Politics
The Brief – The Pinocchio test
There is a lot of hype about fake news coming from Russia. In one way or another, the EU is getting organised to deal with that. But there is another type of fake news – home-made inside the EU, which...
US to appoint permanent Privacy Shield Ombudsperson, as EU pressure tells
The Trump Administration plans to nominate a permanent Ombudsperson for the EU’s data protection agreement with the US, the White House said last week (18 January). The announcement comes after months of pressure on the issue from the EU.
Romanian EU Presidency to push Western Balkans case, minister says
Romania's EU presidency will push to improve the prospect of membership talks for Western Balkan nations of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania, but only after the European elections in May, the country's European affairs minister told EURACTIV in an interview.
EU prepares compensation for fishermen hit by no deal Brexit
EU fishermen will be eligible for compensation if the UK blocks access to its fishing waters in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, the European Commission confirmed on Wednesday (23 January).
EU elections: Polish opposition prepares for battle
Opinion polls since Poland's local and regional elections in October and November 2018 have consistently put the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) in the lead with between 30% and 40%, depending on methodology. The largest opposition party, the Civic Platform (PO), led by Grzegorz Schetyna, is at 22%.
Barnier insists current Brexit deal is the ‘only one possible’
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has reflected on what can and what cannot be negotiated between the EU and the United Kingdom, with only 65 days until the scheduled severance date. EURACTIV France reports.
EU urges crackdown on ‘golden visas and passports’
The European Union urged member countries on Wednesday (23 January) to crack down on schemes granting "golden visas and passports" to foreign investors, warning they can bring corruption and money laundering in their wake.
Ansip uncovered: Commission Vice-President on disinformation, Huawei, copyright
EURACTIV's Digital Editor, Samuel Stolton, sat down with Vice-President of the European Commission, Andrus Ansip, to speak about his recent decision to stand as an MEP, disinformation, 'those' Huawei comments and the difficulties with the copyright directive.
P&O to change flag of UK ships to Cyprus ahead of Brexit
British ferry and shipping freight operator P&O will shift the registration of its UK vessels to Cyprus ahead of Britain’s departure from the European Union, in part to keep its tax arrangements in the bloc, the company said on Tuesday...
Hard Brexit would threaten Scotch whisky export growth, say producers
Leaving the EU in March without a deal would pose risks to Scotch whisky’s current healthy rates of export growth, the Scotch Whisky Association said on Tuesday (22 January).
Brexit backer Dyson moves vacuum giant’s HQ to Singapore
James Dyson, the billionaire Brexit supporter who revolutionised vacuum cleaners with his bagless technology, is moving his head office to Singapore from Britain to be closer to his company's fastest-growing markets.
Polish state company makes eyes to newspaper group Ruch
State-run oil firm PKN Orlen has offered liquidity to newspaper distributor Ruch ahead of a possible plan to take over the company, two sources familiar with the matter said.Editor's picks
For oligarchs or Mafiosi, obtaining a Bulgarian passport is easy and cheap
The case of the Russian oligarch Sergei Adoniev is a good example for the obscure ways Bulgarian citizenship is being granted to paying clients. Free Europe Bulgaria broke the story on Tuesday (22 January) a day before the EU Commission will issue a warning against “golden passports” schemes.
Treaty of Aachen: ‘France and Germany have to show responsibility’
More than half a century after the Élysée Treaty was signed, France and Germany are renewing their alliance. Both countries want to cooperate closely economically, culturally and in terms of foreign policy. But can a treaty bridge existing differences of opinion? EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief – Opting out of opt-outs
Hardships are almost always easier to bear when there’s a “we’re all in the same boat” philosophy at work. But the EU struggles with that mantra and now its lawmakers want to bolt the stable door.
Five hidden virtues of the Treaty of Aachen
The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle contains discrete but crucial innovations in the areas of defence and diplomacy. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission warns Romania against amnesty plans for corrupt officials
The European Commission warned Romania on Tuesday (22 January) against passing a decree that would provide an easy legal tool to overturn corruption convictions for politicians, including the strongman Liviu Dragnea, leader of the ruling PSD party.
Brexit or not, Britain must stay on the EU’s security team
Make no mistake: Brexit will damage our security. It will weaken the UK more, but it will weaken the EU too, writes Matthieu Borsboom.
EU sees crime risks from Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria ‘golden passport’ schemes
The European Commission will warn that schemes in EU states to sell citizenship or residence to wealthy individuals could help foreign organised crime groups infiltrate the bloc and increase the risk of money laundering, corruption and tax evasion.
France summons Italian envoy over Di Maio Africa comments
France has summoned Italy's ambassador to protest against comments by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, who accused Paris of continuing to colonise Africa and causing people to migrate from the continent, a government source told AFP.
May tries to tweak defeated Brexit plan, refuses to rule out no-deal
British Prime Minister Theresa May sought to break the parliamentary deadlock over Brexit on Monday (21 January) by proposing to seek further concessions from the European Union on a plan to prevent customs checks on the Irish border.
Has the EU delivered on economy and growth?
The European elections will take place in just over four months. Economy and growth will play an important role in deciding who will sit in the new European Parliament.
France and Germany endorse a disenchanted vision of their relationship in new treaty
The treaty that France and Germany will sign on Tuesday (22 January) stems from Macron’s pro-European vigour. The text is a pragmatic one, promoting the economy and defence rather than politics but some major differences remain. EURACTIV France reports.