Politics
The Brief – Virus separatists
The UK government’s handling of the corona-crisis threatens to split the union of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - already weakened by Brexit - as separatism stands to enjoy a virus dividend.
The EU must stop funding illiberalism
Last week, we had the dubious pleasure of witnessing the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán team up with his Slovenian counterpart Janez Janša and the Serbian President Alexander Vučić. Their request? Asking to be “left alone”; apparently because they do not wish to be bothered by the European Union’s "cultural Marxism", writes Dacian Cioloș.
Bulgaria rocked by protest in defence of democracy
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz laying out the conditions for the EU's long-term budget and the EU Recovery Fund, Italy's government mulling to renew the coronavirus restrictions currently in place, and so much more.
Duda likely to win Polish presidential election as result still too close to call
Poland's right-wing President Andrzej Duda has probably won a second term in office in a tightly contested presidential election run-off held on Sunday (12 July), according to an official exit poll, although the results were still uncertain on Monday morning.
UK unveils €800m EU border spending plan
The UK unveiled plans on Sunday (12 July) to spend £705 million (€800m) on new infrastructure at its ports and border points to help smooth the flow of traffic after it leaves the EU single market on 31 December.
Greece pushes for sanctions against Turkey, but EU insists on dialogue
Greece's minister of foreign affairs will ask the EU on Monday (13 July) for a list of potential sanctions against Turkey in case Ankara violates Greek territory. However, EU sources said last week that dialogue should be prioritised in the face of Turkey's increasingly defiant behaviour.
The Brief, powered by BSEF – Gone with the wind
There is something fittingly telling about the way the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre will play out on 11 July. For those who don't know, it's the biggest single atrocity on European soil since World War Two, where Bosnian Serb troops slaughtered 8,372 Muslim men and boys after overrunning the designated UN safe area in eastern Bosnia.
Michel proposal offers Council more control over rule of law conditionality
European Council President Charles Michel's latest compromise proposal for the bloc's 2021-27 budget offers more power to member states in deciding to cut EU funding in case of rule of law problems, and instead promises more funding for values projects and the fight against disinformation.
We must not forget the legacy of Srebrenica
This week we mark 25 years since the Srebrenica genocide carried out against the Bosnian people during the break-up of Yugoslavia. On 11 July, 1995, Bosnian Serb forces led by General Ratko Mladic and Serbian paramilitary units systematically massacred 8,372 men and boys: each one a mother’s son, a father, husband or loved one, to those left behind. It must not be forgotten, writes Anna Fotyga.
Dead heat on the cards as Poles ready for presidential run-off
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Romanian MEPs and the Lithuanian PM criticising the recently adopted Mobility Package, the Czech opposition urging the PM to back the EU RecoveryFund that will be decided at the next EU summit in Brussels, and so much more.
How COVID-19 can bring gender justice
Like previous disasters, the coronavirus crisis has exposed systemic inequalities faced by women. It's time to build back better and fairer, write Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Helena Dalli.
Step up ‘no deal’ planning, Barnier warns EU firms
The EU’s chief negotiator on future relations with the UK warned EU businesses on Thursday (9 July) to step up their planning for a ‘no deal’ scenario when the UK leaves the Single Market at the end of 2020.
Tweets of the Week: VDL on Video, Merkel in the EP, Barnier en route
VDL’s video is a step too far, Merkel’s Parliament performance raises the bar and Michel Barnier is back on the Eurostar.
Hopes and fears as polarised Poles choose president
Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is running for re-election in a knife-edge contest on Sunday against liberal Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, is a loyal ally of the ruling populists. Trzaskowski is a liberal who has promised to turn Poland firmly towards the European Union.
Sweden and Denmark step out of the shadows as EU’s frugals
Normally perceived as team players, Sweden and Denmark have found themselves playing the unaccustomed role of outliers in EU politics, blocking the widely backed COVID-19 recovery plan.
Extremist violence spikes in Germany, new report reveals
The number of extremist crimes has increased significantly over the past year. The intensity of violent crimes is increasing in both the left and right-wing extremist spectrum. Foreign espionage activities and cyber attacks also pose an increasing threat. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU nationals shut out from UK welfare scheme, report warns
EU citizens in the UK risk being shut out of accessing the country’s welfare system as a result of a little-known test that requires them to prove that they are permanently in the UK, according to research published on Thursday (9 July).
Coronavirus, pension reform and more – what France’s new PM has said so far
France's new prime minister, Jean Castex, shed some new light on his government team, coronavirus, pensions and unemployment insurance reform in just his second interview since his appointment on 3 July. EURACTIV's partner, Ouest-France reports.
Corona-related racism could persist longer than the virus, expert warns
When the coronavirus started spreading earlier this year, a second pandemic developed simultaneously: that of corona-racism. Right-wing extremism researcher Judith Rahner spoke with EURACTIV Germany about racism during the pandemic.
Italy’s PM Conte demands July deal on EU Recovery Fund
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte calling for the EU Recovery Fund to be approved by the end of July, Romania seeing an increase in daily increase in coronavirus cases without adopting new measures, and so much more.
The EU must take a stand against Turkey’s aggression
It is encouraging that the German government has finally taken a stand on Turkey’s aggressive foreign policy, writes Robert Ellis and argues that Thursday’s debate in the European Parliament on Turkey’s negative role in the Eastern Mediterranean and Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting will indicate which way the wind blows.
Merkel asks EU Parliament for ‘willingness to compromise’ ahead of mini-summit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to take part in a "mini-summit" with the leaders of the EU institutions in Brussels on Wednesday evening (8 July). It is her first trip abroad since the coronavirus crisis started, testifying to how seriously she is taking her second and last German presidency of the EU Council. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Slovenian PM calls for mandatory coronavirus app, against Commission advice
Coronavirus contact tracing applications should be made mandatory as a means of helping the European Union transition out of the public health crisis and open up its borders, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša said on Wednesday (8 July).