Politics

The Brief – Parallel lines

Those who shuttle between Westminster and Brussels aren’t just swapping meat pies for moules frites. The two-hour ride on the Eurostar transports you to a parallel political universe.

Far-right wants to be involved in next Parliament’s power-sharing

Doubled in size compared to the last legislature, the newly formed nationalist group Identity and Democracy (ID) is now eager to capitalise on its success and get a share of high-level roles in the European Parliament’s Bureau and committees.

With Loiseau’s withdrawal, leadership questions arise for ‘Renew Europe’

Nathalie Loiseau has withdrawn her candidacy to lead the new centrist group in the European Parliament, raising questions about French leadership in the EU assembly. EURACTIV France reports.

Prime Minister Johnson moves closer…

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.

Johnson takes step towards Downing Street, tops leadership ballot

Boris Johnson moved a step closer to becoming the next UK prime minister on Thursday, after topping the first ballot of Conservative MPs who are seeking a successor for Theresa May.

Four eastern EU states to discuss top jobs, keen to boost their influence

The leaders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic will discuss in Budapest on Thursday (13 June) potential candidates for top jobs in the European Union coming up for grabs shortly, in a sign of regional coordination by the so-called Visegrad Four.

Loose-tongued Loiseau goes on the offensive

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.

EU leaders to aim for final climate deal ‘in early 2020’

Talks on a climate plan for 2050 should wrap up by the end of this year in view of final adoption in early 2020, according to the draft conclusions of an EU summit taking place next week in Brussels.

EU liberals change name to appease new French members

The main centrist political group in the EU parliament changed its name on Wednesday  (12 June) after receiving an influx of new French members who shy away from the term "liberal".

EXCLUSIVE: What countries really think of the EU’s strategic agenda

EU member states broadly supported priorities highlighted for the next five years, although they called for a more “positive” vision. Despite the demands made by the capitals, the latest version only included few changes, according to the latest draft and the minutes seen by EURACTIV.

Eurogroup to nudge forward EMU reform before next week’s EU summit

EU finance ministers will try to close a deal on deepening the Economic and Monetary Union, including a tentative new budget for the eurozone, during the Eurogroup meeting on Thursday (13 June) in an inclusive format. 

Johnson vows to re-negotiate Brexit deal as he launches PM bid

Boris Johnson has promised to immediately re-negotiate the UK’s divorce from the EU as he formally launched his bid to become prime minister on Wednesday (12 June).

‘Horror show’ of Tory leadership campaign

‘Horror show’ of Tory leadership campaign. As the race to be the next UK Prime Minister heats up, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took aim at the current Conservative campaigning for Theresa May’s job on Tuesday, calling it a “horror show” and claiming that a hard Brexit would "increase the likelihood of Scotland becoming independent.”   

Macron says he would back Merkel if she runs for EU leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday (11 June) that he would support German Chancellor Angela Merkel if she were to seek to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission.

The Brief – Words have power

On 12 June 1942, Anne Frank received a notebook recovered by a red-a-white plaid. It was her 13th birthday. She made it her diary, which, 77 years later, became one of the world’s most famous book. She would have turned 90 tomorrow.

Sturgeon: Hard Brexit makes Scottish independence ‘more urgent’

The scenario of a hard Brexit would "increase the likelihood of Scotland becoming independent," Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview. Her comments come as hard and soft Brexit Conservatives start jockeying for position in the race for the vacant UK prime minister role.

High time to consider coalition with Greens and Left Party, says Berlin’s SPD mayor

The prospect of a left-wing alliance in Bremen is reviving the political debate. Are SPD, Left Party and Greens to form a federal coalition soon? EURACTIVS media partner DerTagesspiegel reports.

Deal or no deal? Britain’s PM hopefuls divided over Brexit

Of the 10 contenders in the race to replace Theresa May as Britain's prime minister, many take very different stances towards Brexit as the date of Britain's departure from the European Union moves ever closer.

Thirteen members prod ‘old EU’ to respect enlargement, support Skopje, Tirana

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.

UK-South Korea deal seeks to calm Brexit anxiety in oil markets

A UK-South Korea trade deal announced Monday (10 June) guarantees future exemption from oil tariffs following a spate of dry months without crude imports coming from Britain's North Sea fields.

GLOBSEC Forum: ‘No reason to protest, people have a great life’, Babis says

As GLOBSEC's 2019 forum in Bratislava kicked off last week, EURACTIV went along to listen to world leaders from politics, civil society and business, on the EU’s place amid unstable political contexts. Here are the main talking points from the Saturday forum.

Brexit chaos holding back UK tech sector: London mayor

London’s booming technology sector could be making even faster progress if the gridlock over Brexit wasn’t depriving thousands of start-ups and big tech companies of the certainty they need over policy, London mayor Sadiq Khan said on Monday (10 April).

LEAK: EU’s five-year plan doubles down on protecting borders

EU leaders want to focus on migration and protection of external borders, or the "integrity of our physical space", over the next five years, according to a draft of the so-called strategic agenda obtained by EURACTIV. Economy and climate action rank second and third.

Europe’s ambitious but uncertain future on show at Bratislava forum

As Globsec’s 2019 forum in Bratislava kicked off earlier this week, EURACTIV went along to listen to world leaders from politics, civil society and business on the Future of Europe. Here we present a summary of the main talking points in the field, across the first two days.