Politics
Angela Merkel to take last bow on EU stage
Germany's Angela Merkel headed Thursday (24 June) into what is expected to be her last EU summit, with admiration from her fellow leaders after 16 years in power tempered by a sober sizing-up of her achievements.
Tweets of the Week: LGBTIQ divide, EUCO, Recovery Tour
Stadium lights are not political, member states stay critical, and Von der Leyen sees it all.
Portuguese FM: EU enlargement could be ‘great achievement’ for Slovenia
Portugal's foreign minister, Augusto Santos Silva, said on Thursday (24 June) that the launch of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania would be "a major achievement" of Slovenia's upcoming EU Presidency.
EU leaders confront Hungary PM over LGBTQ law
EU leaders holding a summit Thursday (24 June) attacked Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over a new law in his country banning LGBTQ content in schools, which they view as homophobic and contrary to EU values.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Rainbow EU, divided EU
Who would have thought it? With such big issues like Russia and Turkey on the EU summit agenda, not to mention the COVID-19 travel certificate, without which our holidays will be spoiled, LGBTQI+ rights would eclipse both geopolitics and our sacrosanct lifestyle?
Catalan pardons are welcome but the political conflict is not over
The release of nine Catalan pro-independence leaders is a welcome end to years of suffering. But the political battle is far from over, writes Jordi Solé i Ferrando.
Portrayal and promotion – Hungary’s LGBTQI+ law explained
Controversy over a new Hungarian law banning LGBTQI+ references for minors is set to be raised by several EU leaders during their 24-25 June summit, originally intended to focus on foreign policy issues. But what is this law, and how does it fit into the Hungarian government’s anti-LGBT agenda? EURACTIV's media partner Telex takes a closer look.
Row over Hungary’s LGBTQ law blows EU summit off course
Controversy over a new Hungarian law banning LGBTQ references in school materials is threatening to overshadow an EU summit on Thursday and Friday (24-25 June) intended to focus on foreign policy issues: confronting Russia and tricky ties with Turkey.
Catalan separatists released from prison after pardon
Nine Catalan separatists have been released from prison after their sentences for their role in a banned independence referendum in 2017 were commuted by the Spanish government. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Half of the EU countries voice ‘grave concern’ at Hungary anti-LGBTQ law
Thirteen, or less than half of the EU's 27 member states on Tuesday (22 June) voiced their "grave concern" at a new law in Hungary they said discriminates against LGBTQ people while claiming to protect children.
UEFA pulls the plug on rainbow arena in Munich
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Romania's government facing a vote of no-confidence soon, Swedish police investigating producers of faulty COVID-19 tests, and so much more.
Five years on, Brexit bedevils pandemic-hit UK
Five years on from Britain's shock decision to quit the European Union, the wounds opened by Brexit have yet to heal, and analysts say its far-reaching changes are only just beginning.
Spanish government pardons jailed Catalan separatist leaders
Spain’s socialist-led coalition government has finalised controversial pardons for nine Catalan politicians jailed for their involvement in an unauthorised referendum and declaration of independence in 2017. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
UK will not extend settlement scheme deadline for EU nationals
EU nationals living in the UK have a week until a 30 June deadline to apply for settled status, after officials confirmed that the cut-off date would not be extended.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Not so settled status
Whether or not the UK government and EU counterparts care to admit it, living abroad has become more complicated in the age of no more free movement.
Sven Giegold: ECB should start ‘digging into’ financial crime in Bulgaria
To join the Euro, Bulgaria needs to tidy up with financial crime, and the European Central Bank (ECB) should be doing its job and finally start “digging into this”, MEP Sven Giegold told EURACTIV in a telephone interview.
Spanish government to pardon jailed Catalan separatist leaders
The Spanish government is poised to issue pardons for nine Catalan politicians jailed for their involvement in the illegal and ill-fated referendum and declaration of independence in 2017, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Britain begins negotiations to join trans-Pacific trade deal
Britain will begin negotiations on Tuesday (22 June) to join a trans-Pacific trade deal that it sees as crucial to its post-Brexit pivot away from Europe and towards geographically more distant but faster-growing economies.
Turkey holds key to EU migration pact deadlock
In today's edition of the capitals find out more about the European Commission giving the green light for both Austria's and Slovakia's recovery plans and the Swedish government losing the no-confidence vote, these stories and so much more...
Slovenian FM: EU inaction in Western Balkans ‘strategically dangerous’
The EU needs to move "as soon as possible" from a wait-and-see approach to a problem-solving strategy in dealing with enlargement and the Western Balkans, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar told EURACTIV in an interview about the priorities for his country's upcoming EU Council presidency.OpinionPromoted content
Another future for Europe
‘Democracy owes its existence to Christianity'. These words were uttered by Robert Schuman, the primary founding father of the European Union, half a century ago.
Orban’s Europe vision: Dismantle EU Parliament
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Pride march in Warsaw amid the current backlash against the LGBT community, Germany's health minister warning football fans not to travel to London, and so much more.
Turkish women rally in defense of Istanbul Convention
Hundreds of women rally in Istanbul on Saturday (19 June), urging President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to reverse his decision to withdraw from a Council of Europe anti-violence treaty ahead of a formal exit on1 July.