Justice & Home Affairs
Borissov takes pride in crushing Bulgaria’s passport-for-bribes scam
The passports-for-bribes scam may look like an embarrassment for Bulgaria, but Prime Minister Boyko Borissov turned it around on Thursday (13 December), saying he had received compliments for the way Bulgarian law enforcement had put an end to the practice.
Belgian PM suggests Visegrad countries should be ousted from Schengen
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Friday (14 December) EU countries that show no solidarity in the management of migration open the debate about whether they have a place in the Schengen area.
Main suspect in Strasbourg attack killed in gun battle with police
The suspected gunman who killed three people at a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg was shot dead on Thursday (13 December) in a brief gun battle with police after being on the run for 48 hours, police sources said.
Chaos as Hungarian MPs pass ‘slave law’ and government-controlled court
Rare scenes of chaos gripped the Hungarian parliament Wednesday (12 December) as it passed a controversial judicial reform, as well as labour legislation that critics call a "slave law".
Europe speeds up plans for no-deal scenario as Brexit chaos grows
EU leaders will discuss late on Thursday (13 December) how to address the UK's concerns about its withdrawal agreement from the EU, but discussions on contingency plans are gathering pace as the chances of an orderly divorce continue to wane.
The Brief – The show must go on
The first reports of the Strasbourg shooting attack arrived on smartphones just as EU staff were heading to dinners and pre-Christmas parties. The European Parliament immediately triggered its emergency containment procedure and turned into a bunker, grids lowered, doors locked.
Strasbourg Shooting: 12 wounded, 3 dead, gunman killed by police
Three people have been killed and 12 wounded as a gunman opened fire in the vicinity of the Christmas Markets in the centre of Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday evening (11 December). The suspected gunman, Cherif Chekatt, was shot dead in a brief gun battle with police after an intense, two-day manhunt, police sources said.
EU counter-terrorism chief: Europe ‘may see something like Daesh 2.0’
The level of terrorist threat remains "pretty serious" in several EU countries, Gilles de Kerchove, the EU's counter-terrorism coordinator, told EURACTIV.com in an interview hours before the latest attack in Strasbourg on Tuesday night (12 December).
Poland increasingly deporting activists from COP24
Poland has already deported 14 people from Central Europe since the beginning of COP24, including two members of the Georgian delegation. Many NGOs are questioning the legality of these bans on entering Polish territory. EURACTIV France reports.
Marrakesh UN forum adopts migration pact despite withdrawals
A United Nations conference adopted a migration pact in front of leaders and representatives from over 160 countries in Morocco on Monday (10 December), despite a string of withdrawals, including several EU countries, driven by anti-immigrant populism.
The Brief – No roadmaps needed for experienced travellers
Morocco is a tree with its roots in Africa and its branches in Europe. So said the late King Hassan II of Morocco. That partly explains why hosting the UN migration summit in Marrakech, which formally adopted the UN’s contentious...
An EU Copyright law for the 21st century film and TV industry
The EU Copyright Directive, which is currently being finalised by the Council and the European Parliament, must include a principle of fair and proportionate remuneration to be fit for the 21st century film and TV industry, writes Cécile Despringre.
Bulgarian deputy PM raises obstacles for Macedonia’s EU, NATO accession
Bulgarian deputy Prime Minister Krassimir Karakachanov stated on Saturday (8 December) that he would not let Macedonia join the EU and NATO, reacting to recent statements by the Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev about the Macedonian language that have also infuriated Athens.
Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday (9 December) as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the UN migration compact.
Vlaams Belang hosts Steve Bannon, Marine Le Pen in Flemish parliament
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Steve Bannon, a former advisor to US President Donald Trump, denounced the UN migration compact at an event hosted by Vlaams Belang in the Flemish parliament in Brussels on Saturday (8 December).
Why the hysterical reaction to the UN migration and refugee compacts matters
Right-wing leaders are guilty of an hysterical reaction to the UN migration compact, writes Udo Bullman MEP.
Orbán exempts pro-government behemoth media group from scrutiny
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has exempted a mammoth pro-government media group from scrutiny by the national competition watchdog, according to a decree published late on Wednesday (5 December).
Host migrants or pay, France and Germany propose
European Union governments that refuse to host refugees could instead pay to be excused from the bloc's system of sharing out migrants, France and Germany proposed on Thursday (6 December) as they sought to end a long-running EU feud over migration.
Belgian PM to go to Marrakesh migration forum ‘in personal capacity’
To avoid a major crisis in the coalition government, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel announced on Thursday (6 December) that he will go "in personal capacity" to the intergovernmental conference in Marrakesh, focused on the Global Compact on migration.
Bulgarian socialist leader snubs PES forum in Lisbon
Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), announced on Thursday (6 December) she would not attend the Party of European Socialists congress in Lisbon, citing her ideological differences with the PES president, compatriot Sergei Stanishev.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70
In 1948, with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, world leaders launched the human rights project rooted in the inherent dignity of every person.
Dozens of mafia suspects held in international sting
Police arrested dozens of suspected mobsters in Europe and South America on Wednesday (5 December) in a huge international swoop targeting Italy's notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia clan, officials said.
Slovak foreign minister’s resignation over Migration Pact puzzles political scene
Slovak President Andrej Kiska is taking “time to think” about Foreign Affairs Minister Lajčák's resignation. The long-serving pro-European career diplomat, Lajčák said he was stepping down after the Parliament’s refusal of the UN migration compact last week. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
E-Evidence: A threat to people’s fundamental rights?
EU justice ministers are set to approve a regulation this Friday (7 December) that will require EU-based tech companies to turn over electronic evidence within hours of a court order. The regulation, however, could pose a threat to people’s fundamental rights.