Elections
Poland avoids new EU lawsuit in extremis
First Vice President Frans Timmermans on Wednesday (19 September) was expected to ask the College of Commissioners to refer the Polish Supreme Court law to the EU’s top court, the European Court of Justice.
Hungary’s foreign minister lashes at UN rights experts for ‘spreading lies’
Hungary's foreign minister lashed out at what he called "biased, pro-migration" UN human rights experts on Wednesday (19 September), accusing them of spreading lies about his country and saying Budapest had the right to keep out illegal migrants.
Romania’s strongman urged to resign with ruling party in free fall
Three former allies of the leader of Romania’s ruling Social Democrats called on him to resign on Wednesday, saying his criminal convictions have become the party’s largest vulnerability ahead of elections in 2019 and 2020.
Bulgarian government sides with Orban against Article 7
The Bulgarian government decided today (19 September) to take the side of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban against the possible Article 7 procedure requested by the European Parliament.
Hungary media sale fuels new press freedom fears
The latest shake-up in Hungarian media since Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's election win in April sparked fresh fears Tuesday (18 September) about increasing government control over the sector.
Austrian ex-chancellor Kern to run for centre-left Spitzenkandidat
As expected, opposition leader Christian Kern said yesterday (18 September) he would run as top candidate for the Austrian Social Democrats in the European Parliament elections next year, aiming to help build a strong counterweight to growing nationalist forces.
Slovak authorities identify possible witness in journalist’s murder
Slovak authorities have identified a possible witness in the murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, whose killing last February led mass protests that forced the government to resign, a state prosecutor said on Monday (17 September).
‘Sad day’ as Poland banned from EU judicial body
Poland was banned Monday (17 September) from the EU body representing the member states' judicial institutions over its perceived lack of independence after controversial government reforms.
US scolds Russia for meddling in Macedonia name deal referendum
US defence secretary Jim Mattis scolded the Kremlin on Monday (17 September) amid concerns that Russia is funding groups to influence the upcoming crucial vote on Macedonia’s name change, which should open the door to NATO and EU membership.
Sefcovic officially enters the Spitzenkandidaten battle
Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič announced officially on Monday (17 September) his candidacy to be the leading candidate of his social-democrat political group in the campaign for the 2019 European elections.
Italy’s Di Maio threatens to punish unfriendly newspapers
Luigi Di Maio, a key figure in Italy's populist government, has taken aim at the country's newspapers, accusing them of "polluting the debate" and threatening to pull advertising by state-owned companies.
Luxembourg FM sparks Italy ire with ‘fascist’ jibe
Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn drew the ire of Italy's Matteo Salvini Sunday (16 Septembre) after accusing the far-right interior minister of using "fascist" methods, in a worsening spat over immigration between the two men.
France’s Le Pen urges show of nationalist force in European elections
France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged Europe's populist parties to unite against a liberal establishment in next year's European elections, as she made a combative return to the spotlight after her bruising election defeat last year.
Romanian magistrates rally to support rule of law
Hundreds of Romanian magistrates held a silent protest in support of an independent judiciary in capital Bucharest on Sunday (16 September) after a slew of legal changes by the ruling Social Democrats in one of the European Union's most corrupt states.
MEPs put pressure on Commission to take position on Czech PM fraud case
MEPs have urged the European Commission to investigate Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš for possible conflicts of interest involving EU funds, after being persuaded by the Czech branch of Transparency International and the Czech Pirate Party.
Amnesty calls upon Romania to stop the ‘traditional family’ referendum
Amnesty International said on Thursday (13 September) that it will try to prevent Romania's planned referendum aimed at changing the definition of "family" for this will "breach international human rights standards" and make it impossible to legalise same-sex unions.
Macron’s party neck-and-neck with far-right in 2019 EU election opinion poll
French President Emmanuel Macron's centrist LREM party is neck-and-neck with the far-right Rassemblement National, formerly the National Front, for the May 2019 European Parliament elections, according to poll results published on Thursday (13 September).
Salvini slams Moscovici after Mussolini jibe
The EU's top economic official said on Thursday (13 September) he feared "little Mussolinis" might be emerging in Europe, drawing a furious response from Italy's far-right interior minister who accused him of insulting his country and Italians.
Catalan separatists pack Barcelona to demand split from Spain
Around one million people filled central Barcelona on Tuesday to celebrate Catalonia's commemorative day and boost a bid for independence which has left deep divisions almost a year after it brought Spain to a constitutional crisis.
Orbán divides EPP ahead of crucial European Parliament vote
The European Parliament held a highly incendiary debate about Hungary on Tuesday (11 September), ahead of a vote on whether to trigger Article 7 against the country, exposing serious internal divisions in the European Peoples’ Party, which includes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party.
Judging Juncker: From first speech to last
Before Jean-Claude Juncker's final State of the Union address to this European Parliament on Wednesday (12 September), EURACTIV takes a look at his first speech from 2015 to see how the Commission president has done over the last three years.
Sweden faces political impasse after far-right election gains
Sweden faces a political impasse after its mainstream centre-left and centre-right blocs virtually tied in an election on Sunday (9 September), while the far-right - which neither wants to deal with - made gains on a hardline anti-immigration platform.
Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats lead election, far right make gains
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven's Social Democrats remained the biggest party in Sunday's (9 September) general election, as the anti-immigrant far right made gains and vowed to exert "real influence" in politics.