smack of matricide
A knife-edge vote Friday (7 December) will determine Angela Merkel's successor as head of her party after 18 years at the helm, with the German chancellor's own political fate and legacy on the line.
PSOE warns against rise of far-right as Vox gains in Andalusia vote
Spain's ruling Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has warned of the threat posed by far-right parties after Vox took 12 parliamentary seats in regional elections on Sunday night in Andalusia, a traditional Socialist stronghold. EURACTIV’s partner efe-epa reports.
Macron surveys damage after Paris riots, calls for talks
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (2 December) surveyed the damage from a day of riots across Paris and led a crisis meeting that ended with a call for further talks with anti-government activists who have staged two weeks of protests.
Billionaire Czech PM faces more legal trouble over use of EU funds
Billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš faced renewed pressure over his business dealings on Saturday (1 December) after an EU legal document said he has a conflict of interest due to links to agribusiness companies that received European funds.
Hungary persists in row with Soros-founded university
Just days from a deadline to settle a legal dispute with a university founded by US billionaire George Soros, Hungary's foreign minister indicated Wednesday (28 November) his government will not back down.
Macron to face domestic questions at EU’s Brexit summit
French President Emmanuel Macron will undoubtedly need to answer a number of domestic questions at the EU summit in Brussels on Sunday (25 November), expected to endorse the Brexit deal.