Middle-ground politics
Belgian King expresses ‘deepest regrets’ over Congo’s colonial past
Belgium's King Philippe expressed his "deepest regrets" on Tuesday (29 June) for the harm done during the Belgian colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the first such admission for his country, after last month's death of African American George Floyd rekindled the debate in Belgium about its colonial past.
The Brief – Was darf Satire?
The times we live in, with their Trumps, Putins and Erdogans, are screaming for satire.
EPP think-tank says US should mediate in Mediterranean maritime spats
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out the latest regarding Turkstream, NATO troops in Iraq, Italy's crumbling pledge to solve the Libyan crisis by gathering the relevant actors around a table, and so much more.
Government’s handling of pension strikes threatens France’s EU credibility
The French government continues to defend its pension reform proposal initially recommended by the European executive. Although it has since been watered down, its divisiveness has led to the paralysis of the transport system for almost a month. EURACTIV France reports.
GDP is not enough to understand inequality, says UNDP chief
At the heart of recent protest movements in Europe and elsewhere is a sense that economic growth has left many people worse off, even if, in most countries, the headline GDP figures suggest that countries are much wealthier.
Pension schemes in EU show big shortfalls in stress test
A stress test of pension schemes across the European Union wiped out €270 billion or almost a quarter of investments at funds that took part, the EU's insurance and pensions watchdog said on Tuesday (17 December).
Two centuries to close the economic gender gap
Women will have to wait two centuries to have as many economic opportunities as their male colleagues, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020 published on Tuesday (17 December) warns.
Schmit to unveil EU minimum wage proposal in January
Nicolas Schmit announced on Tuesday (10 December) that he will unveil his proposal for an EU minimum wage framework in early January, following his first Council meeting as a member of the new European Commission.
Strong mobilisation against pension reform puts French government to the test
In protest at the government's pension reform proposal, French workers staged a massive strike on Thursday (5 December), which paralysed the country. With teachers and transport sector workers expected to strike again today, this will be Macron's ultimate test. EURACTIV France reports.
Women are doing better in European politics, but still not well enough
Ursula von der Leyen will be the first woman to chair the European Commission and will do it with the most gender-balanced college ever, but even though the participation of women in politics has improved in the EU, it is still not enough.
French PM eager to push for pension reform amid calls for ‘unlimited’ strikes
The French government's determination to push for pension reform does not waver in the face of mounting calls for protest by trade unions, students, teachers and the 'yellow vest' movement. EURACTIV France reports.
Pension reform helps Poland fill state coffers
Poland's government on Wednesday (6 November) approved a transfer of all state-guaranteed private pension funds to individual retirement accounts, in a move that will add 19.3 billion zloty (€4.5 billion) to state coffers strained by hefty social handouts.
EU globalisation adjustment fund should cushion Brexit consequences
On Monday (21 October), the European Parliament voted in favour of using funds from the Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in the event of a hard Brexit to help workers of the remaining EU-27 who will have lost their jobs as a result of the UK's withdrawal. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Regions call for ambitious EU budget, Cohesion policy, better cooperation
The Conference of Peripheral Maritime regions (CPMR) was set to adopt a Manifesto on the future of the EU negotiations on Friday (18 October) calling for more support to Europe's regions, an ambitious budge supporting a sustainable economic agenda and no cuts in the Cohesion policy.
One in two Germans against increased migration, study says
A growing number of Germans believe migrants drive wages down and burden the welfare system, according to a study analysing the attitude of Germans towards foreigners before and after the 2015 refugee crisis. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief – Europe’s Progressives are cats and dogs
The failure of the Spanish socialists (PSOE) and the leftists Unidas Podemos to form a government following the 28 April parliamentary election has once again exposed the shortcomings of the so-called progressive political forces in Europe. The deadlock in the...
Von der Leyen leans on gender balance in quest for Commission presidency
In her first speech before the European Parliament on Tuesday (16 July), Ursula von der Leyen made gender equality a cornerstone of her case to be appointed as the first female European Commission president. And she received support for that from across the political spectrum.
Increasing solidarity between women – a tool against insecurity in Europe
Many women in Europe still live in precarious conditions. To deal with this, solidarity between women is an essential tool, according to participants of the conference "Elles font bouger l'Europe" (Women make Europe move). EURACTIV France reports.
One third of trade unionists voted for the far-right at last EU election
The European social contract is broken and inclusive economic policies should be on the top of the next European Commission's agenda, policymakers said at the Brussels Economic Forum on Tuesday (18 June).
EU election 2019: What next for Social Europe?
In November 2017, the European Commission launched the European Pillar of Social Rights, which resulted in 25 legislative initiatives. Ahead of the EU elections this week, EURACTIV looks at what the main political parties have on offer for social Europe.
Solutions from Vienna to address Europe’s housing crisis
Apartments in Europe are becoming more and more expensive and tensions on the market are rising. A European Citizens' Initiative is now calling for a better framework to be developed at EU level to allow public investment in social and affordable housing to no longer be qualified as new debt. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Social security reform postponed until next European Parliament
Deep divisions among MEPs made it clear on Thursday (19 April) that the social security coordination directive, aimed at enforcing the rights of mobile workers, would be postponed for the next European Parliament, after May's EU elections.
Growing number of French shocked by income inequality
A new poll in France has revealed that income inequalities are among the least acceptable social factors. More than 90% of French respondents call for the minimum wage to be raised. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.