Politics
Clashes in Belgrade as Serbia reimposes COVID-19 curfew
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Romania, Upper Austria and Belgrade tightening its COVID-19 measures, Germany's liberal FDP calling all coronavirus measures adopted thus far into question, and so much more.
Germany eyes breakthrough in EU migration dispute this year
Germany said on Tuesday (7 July) it wants European Union nations to overcome a deadlock on how to handle refugees and migrants this year, weighing in on a bruising dispute that has divided the 27-member bloc for years.
Rule of law a must before getting EU money, Jourova insists
European Union countries should only get money from the bloc's budget and the COVID-19 recovery fund if they have robust courts and safeguards against corruption, a top official said on Monday (6 July), a couched warning to Poland and Hungary, among others.
UK imposes first own sanctions against Saudi, Russian human rights abusers
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the new French government following Monday's reshuffle, the newly created European Public's Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) saying it will investigate member states that haven't joined, and so much more.
European justice ministers promise to combat disinformation and racism
Rule of law as a priority of the German EU Council presidency was an open secret long before the programme was presented. Thus, it was only fitting that the first Council meeting chaired by Germany was that of the ministers of justice. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French government reshuffle: Environment to be key priority
France's post-municipal election reshuffle was announced on Monday (6 July) by the Secretary-General of the Elysée Palace, Alexis Kohler. The new Prime Minister Jean Castex from conservative party Les Républicains (LR) confirms his right-wing orientation while signalling he will put the environment at the centre of his priorities. EURACTIV France reports.
Belgrade declares state of emergency
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the coronavirus situation in Luxembourg, the results of Croatia's parliamentary elections, and so much more.
Croatia’s ruling HDZ scores unexpected win in parliamentary elections
Croatia’s ruling conservative HDZ (EPP) became the unexpected relative winner of parliamentary elections held in the newest EU member on Sunday despite the renewed rise of coronavirus infections. EURACTIV Croatia reports.
UK faces extra €2bn EU pensions bill
The UK faces being slapped with a surprise €2 billion EU pensions bill, as a result of a 21% increase in EU officials' pension liabilities.
Jean Castex appointed as new French PM
Jean Castex became the new Prime Minister of France on Friday (3 July), following the announcement of a government reshuffle on Tuesday evening and the resignation of Edouard Philippe this morning.
Merkel and von der Leyen: Two long-time companions guiding Europe
They have ruled Germany together for 15 years. Now they are at Europe's helm. With the start of the German EU Presidency, Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have, together, forged plans to navigate Europe out of crisis, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Italy delays decision on EU bailout fund, again
In today's news from the Capitals, find out more about Lithuania's government welcoming NATO's updated defence plans for Poland and the Baltic states, Spain losing about €8 billion to tourism in the month of May alone, and so much more.
Croatia candidates: the PM, the singer and the ‘guy next door’
Croatians will choose their next prime minister in a parliamentary election on Sunday (5 July) pitting conservative incumbent Andrej Plenković against the centre-left opposition leader Davor Bernardić.
Post-Brexit trade pact suffers setback as ‘disagreements’ end talks early
The prospects of a post-Brexit EU-UK trade deal being brokered this year suffered a new setback on Thursday (2 July) as the first round of in-person talks since the coronavirus pandemic broke up a day earlier with both sides citing ‘significant disagreements’.
A migration pact in the spirit of the German government?
For the first time since 2015, the number of asylum applications filed in the EU rose last year compared to the previous year. The German EU Council Presidency is pressing for reforms to the system, but the Commission's proposals are still some way off. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Berlin moves to dismantle right-wing extremism in Special Forces
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out about how snus trafficking being linked to the increase of COVID-19 cases in Finland, how the Serbian president is urging the country to work, not lockdown, and so much more.
Merkel kicks off EU presidency with Brexit warning
The European Union must prepare for the possibility that talks with Britain on their post-Brexit relationship could fail, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday (1 July) as Germany took the helm of the bloc's rotating presidency.
COVID-19 pandemic poses new risks to EU citizens in UK, rights groups warn
The coronavirus pandemic risks creating new problems and uncertainty for potential applicants to the UK's EU Settlement Scheme and those who have already been given pre-settled status, citizens’ rights groups have warned Boris Johnson's government.
German EU Presidency: Berlin to lead on EU economic policy
As Germany took over the EU Council Presidency on Wednesday (1 July), Economy Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) presented plans for reorienting the bloc's economic policy, signalling Germany's commitment towards non-EU countries and confirming the focus on the digital and green economy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Almost two-thirds of MEPs do not report lobby meetings
Almost two-thirds of EU lawmakers do not report meetings with lobbyists, according to a Transparency International (TI) analysis of collected data on lobby meetings published by MEPs on the European Parliament website.
Italians still puzzled over EU bailouts
Italy’s ruling parties are still bickering over whether to make use of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Merkel’s legacy at stake as Germany takes EU reins
Germany takes over the European Union's six-month presidency Wednesday (1 July), with outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel staking her legacy on a massive economic recovery plan to help the bloc cope with the coronavirus fallout.
Belgian King expresses ‘deepest regrets’ over Congo’s colonial past
Belgium's King Philippe expressed his "deepest regrets" on Tuesday (29 June) for the harm done during the Belgian colonial rule in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the first such admission for his country, after last month's death of African American George Floyd rekindled the debate in Belgium about its colonial past.