Elections
Macron, Merkel: EU treaty change is not taboo
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at a joint presser after the end of the EU summit on Friday (23 June), said that treaty change should not be an obstacle to carrying out important reforms.
Poland says primeval forest should not be UNESCO natural heritage site
Polish Environment Minister Jan Szyszko, whom green activists have criticised for allowing large-scale logging in the ancient Bialowieza forest, called on Wednesday (21 June) for the woodland to be stripped of UNESCO's natural heritage status, banning human intervention.
Macron loses his three most Europhile ministers
Three of Emmanuel Macron’s ministers have resigned to protect the government from a potential scandal over the employment of assistants in the European Parliament. The former ALDE group MEPs anchored Macron’s government firmly on the European stage. EURATIV France reports.
Macron prepares for first EU summit as a free political agent
Right, left or centre? In preparation for his first EU summit as president of France, Emmanuel Macron has chosen not to throw his lot in with any political family. He has his own strategy and expectations are high all round. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron shows the ‘Juncker dilemma’ does not exist
Europe needs serious reform if it is to avoid being turned into a mere museum for rich Chinese tourists. But it is clearly possible to be both European and succeed in the global economy, writes MEP Gunnar Hökmark.
Macron’s Defence Minister, Syvie Goulard, resigns
France’s Defence Minister Sylvie Goulard resigned on Tuesday (20 June). The former MEP wanted to demonstrate her willingness to cooperate with an investigation into her party’s employment of assistants in the European Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Fractured French Socialists seek new identity after election disaster
After the Socialist Party's dismal showing in the first round of France's parliamentary election, an advert appeared on a property website offering the HQ of the party for sale "due to poor election results".
Macron marches to clear majority in French parliament
French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party swept to a large majority in parliamentary elections on Sunday (18 June), although it fell short of a predicted landslide.
Trans-Europe Express: 5 Star fails on immigration
It was a wipeout. Failing to win a single contest in 1,004 local elections in Italy on Sunday (11 June), Beppe Grillo’s 5 Star Movement was quickly assigned to the list of declining populist parties that began with Geert Wilders’ defeat in March’s Dutch poll.
Since Brexit vote, Europeans warm again to EU
Europeans think much better of the EU now than they did a year ago when Britons dealt the Union a heavy blow by voting to leave, a survey showed yesterday (15 June).
Serbia names gay woman as premier in Balkan first
Serbia's president yesterday (15 June) named an openly gay woman as the next prime minister, a milestone move for the deeply conservative country and the wider Balkan region.
Could proportional representation work for France?
France is mulling the introduction of proportional representation for its next legislative election. It could take inspiration from its European neighbours, all of which – bar the United Kingdom – use a version of PR. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
European Commission offers ‘open arms’ for British return
European Commission deputy chief Frans Timmermans said Thursday (15 June) that he would welcome Britain back into the EU "with open arms" if it reconsidered its decision to quit the bloc.
Whose court is the Brexit ball really in?
One week on from the United Kingdom General Election, the positions of the two sides of the Brexit negotiating table could not be more different, writes Tom Parker.
UK party leader quits after election defeat ‘to remain faithful to Christ’
The leader of Britain’s most pro-EU party, the Liberal Democrats, resigned last night (14 June), saying it was “impossible” to be both a committed Christian and a frontline politician in 2017.
Germany voices ‘great concern’ over Hungarian NGO law
Germany voiced "great concern" yesterday (14 June) over Hungary's crackdown on foreign-backed civil society groups approved by parliament the previous day. In the meantime the Commission said it will “carefully analyse it”.
Romania in turmoil as ruling left drops support for its own premier
Romania's ruling left-wing party withdrew its support for Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu yesterday (14 June), a move likely to bring down his government, which has only been in power since January.
Polish PM under fire for using Auschwitz to make Poles fear refugees
Poland's prime minister came under heavy fire yesterday (14 June) for appearing to defend her right-wing government's anti-migrant policy during a memorial service at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German death camp.
Leo Varadkar, gay son of Indian migrant, to be next Irish taoiseach
Leo Varadkar was elected Irish prime mnister yesterday (14 June), making the 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant the first gay premier of the once-staunchly Catholic country and the youngest person to hold the office.
France set to enter word top ten for parliamentary gender balance
Currently 63rd in the global ranking, France could rise to second place in Europe for gender balance in parliament after the second round of the legislative election this Sunday (18 June). The first-round collapse of the traditional parties has cleared unprecedented space for female candidates. EURACTIV France reports.
Finnish government survives as new populist faction emerges
Finland's government avoided collapse yesterday (13 June) after Prime Minister Juha Sipila said his coalition could carry on with a new populist faction which emerged when an anti-immigration party split in two.
Macron tells May ‘door always open’ for UK to stay in EU
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (13 June) the door was "always open" for Britain to remain in the EU despite Prime Minister Theresa May saying Brexit talks would begin next week.
Pep Guardiola jumps on Catalonia independence bandwagon
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola yesterday (11 June) joined thousands of protesters in Barcelona to call for independence for the Spanish region of Catalonia.
Embattled May brings back foes as she unveils new cabinet
Prime Minister Theresa May reappointed most of her ministers on Sunday but brought a Brexit campaigner and party rival into government to try to unite her Conservatives after a disastrous election sapped her authority, days before Brexit talks begin.