Politics
‘Bucket of cold sick’: firms scorn UK over Brexit plans
Hammered by the coronavirus pandemic, UK businesses face a double-whammy from Brexit and are furious at the government for insisting the onus lies on them to get ready for life outside the EU.
UK unveils new rules to bar entry to EU criminals
Britain said it would introduce new rules from January to bar entry to people from the European Union with a criminal record, meaning those from the bloc would be treated the same as the rest of the world.
Rule of law warriors are not promoting European values, they’re pushing a political agenda
The idea of a rule of law mechanism in the EU is hopelessly half-baked. Rule of law warriors are unable to define or measure what they mean, they are simply waging an ideological battle, argues Zoltán Kovács.
UK-EU Brexit talks restart with just weeks to seal deal
Britain and the European Union will resume fraught post-Brexit trade talks on Thursday (22 October) after seven days lost to threats and brinkmanship, and with just weeks left to salvage an agreement.
The EU in a changing Middle East: A lone bystander or positive player?
While the European Union is struggling to stay relevant with its self-proclaimed ‘geopolitical Commission’, the United States in the Middle East is at the forefront of geopolitical shifts with its visionary leadership, writes Charlie Weimers. Charlie Weimers is a Swedish member...
Coronavirus second wave prompts virtual EU summit
European Union leaders will hold a video-conference next week to discuss how to better cooperate against the COVID-19 pandemic as infections rise, European Council President Charles Michel said on Wednesday (21 October).
The Brief, powered by ECPC – When words become deeds
Europe has to break the social networks' hatred-based economic model, it has to implement efficient regulations that can dry up the revenue flows generated by the dissemination of hatred on the Internet. The savage assassination of Samuel Paty, who died for exercising his profession as a teacher, shows the extreme urgency of taking effective action. It shows words can become deeds.
Brexit waves threaten to wreck Belgian fishing
Britain's departure from the European single market will disrupt many long-standing economic relationships and could yet devastate one of the oldest – the Belgian fishing fleet's work in UK waters.
France shuts Paris mosque in crackdown after teacher’s beheading
France ordered the temporary closure of a mosque outside Paris on Tuesday (20 October), part of a crackdown on Muslims who incite hatred after the decapitation of a teacher who showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad. The Grand...
Ethnic Croats to prop new Serbian government
Serbia's new government will have a shorter term, as the next general election will be held in April 2022 at the latest, simultaneously with the presidential polls and municipal elections in Belgrade, Serbian president and leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), Aleksandar Vučić, said on Tuesday (20 October).
Irish town cuts ties with ‘LGBT-free’ Polish twin in growing culture war
The Irish town of Fermoy has cut ties with its Polish twin Nowa Deba over a motion opposing "LGBT ideology", in the latest European bid to counter Poland's increasing homophobic stance.
Viktor Orbán under fire as virus second wave bites
As the second coronavirus wave bites, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán -- who shut the borders in September -- is holding back on tougher measures such as a lockdown, despite growing criticism of his response.
The Channel Tunnel: the other Brexit border?
On 8 October 2020, the European Parliament approved legislation to ensure safe Channel Tunnel operations post-Brexit transition. In addition to COVID-19, Brexit will have far-reaching consequences for cross-Channel border connections. History highlights what is at stake.
European citizens support linking EU funds to rule of law – survey
More than three out of four Europeans think that the EU should only distribute funds to member states that implement rule of law and democratic principles, according to a new survey commissioned by the European Parliament.
German police study will focus on ‘daily work’ instead of structural racism
After public pressure and national debate, a study of German police forces is on the way. The Social Democrat's (SPD) proposal to specifically investigate racism within the German authorities will only be one of many topics, as the study will instead be focusing on the 'daily work' of officers. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Belgium to scrap COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about how a citizen's initiative to reform Finland’s abortion laws has gathered more than 50,000 signatures within a few months, Poland transforming its biggest stadium into an emergency field hospital, and so much more.
Jean-Claude Van Damme saves life of puppy in fake pet passport row
Action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme has come to the rescue of a three-month-old chihuahua, saving her from euthanasia on Monday (19 October) after a legal tussle between Norway and Bulgaria.
EU to launch legal action over Cyprus, Malta ‘golden passports’
The EU said Monday (19 October) it will begin legal action against Cyprus and Malta over their controversial "golden passport" schemes for foreign investors, which critics say have been exploited by criminals.
Brexit trade talks back on after Barnier holds out olive branch
In a significant volte-face on Monday (19 October), EU and UK trade negotiators looked set to return to the table and resume talks on a post-Brexit trade deal, only a day after both sides appeared on the brink of abandoning the effort.
Sweden readies massive military budget surge
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the likelihood of Sweden's parliament adopting a proposal that would considerably increase its defence spending levels, the Slovak government's plan to have its entire population tested for coronavirus, and so much more.
The nature of power in an illiberal system
Viktor Orbán’s illiberal state uses democracy and the rule of law as decors of a system which contains no real limitation to the exercise of power. In order to assess the situation of the rule of law in such systems, we must examine the effective functioning of institutions in place, writes Anna Donáth.
UK says door remains ‘ajar’ for post-Brexit trade deal
Britain still wants to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union despite the current deadlock, a senior government minister insisted ahead of fresh talks Monday (19 October).
Tired but defiant: 100 days of protests in Bulgaria
In a hundred days of sweeping and at times violent protests, thousands of Bulgarians have tightened the screws on the political elite -- but this, they say, is only the beginning.