Future EU
Greek minister optimistic Macedonia name deal will be approved
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Thursday (20 September) hailed an agreement with Macedonia on changing its name and opening the way for it to join NATO and the European Union.
EU targets October Brexit agreement, ready for ‘no deal’
European Union leaders will push for a Brexit deal next month but warned Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday (20 September) that if she will not give ground on trade and the Irish border by November they are ready to cope with Britain crashing out.
Oettinger names and shames member states on long-term EU budget cuts
Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Finland…. The EU's Budget Commissioner Günter Oettinger did not hesitate to point the finger at countries reluctant to increase their contributions to the EU's next seven-year budget during a speech on Wednesday (19 September).
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.
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.
Visegrad’s place in the next EU Budget
Vladislava Gubalova argues that Visegrad countries should not be considered as having caught up with older EU members, while taking aim at Sofia for attracting too much financing.
EESC president: MFF proposal is ‘not ambitious enough’
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will discuss on Wednesday (19 September) the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) with budget commissioner Günter Oettinger. EESC President Luca Jahier told EURACTIV.com that the long-term budget for 2021-2027 should be increased to 1.3% of EU’s GDP.
Clouds are gathering over the Salzburg summit
Brexit, internal security and immigration: the items on the agenda of the informal European Council summit in Salzburg on Thursday (20 September) could lead to lively discussions. EURACTIV France reports.
‘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.
Czech, Slovak premiers bristle at beefing up of Frontex
The European Union should steer funds to individual member countries to help them guard their own borders against illegal migration, rather than emphasise funding for Frontex, the common EU border force, the Czech and Slovak premiers said on Monday (17 September).
Orban vows to oppose EU border-guard plan at Salzburg summit
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday (17 September) vowed to oppose an EU plan aimed at bolstering the bloc's external borders, accusing Brussels of wanting to take away Hungary's control of its own frontiers.
Orban’s manifesto for a new illiberal Europe
Helmut Kohl was a major historic figure, the Chancellor who united Germany and set the foundations of the European Union as we know it: with the Schengen Area, freedom of movement and joint currency, the euro. However, Kohl had one flaw: he did not choose well his protégés. EURACTIV Croatia reports.
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.
Aufstehen: ‘We don’t want a German Europe, we want a European Germany’
Two weeks passed since the German leftist movement “Aufstehen” was officially formed – and according to their own account, it already has more than 140,000 supporters. EURACTIV Germany spoke to Fabio De Masi, deputy chairman of Die Linke in the German Bundestag about the European ambitions of the movement.
Juncker’s dismal speech
At a time when Europe needs something to inspire the 2018 State of the Union speech disappointed, writes Dick Roche.
EU socialists scold EPP over Macedonian name deal, disregard own black sheep member
The Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) continue to criticise the negative stance of center-right opposition parties in Athens and Skopje towards the landmark name deal but also turn a blind eye to their member party in Greece, which disapproves of it.
EPP unsure about retaining or expelling Orbán’s party
The European Parliament's vote to censure Hungary presents the assembly's dominant centre-right bloc with a dilemma over whether to retain its populist Hungarian allies or expel them months before elections.
French right-wing fragmented over rule of law in Hungary
The French delegation of the EPP in the European Parliament was totally divided during a vote on triggering Article 7 against Hungary. EURACTIV France reports.
Poland worried by EU vote to censure Hungary
Poland on Wednesday (12 September) said it was very worried by the European Parliament's rare decision to launch a procedure against Hungary for posing a "systemic threat" to the EU's founding values.
MEPs trigger Article 7 against Hungary after evasive Juncker speech
MEPs voted en masse to trigger Article 7 proceedings against Hungary on Wednesday (12 September), although Jean-Claude Juncker's early morning Strasbourg speech failed to send much of a clear signal against Budapest's alleged rule of law violations.