Justice & Home Affairs
Polish president vetoes controversial court reforms
Poland's president on Monday (24 July) vetoed controversial judicial reforms that had prompted huge street protests and threats of unprecedented EU sanctions.
Weber: Turkish EU membership ‘makes no sense’
European Peoples’ Party group leader Manfred Weber told EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel that hard-hitting action must be taken against the Turkish government, while reiterating his call for EU membership talks to be scrapped.
Czech government insists migration controls should precede relocation demands
It makes no sense to share a burden over which we have no control, the Czech government said in response to the criticism of its failure to comply with EU migrant relocation quotas. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
EU sounds alarm, urges US to coordinate on Russia sanctions
The European Union sounded the alarm on Saturday (22 July) about moves in the US Congress to step up sanctions on Russia, urging Washington to keep coordinating with its G7 partners and warning of unintended consequences.
Italy hits back over migration security
Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has warned Rome will not accept either "lessons" or "threats" from neighbours on border security amid tension over Europe's migrant crisis.
Candlelight protest against changes to Poland’s judiciary
Thousands of demonstrators bearing candles marched on the Polish Supreme Court on Sunday (23 July) in protest against controversial proposed judicial reforms.
Tweets of the Week: Brexit negotiations, rule of law, and Belgian fries
Brexit talks are underway, rule of law goes astray, but Belgian fries are here to stay.
Polish parliament approves controversial Supreme Court bill
Tens of thousands of Poles protested on Thursday (20 July) against a new law that allows parliament to appoint Supreme Court judges, defying a European Union warning that the move undermines democracy and the rule of law.
No solution in sight for Brexit’s controversial issues
During a second sitting around the negotiating table, the EU and the UK stuck to their guns on the financial obligations London should pay and what court would guarantee EU citizen rights in a post-Brexit world.
Poland: Fierce reactions to Article 7 threat
On Wednesday (19 July), Frans Timmermans criticised Polish efforts to reform the judiciary, considered threatening to the separation of powers, eroding democracy and rule of law. EURACTIV Poland reports.
It’s time to face reality over terrorism in the Gulf
Federica Mogherini must push the Gulf states to clean up on terrorism and work towards an end to the standoff with Qatar, writes Stefano Stefanini.
European human rights court to rule on extremist online videos
Europe's top human rights court will rule on Thursday (19 July) whether online videos considered by a Belgian court to be Islamist hate speech should be allowed under free speech provisions.
Germany says EU aid to Turkey could be halted over arrests
Germany raised the possibility on Wednesday (19 July) of suspending European Union aid payments to Turkey after summoning Ankara's ambassador to Berlin to protest over the arrest of six human rights activists including a German citizen.
Visegrad leaders say EU must show more support for Israel
The EU should better appreciate Israel’s key role in Middle Eastern stability, leaders of the Visegrad Four nations said yesterday (19 July) in a joint attack with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Brussels’ current policy towards the Jewish state.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Slovakia threatens unilateral action over food quality crisis
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has set an ultimatum for the European Commission to take action over lower quality food products being sold in Eastern member states. EURACTIV.sk reports.
Timmermans: ‘Journalists should not be intimidated at doing their jobs’
Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans called on Wednesday (19 July) for an end to the intimidation of journalists who are doing their job and asking critical questions. "I call on everyone to stop already the intimidation of journalists," he said.
Timmermans dangles Article 7, makes appeal to the Poles
The Commission is likely to call for the triggering of Article 7 next Wednesday (26 July) with respect to Poland, often referred to as “the nuclear option” to punish an EU member state, it emerged following the weekly meeting of the EU executive today (19 July).
Jean-Marie Le Pen faces trial for ‘oven’ swipe at Jewish singer
The co-founder of France's far-right National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen, faces trial for inciting racial hatred over a swipe at a Jewish singer that was seen as anti-Semitic, judicial sources said Tuesday (18 July).
EU court strikes small blow for transparency
The European Court of Justice on Tuesday (18 July) struck a blow for transparency by throwing out an appeal by the European Commission in a case related to public access to documents. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Polish parliament debates controversial Supreme Court reform bill
Polish lawmakers have started debating a controversial bill on Supreme Court reforms, which opposition parties, the Polish Ombudsman and most legal experts say breaches the Polish constitution and may curb the independence of the judiciary.
Italy may issue temporary visas for migrants, in “tug of war” with EU
Italy is considering issuing temporary visas that would allow migrants to travel around the European Union, in a move intended to pressure its EU neighbours to do more to help ease the migration crisis.
EU curbs rubber dinghy, outboard motor sales to Libya to stop migrants
The European Union yesterday (17 July) adopted limits on the export of inflatable boats and outboard motors to Libya in a bid to make it harder for smugglers to send migrants to Europe.
Bolivia chases Schengen visa exemption
Bolivia wants visa-free travel for its citizens in the Schengen area and for Brussels to offer the same perks it does to other Latin American countries. EURACTIV Spain reports.