Politics
EU and UK on brink of a Brexit deal despite Unionist concerns
The EU and UK are on the brink of a Brexit deal, but it is unclear whether the Democratic Unionist Party will agree to the new agreement, and when UK lawmakers will vote on the deal.
The Brief, powered by EK – The Macronian Candidate
If a sleeper agent trained by a hostile foreign power were to infiltrate the EU's structures of power, with the aim of launching subtle acts of sabotage, could they hope to do much better than what Emmanuel Macron is doing at the moment?
‘Broad support’ for EU-wide plastic tax
A European tax on plastic waste is gaining momentum as a way to bring new sources of revenue to the EU budget as leaders prepare for a two-day summit in Brussels beginning on Thursday (17 October).
EXCLUSIVE: Johnson Brexit deal must go to people to pass parliament, say lawmakers
Any Brexit deal struck by Prime Minister Boris Johnson will need to be put to the British people in a referendum if it is to pass the UK parliament, a cross-party group of UK lawmakers told EURACTIV on Wednesday (16 October).
Visegrad countries slam Finnish presidency MFF paper
Ahead of an EU summit starting on Thursday (17 October), diplomats from the four Visegrad countries harshly criticised the Finnish presidency of the Council of the EU for a paper it prepared to help the leaders’ discussion on the bloc’s...
Ahead of election, Spain braces for weeks of violent protests after ‘historic’ sentence
Less than a month before a fresh general election, Spain enters one of the most complex and volatile periods in its recent democratic history, after the Supreme Court sentenced on Monday nine Catalan independence leaders for their involvement in the banned 2017 independence referendum. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.
Macron prepares counter-offensive for Brussels
French President Emmanuel Macron will only choose the new French candidate for the European Commission after an EU summit on 17-18 October, where he intends to secure political support from the European Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Italy’s German-speaking province makes U-turn on scrapping Italian name
The local government of the Italian autonomous province Alto Adige/Südtirol had to step back and change a law that would have removed the term ‘Alto Adige’ from its Brussels office, as the attempt nearly led the country to the brink of a constitutional crisis.
Romania’s President appoints Ludovic Orban as PM-designate
Romania’s centrist President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday (15 October) he had appointed opposition Liberal Party leader Ludovic Orban as prime minister-designate to form a transitional government until a parliamentary election next year.
Russian top diplomat warns Greeks of facing same fate as Kurds
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. Today, we celebrate World Food Day. Before you start reading The Capitals, take a look at the...
Brexit deal within reach in last-ditch talks, but doubts remain
Britain and the EU made headway on Tuesday (15 October) in last-ditch talks on a Brexit deal ahead of a leaders' summit, but with just hours left to clinch an agreement it was still unclear if London could avoid postponing its scheduled departure on 31 October.
EU bank kicks climate can down road to November
The European Investment Bank decided on Tuesday (15 October) to delay a decision on updating its energy lending policy until November. Germany and the European Commission are still pushing for controversial changes to the bank’s original fossil-fuel-free proposal.
The Brief, powered by TIF – A new dialogue with Catalonia
After years of dealing with the Catalan issue by judiciary means, the verdict in the trial of the regional separatist leaders should bring a new opportunity for political dialogue. But staunch positions and the social fracture require time and courage,...
Erdogan thanks Orban for ‘support at the international stage’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in Baku on Tuesday (15 October), on the fringes of the Turkic Council, a group of countries speaking the same family of languages, which Hungary wants to join.
Life in Bulgaria, after Brexit – a ‘no-brainer’ for expats
The village of Radyuvene is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of UK urban life. But it is home to Beynon and Sue Darley, who swapped Guildford, a town 40 km south of London, for a rambling cottage in rural central Bulgaria.
Denmark to strip foreign fighters of Danish citizenship
Denmark will fast-track legislation allowing people with dual citizenship who have gone abroad to fight for militant groups like Islamic State to be stripped of their Danish nationality, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Monday (13 October).
Leaked recording shakes Slovak politics, confirms high-level political corruption
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
Armenia’s EU accession could be a ‘question for the people,’ Deputy PM says
Armenia has a "completely different level of relationship" with the European Union after last year's revolutionary uprising, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan has said, telling EURACTIV any future EU accession is a "question that the people of Armenia need to answer."
Poland’s parliament on knife-edge as opposition takes upper house
Poland's nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party appears to have narrowly won a second term in power, final results from the parliamentary election on Sunday (13 October) showed, but its drive to push through its agenda may be hampered by its loss of the upper house.
Brexit causes status anxiety among EU nationals in the UK
The negotiations on a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement have been painfully slow and often rancorous, but ministers have always insisted that the rights of EU nationals living in the UK will be protected. But despite all pledges, including from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, there is continuing anxiety on all sides.
The Brief, powered by EK – The EU’s new king has not killed the old one, yet
Political wars, as we know, can be fought anywhere, anytime, at any level, and the European arena lends itself particularly well to these kind of games.
Macron plays appeasement card after Goulard’s rejection
After an initial outburst, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease tensions on Sunday (13 October) following the rejection last week of his protégée Sylvie Goulard as France's candidate for the European Commission. EURACTIV France reports.
Conservatives sweep Polish vote, put EU rule of law to the test
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.