Politics
Back May’s Brexit deal and you get more time, EU leaders tell Westminster
EU leaders will grant the United Kingdom a possible eight-week delay to Brexit provided that the House of Commons passes the Withdrawal Agreement next week, according to conclusions agreed the European Council summit on late Thursday (21 March) night.
The Brief – Avoiding the cliff-edge
The Brexit cliff-edge is now in sight and fast approaching. Who, if anyone, is going to apply the brakes?
Romanian exporters face an artificial barrier, costs transferred to EU citizens
Visions of trucks being stuck at the border in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit should also remind people of the delays faced by Romanian companies exporting into the Schengen area, writes Stefan Radu-Oprea.
Time for truth, recognition and reconciliation for Roma in Europe
EU leaders must show that they take Roma rights and anti-Roma discrimination seriously. That means recognising their cultural identity and contribution to Europe, truth and reconciliation, argue a group of political leaders and campaigners.
How Britain’s EU party town soured on Brussels
In 1973, the sleepy English village of Ivybridge joyfully welcomed the UK joining what would go on to become the EU, with street parties and even a specially-written anthem. But 46 years later, local people are thinking about new festivities: to celebrate Brexit.
Italy’s Senate shields Salvini from trial over Diciotti case
Italy's Senate voted Wednesday (20 March) to block the trial of far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini for allegedly illegally confining migrants rescued at sea by an Italian coastguard ship last year.
New Dutch populists surge in ‘Rutte referendum’
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will lose his senate majority after upstart anti-EU populists surged in provincial elections just two days after a suspected terror attack in Utrecht.
EPP votes to suspend Hungary’s Fidesz party membership
The European People's Party (EPP) suspended Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party over alleged violations of EU rule-of-law principles on Wednesday (20 March), in a compromise solution that allowed the EPP to keep its 'bad boy' in and bolster party unity ahead of the European elections.
Tusk ups the Brexit ante: ‘No extension without Brexit endorsement’
European Council President Donald Tusk dramatically upped the Brexit stakes on Wednesday (20 March), warning that the EU will only grant Theresa May’s Brexit extension request if UK lawmakers back the Withdrawal Agreement next week.
The Brief – A Brexit dividend you didn’t expect
A cursory glance at most news outlets will leave you with a sense of dread about the upcoming EU elections. Doom is on the horizon and we should all be worried. But don’t despair, rejoice, because Europe finally matters.
Karadzic handed life sentence for Bosnia war crimes
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will spend the rest of his life in jail for the "sheer scale and systematic cruelty" of his crimes in the war that tore his country apart a quarter of a century ago, judges of the UN war crimes tribunal said on Wednesday.
Pharma industry urges EU leaders to ‘re-focus’ on patients post-Brexit
The EU pharma industry has prepared for a hard Brexit scenario but this is not enough as EU leaders need to take specific measures to ensure medical supplies after the UK departure, EU pharma chief Stefan Oschmann has said.Editor's picks
May and Juncker in tug of war over Brexit extension deadline
British Prime Minister Theresa May formally asked the EU on Wednesday (20 March) for an extension of the Brexit date until 30 June. In response, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned that Brexit needs to be completed before 23 May.
Commission urges platforms to take action on fake accounts before EU elections
Online platforms need to step up their attempts to quell the spread of fake accounts but also provide greater independent access to their content for fact checkers, as part of their wider efforts in compliance with the code of practice against disinformation, the European Commission said on Wednesday (20 March).
EXCLUSIVE-Slovenian centre-right: Cancel Orbán vote or EPP is ‘inevitably’ split
The leader of the centre-right Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) has asked the European People’s Party chief and EPP members to cancel a vote today to expel Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz from the centre-right family, saying the EPP could otherwise risk a split just before the European elections.
Salvini’s lawmaker threatens to purge an EU official, MEPs ask him to apologise
Several Italian MEPs have voiced concern and criticism after a lawmaker from Matteo Salvini’s ruling Lega party hinted at the possibility of removing an EU civil servant from his duties, after having had an argument with him on Twitter.
Europe’s democratic challenge: in search of government
Europe is about democracy. We cherish democracy in our national institutions by ensuring a healthy separation of powers, by fighting for free and fair elections, and by combining the rule of the majority with the protection of the minority, write Louis Drounau and Andrew Duff.
EU country briefing: France
France spearheaded the European Project with its proposal for a European Coal and Steel Community in 1950, and its centrality to the project remains undiminished, with the French playing a key role in the creation of the eurozone in 1999.
Brexit extension: EU members’ positions before the summit
UK Prime Minister Theresa May will write to Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday (20 March) asking for a Brexit extension beyond 29 March. The letter will arrive before the Brussels summit on Thursday and Friday. The extension, which EURACTIV highlighted...
Vestager joins EU Commission presidency race
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager will compete to be the next president of the European Commission, as Europe’s liberals are set to name the Dane among a team of lead candidates that also includes Guy Verhofstadt, Belgium's former Prime Minister.
Dutch go to provincial polls after Utrecht shooting horror
Dutch voters on Wednesday (20 March) head to provincial polls billed as a referendum on Prime Minister Mark Rutte's policies, after a campaign overshadowed by a possible terror attack on a tram.
NGO ship defies Salvini, takes migrants to Lampedusa
An Italian charity ship was escorted into the port of Lampedusa by police on Tuesday (19 March) after rescuing 49 Africans in the Mediterranean, with Interior Minister Matteo Salvini calling for the crew to be arrested.
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.