Politics

EU court puts legality of Polish court reform in doubt

Europe's top court on Tuesday (19 November) ruled that Polish judges must decide on the validity of a disciplinary chamber imposed on them by the government, in a possible setback for Warsaw's controversial judicial reforms.

Merkel’s conservatives brace for stormy party congress

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU braces for a tumultuous two-day party congress in Leipzig from Friday (22 November), with members smarting from recent local election drubbings and bickering over her successor.

US urges Europe to take back Islamic State fighters

The United States on Monday (18 November) stepped up its push for European countries to repatriate and put on trial their citizens who fought for the Islamic State, launching talks with officials in Brussels.

European police bust gang looting artifacts in Italy

European police have busted an international crime gang involved in trafficking tens of thousands of Greek archaeological artefacts looted from illegal excavations in Italy, law enforcement agencies said Monday (18 November).

The Brief, powered by CEPI – Global tsunami

The protesters advocating the independence of Catalonia are using an internet platform and an app which directs them toward strategic places, to maximise the effect of their rebellion. The purpose is reportedly to test the tool in Catalonia first, and then to make it functional globally.

20 Visions for Europe: ‘Europe in 2040 – An unorthodox vision from the capitals’

20 Visions for Europe gathers unique visions from public officials, intellectuals, artists, diplomats, civic actors and business representatives. The project is part of EURACTIV’s celebration of 20 years of free, independent reporting with European values at its core. The partner of...

Need for a progressive EU-ACP partnership to address common global challenges

The international scenario is rapidly changing, but not necessarily in a positive way. That's why there is a need for a progressive partnership between the European Union and the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific countries, writes MEP Carlos Zorrinho.

Babis voices regret for Czech communist past at Velvet Revolution anniversary

The Czech Republic's billionaire prime minister expressed regret over his communist past on Sunday (17 November) while Slovakia's liberal president hailed the sacrifices communist-era dissidents made for democracy as their nations celebrated 30 years since the Velvet Revolution toppled communism in then-Czechoslovakia.

Johnson pledges to end Brexit uncertainty, says it has paralysed economy

Britain's Conservatives will deliver Brexit and end the uncertainty and confusion that has "paralysed" the economy if they are re-elected next month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tell business leaders on Monday (18 November).

Member states reject adding €50 million for Brexit preparedness

EU member states refused the European Commission’s request to add €50 million to deal with a no-deal Brexit, as the national governments are refusing to increase the overall budget for 2020.

The Brief, powered by BP – Incapacity to rule

The replacement hearings for the three rejected European Commissioner-designates were meant to be the beginning of the end of the Brussels job-division saga. However, further delays to the inauguration of Ursula von der Leyen's team may be looming, in what could be taken as a symptom of wider European indecisiveness.

Manfred Weber’s fall from grace: What now for the failed Spitzenkandidat?

Manfred Weber, the former German Spitzenkandidat for the European People's Party (EPP), has been on the defensive ever since his bid for the EU Commission presidency failed after the European elections in May. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

Azerbaijan ‘discourages’ human traffickers

Azerbaijan is unlikely to become a transit country for illegal migration because the authorities have “discouraged” international human trafficking rings from taking this route, Vusal Huseynov, the chief of the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan, told EURACTIV.

20 Visions for Europe: ‘Demain’

EURACTIV is marking 20 years with 20 Visions for Europe. Filippo Valsecchi is a singer who performs under the name Filo Vals.

‘Dissident’ MEPs admit pressure to approve von der Leyen’s Commission

A failure to pass the von der Leyen commission in Parliament would create a crisis of unprecedented proportions for the European Union. EURACTIV has learned from different sources that a lot of discrete efforts are being deployed to avoid such a scenario.

Tweets of the Week: Commissioner Title Changes, Tusks Speech, Boris’ Mop

VdL’s new titles are a bit of a flop, Tusk Brexit  speech is a major mic-drop, and Boris Johnson it appears can’t use a mop.

Surge in EU applications for UK settlement scheme

More than half a million applications for EU settled status were received by the UK’s Home Office in October, taking the total to 2.4 million.

EU bank brokers late-night deal to phase out fossil fuels

The European Investment Bank (EIB) decided on Thursday (14 November) to end financial support for fossil fuels from 2021, after marathon talks ended in a compromise that has been hailed as “a significant victory” for green policies.

Brexit frustration increases as EU censures UK over failure to nominate commissioner

The European Commission has launched a formal infringement procedure against the UK over its failure to nominate a Commissioner, in the latest sign of increasing frustration between Brussels and London.

Thierry Breton convinces MEPs, avoids same fate as Goulard

Thierry Breton, France's new Commissioner pick for the internal market and defence portfolio, convinced more than two-thirds of the MEPs who were auditioning him today (14 November).

Former Italian MEP and EPP group vice-chair arrested on corruption charges

Lara Comi, once a rising political star and a former MEP for Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia,  has been put under house arrest by the Italian police on Thursday (14 November) for alleged illegal financing and corruption.

20 Visions for Europe: ‘Media across borders before future EU elections’

Christophe Leclercq founded the EURACTIV Media Network and the think-and-do tank Fondation EURACTIV. His fiction piece illustrates media sector consolidation, changing journalist jobs, values, platform regulation, and the fate of the EU itself.

EU citizens at a legal crossroad

The Single Market has torn down the economic barriers all across the EU but the legal discrepancies still stand and citizens find themselves too often at a legal crossroad. A strong EU justice system and legal cooperation across the bloc is key to help Europeans deal with their day to day problems.

EU cooperation needed to address cross-border legal issues

As citizens have to deal more and more with cross-border legal issues, the EU needs to work towards ensuring better cooperation and harmonization of laws between member states.