Spain ‘mastergate’ university faces new degree giveaway claims

A Spanish university already accused of gifting degrees to high-profile politicians is also being probed for allegedly giving away diplomas to hundreds of Italian nationals, a court spokesman said Thursday (20 September). A court in Madrid is investigating whether around...

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.

Belgian inquest implicates UK in phone spying

A confidential report by Belgian investigators confirms that British intelligence services hacked state-owned Belgian telecom giant Belgacom on behalf of Washington, it was revealed on Thursday (20 September).

‘Channel of dirt’: Jourová describes her Facebook experience

Facebook came in for heavy criticism on Thursday (20 September), as EU justice chief Věra Jourová shone a light on her own Facebook experience as well as the issue of the tech giant's non-compliance with EU consumer rules.

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.

Germany: Maaßen reshuffled from one post to another

Germany’s controversial constitutional protection chief Hans-Georg Maaßen may have had to leave his current post but he has already been promoted to state secretary in the German Ministry of the Interior. EURACTIV Germany's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Morocco plays cat and mouse with Africans headed to Europe

African emigrants are defying a campaign by Morocco to keep them away from land and sea crossings to Spain, which has become the main entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees following crackdowns elsewhere.

Greece vows to improve conditions on island hotspots

Greece's migration minister on Tuesday (18 September) pledged to improve living conditions for migrants in camps on islands in the Aegean Sea, where he said arrivals had doubled this summer.

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.

The importance of safeguarding spouse work authorisation

In the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of countries enabling work authorisation for partners and spouses of highly-skilled employees on international assignment. This positive international trend has resulted in a ‘triple-win’ for governments, employers and families, writes Helen Frew.

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.

Germany: The deep fall of Hans-Georg Maaßen

The chief of Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Hans-Georg Maaßen, will have to take his leave, in a potentially unsettling development for Germany's struggling ruling coalition. Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to let him go. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Belgrade Gay Pride participants call for law on same-sex marriage

Belgrade held its eighth Pride Parade, under the slogan Say Yes, on Sunday (16 September). It passed without incident and, according to media estimates, with fewer police officers guarding the event than in previous years. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

Polish government rejects Brussels’ objections regarding Supreme Court

The Polish government has rejected the Commission's objections to its controversial law on the Supreme Court, stating that the Commission cannot assess justice in the member states. A complaint against Poland before the EU Court of Justice could soon follow. EURACTIV Poland’s media partner “Gazeta Wyborcza” reports.

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.

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.

UK guilty of human rights abuse, ECHR finds in groundbreaking surveillance case

GCHQ, the British government's intelligence and security organisation, has breached human rights in its mass surveillance programme, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said in a landmark ruling on Thursday (13 September).

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.

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.