Politics
UK yields voting rights to Finland, officials to skip meetings
The UK government announced on Tuesday (20 August) that its officials will stop attending most EU meetings as of 1 September in order to focus efforts elsewhere ahead of its expected withdrawal from the bloc. London will also cede its voting rights to Finland in areas that are no longer of interest.
EU’s Tusk rejects Johnson’s plea to scrap Irish backstop
European Council President Donald Tusk has rejected Boris Johnson’s pleas to scrap the Irish backstop and instead offered veiled criticism of the UK prime minister for not presenting “realistic alternatives”.
France continues to flourish on EU arms sales market
An increasing number of EU member states is buying weapons 'made in France'. After its exports were high in 2018, France is even expected to top those numbers in 2019. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Investigation of Slovak journalist murder uncovers other serious crimes
A year and a half since the murder of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, prosecutors said that the investigation has uncovered a ring of other crimes, including four murders and planned high-level assassinations.
Italy’s government crisis comes to the boil
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will clear the air on the political crisis gripping his coalition as he is expected to announce his resignation today (20 August), opening a new period of political uncertainty for the eurozone's third-largest economy.
Johnson tells EU he wants Brexit deal but without Irish backstop
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote Monday (19 August) to European Council President Donald Tusk reaffirming his desire to conclude a Brexit deal as well as his opposition to the controversial "backstop" on Ireland.
No-deal Brexit set to cause disruption for UK oil refineries
Though UK fuel export tariffs are set to rise to 4.7%, import tariffs will be set at 0%. Oil refineries are warning this would put them at a competitive disadvantage.
Merkel meets Orban on Iron Curtain anniversary amid new divides
German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalled the importance of a "humane" Europe Monday (19 August) as she took part in commemorations in Hungary to mark the 30th anniversary of a pivotal moment in the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
Catholic church continues battle against LGBT in Visegrád Four
The rhetoric of the Catholic Church members against the LGBT community is becoming increasingly aggressive in four eastern EU countries, with priests comparing the LGBT movement to the plague and calling it an “ideology” with totalitarian features.
EU’s Juncker cuts short holiday for urgent surgery
Outgoing European Commission boss, Jean-Claude Juncker, had to cut short his Austria holiday to undergo an urgent gallbladder operation back home in Luxembourg, his team said in a statement on Saturday (17 August).
UK faces food, fuel and drug shortages, says contested leaked document
Britain will face shortages of fuel, food and medicine if it leaves the European Union without a transition deal, according to leaked official documents reported by the Sunday Times whose interpretation was immediately contested by ministers.
EU’s von der Leyen bids Germany goodbye with Scorpions hit
EU president-elect Ursula von der Leyen chose the Scorpions' smash hit "Wind of Change", which has become an anthem for the fall of the Berlin Wall, for her official departure ceremony in Berlin on Thursday evening (15 August).
US and Britain discuss trade deal that could take effect on 1 November
Britain and the United States are discussing a partial trade accord that could take effect on 1 November, the day after Britain is due to leave the European Union, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday (13 August).
Italy recalls Senate as no-confidence vote looms
Italy's political crisis edged forward on Monday (12 August) after party leaders decided to recall the Senate to vote on a timetable that could include a no-confidence vote and spell the end of the populist coalition.
Poland’s ruling party emerges unscathed from flights scandal
Poland's ruling nationalists appear on track to win October's parliamentary vote, three opinion polls show, despite a scandal over the private use of government aircraft by the party's speaker of parliament who was forced to resign.
Portugal government orders striking fuel drivers back to work
Portugal's government ordered striking fuel-tanker workers back to work in some parts of the country on Monday (12 August) after fuel supplies ran low at locations including Lisbon airport despite measures to counter the impact of the walkout.
Hungary and Finland wage media war of words
In July, a spat broke out between Hungary and Finland, which took over the EU's rotating Council presidency Romania and with its program quickly became a new enemy for Budapest.
Salvini’s quest for snap Italian election faces hurdles
Lega chief Matteo Salvini's call for snap Italian elections after he turned on his own coalition partner faced mounting resistance on Sunday (11 August), with both his former 5-Star ally and the centre-left opposition seeking to put the brakes on.
British PM Johnson to meet Ireland’s Varadkar over Brexit
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has accepted an offer to meet Irish leader Leo Varadkar to discuss Brexit and the Northern Irish backstop, the Sunday Telegraph said citing UK government sources.
EU’s Juncker tells Britain: no-deal Brexit will hurt you the most
A no-deal Brexit would hurt Britain more than the rest of Europe no matter how much Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government pretends otherwise, outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in remarks published on Saturday (10 August).
It’s up to EU to avoid no-deal Brexit, says UK foreign minister
Britain's foreign minister on Thursday (8 August) pressed the European Union to amend the terms of Britain's EU withdrawal agreement, saying Brussels would have to take responsibility for a no-deal Brexit if it does not compromise.
Poland’s parliament speaker resigns over private flights scandal
Poland's parliament speaker said on Thursday (8 August) he would resign after it was revealed that he used government aircraft for private trips, suggesting the ruling nationalists aimed to defuse a scandal that could affect their re-election campaign.
Italy’s Salvini says government is finished, calls for elections
Tension is mounting in Italy between its populist leaders over the financing of a multi-billion-euro high-speed train line, raising speculation the coalition government could collapse.