Justice & Home Affairs
Polish rule of law dispute comes to a head
The EU will assess on Monday (25 September) if there is backing for unprecedented sanctions against Poland's rightwing government over fears its court reforms threaten the rule of law.
Trans-Europe Express: Germany’s tolerance deficit
Asked to explain the AfD’s surge in the polls, Merkel offered a strictly economic analysis. The problem was that she was wrong.
European Muslims feel part of Europe but when will European society reciprocate?
New data released this week show that Muslims in Europe face discrimination in all areas of life. We need to start shifting our perspective and promote inclusive narratives and practices with regard to Muslims' presence in Europe. Too often, they are seen as a ‘problem to manage’, writes Julie Pascoët.
Armed group ‘seeks legitimacy’ with Tripoli migrant deal
A powerful armed group, known for smuggling people from Libya, is seeking legitimacy and state security jobs from the Tripoli government in exchange for stopping migrant boats from leaving the coast of Sabratha for Italy, a senior group member said.
Polish judges call for solution without EU sanctions
Reunited in Paris, Polish judges opposing the justice reforms started by Warsaw ask for a solution to the crisis without Europe’s intervention. EURACTIV France reports.
May, Macron, Gentiloni push for quick removal of extremist online content
Leaders of France, Italy and the United Kingdom urged social media companies on Wednesday to more swiftly remove "terrorist content" from the internet, with the aim of stopping it from being uploaded in the first place.
Hungary set for another ‘national consultation’ targeting Soros
Hungary is set to launch another "national consultation" about US financier and philanthropist George Soros, the government said on Tuesday (19 September), paving the way for fresh attacks on the man portrayed as the public enemy before next year's elections.
At UN, Erdogan demands Iraqi Kurds call off referendum, warns of ‘consequences’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday (19 September) demanded that Iraqi Kurds call off a referendum on independence, hinting at consequences if they go ahead.
Migration and Europe: The view from Turkey
European governments seem to be treating Turkey like a game on a football pitch, pushing the ball of inclusion around, but never really having the intention of allowing it to become an equal player on their field, writes Egemen Bağış.
Catalonia: Vote and let vote
On 11 September, a crowd of one million people gathered again in the streets of Barcelona, calling for independence for Catalonia. And once again it was all conducted in a peaceful and civil manner, writes Jordi Solé, an MEP from Catalonia who supports the planned independence referendum.
Britain wants post-Brexit security treaty with EU
Britain called yesterday (18 September) for a new security treaty with the European Union after Brexit to try and prevent terror attacks, days after a bomb exploded on a London Underground train.
‘Golden visas’ candidates should be thoroughly screened
The EU is bribing Libya to prevent desperate young men and women reaching the safety of our shores, while member states open wide their doors to corrupt foreign politicians who can buy ‘golden visas’, writes Ana Gomes.
Desperate Europe-bound migrants turn to capricious Black Sea
While the arrival of exhausted migrants may be common on Mediterranean shores, it's a rare sight on the Black Sea coastline. But a string of recent arrivals from Turkey suggests it may be emerging as part of a new 'Romanian route' to western Europe.
Andrew Geddes: Shifting attitudes to migration starts with trusted political leaders
Ahead of the launch of the Observatory of Public Attitudes to migration, its director Andrew Geddes tells EURACTIV that a better understanding of attitudes can help craft informed policy debates and shift public attitudes on migration.
Green groups say Greece granting illegal permits to polluting plants
Environmental activists have accused Greece of violating an international convention by directly granting permits to its national energy company and making it impossible for anyone to launch a legal challenge against them.
Austria’s ‘Wunderwuzzi’ on course for election win at just 31
Tall, tanned and only 31, Austria's rising political star Sebastian Kurz oozed confidence as he strode to blaring pop music into Graz's main square -- seemingly with good reason.
Leak: ‘Temporary’ internal Schengen border checks could last four years
The European Union's executive offered initial backing yesterday (14 September) to a Franco-German proposal to allow more permanent border checks within the bloc's Schengen free-travel zone.
EU faces legal ‘turf war’ on controversial religious freedom cases
Freedom to live by the values of religious faith is protected in the EU treaties under Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. But it remains a legal grey area across the EU.
Czech interior minister: ‘Nobody has to call us for solidarity’
The Czech Republic has not relocated a refugee for more than a year and remains in breach of its legal obligations. The Czech position remains the same despite the ruling of the Court of Justice supporting the Commission's migrant relocation policy. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Jail terms for French carbon trading scammers
A top fraudster behind a tax scam in France using EU carbon emission rights was sentenced to nine years in prison Wednesday (13 September) as authorities press ahead with prosecutions over the €1.6 billion scandal.
Juncker waves ‘credible EU prospects’ at Balkans, but no fast membership
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker stayed true to form on the EU's enlargement prospects in his annual address on Wednesday (13 September), calling for a "credible enlargement perspective" for the Western Balkans while ruling out any fast track to membership.
State of the Union: Juncker snubs Poland, overwhelms Romania, Bulgaria
Pro-European EU members Bulgaria and Romania were overwhelmed with attention in Commission President’s Jean-Claude Juncker State of the Union speech today (13 September). In contrast, Poland, l‘enfant terrible of the EU, was not mentioned a single time.
Mogherini: ‘Illegal migration is a new form of slavery’
During a debate at the European Parliament on Tuesday (12 September), EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that illegal immigration managed by mafias is "a new form of slavery". EURACTIV Spain reports.
Report: EU capacity to promote ‘values’ in the developing world declining
To say the EU’s ability to promote values through external action is declining may be an understatement. This time the observation is made in a report aimed at improving and making more coherent Union diplomacy and the way the bloc's taxpayer money is spent.