Politics
Czech PM asked EU leaders to expel Russian diplomats
In today's edition of the Capitals, look out for the Hungarian government donating excess ventilators, the Czech Prime Minister asking EU countries to expel Russian diplomats, and much more.
Commission has ‘plan B’ if Portugal’s presidency ends with no minimum wage consensus
The European Commission is considering future presidencies after Portugal's presidency as a 'plan B' should Portugal fail to reach consensus in the Council on the definition of minimum wages, according to EU Employment Commissioner Nicolas Schmit.
More than 1,400 migrants arrive on Italy’s Lampedusa
Fifteen boats packed with hundreds of migrants landed on the southern Italian island of Lampedusa on Sunday (9 May), and officials said they were expecting numbers to increase as the weather improved.
Indyref 2 is ‘will of the country‘, says Scottish first minister following poll win
The pressure for a second referendum on Scottish independence will step up after the Scottish National Party secured 64 of the 129 seats following Thursday’s (6 May) Scottish parliament elections and declared that an independence poll was “the will of...
Schmit: ‘Real problem’ that ‘too few’ social rights exist in EU
European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, underlined on Friday (7 May) that it is a real problem that "too few" social rights exist, calling for a collective duty of the EU to provide concrete answers to citizens.
ILO wants investment in training, social protection
It is necessary to invest in training people, social protection and new forms of green and digital work, considering that Europe has enormous possibilities to do so, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Guy Ryder, urged on Friday...
In search of social Europe ‘in practice’ at Porto summit
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Finnish parliament accusing Brussels of pressuring it to accept the EU stimulus package, Spain's new measures to reach eligibility for EU funding, and so much more.
EU Council chief expects an ‘important new chapter’ with India
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said on Wednesday (5 May) he hoped that the summit between leaders of the EU and India would open an "important new chapter" between Brussels and New Delhi, despite the "dramatic scenario" of the pandemic.
German Greens leader Baerbock signals post-pacifist shift on foreign policy
The German Greens' candidate for chancellor Annalena Baerbock on Thursday (6 May) said her country must be more active on foreign policy and "take more responsibility for its own security", in a sign the party is shifting from its pacifist stance towards the centre.
Press freedom crisis in Greece and COVID-19 travel certificates
This week our podcast takes us to Athens, where things are getting quite shady when it comes to press freedom. Last month there was the mafia-style execution of an investigative reporter, Giorgos Karaivaz, and shortly after that, another journalist, Kostas Vaxevanis, reported to the police that he is receiving death threats.
UK-France fishing row escalates as protest descends on Jersey
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent two Navy patrol vessels to Jersey over concerns that French fishermen could blockade its main port in an escalating post-Brexit row.
Poland eyes J&J vaccines from Denmark
In today's edition of the capitals, find out more about Slovakia's parliament deputy speaker resigning after breaching the country's COVID-19 rules, Austria's decision to reject a possible EU-wide minimum wage, and so much more.
Hungarian opposition to file police complaint after MP attends vote with virus
Hungarian opposition parties Párbeszéd (Dialogue) and Momentum have filed complaints against ruling Fidesz party lawmaker Zsolt Becsó after he attended a parliamentary session last week while infected with the coronavirus.
China Atlantic base would spark ‘strong concern’, Portuguese minister says
Any Chinese military base in the Atlantic Ocean is unnecessary and any such hypothesis would be viewed with "strong concern", Portugal's minister of defence, João Gomes Cravinho, has said, adding that it was "not a good idea" to transform this region into a scenario of "geopolitical conflict".
Time to raise awareness of €1.5bn EU equality and rights programme, says leading MEP
Last month, European lawmakers proclaimed the EU’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programmes as the largest ever amount of EU funding dedicated to promoting the bloc's values such as democracy and fundamental rights.
Orbán has begun taking steps to preserve his power
With barely a year until what looks to be a tight election in Hungary, the government is shifting considerable amounts of public assets away from the state and into foundations. The goal could be to sustain Viktor Orbán’s "System of National Cooperation" (NER) should he lose the 2022 election. EURACTIV's media partner Telex takes a closer look.
Greek reporter after death threats: journalism targeted by business-politics ties
Greek journalist Kostas Vaxevanis has recently denounced a death contract against him. Less than a month ago, another well-known investigative journalist was murdered in a mafia-styled execution in Athens. EURACTIV has interviewed Vaxevanis to find out about the deteriorating conditions of independent journalism in the country.
Belgium suffers major cyberattack
In today's edition of the capitals, Italy and Austria take the green travel certificate into their own hands, while the Czech Interior Minister denies exchanging data on the Russian depot blast for Sputnik V, read this and so much more.
In first, WTO names women to half of deputy chief posts
World Trade Organization head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Tuesday (4 May) named two women to the WTO's four deputy leader jobs for the first time in its history.
Portugal-India summit postponed until leaders can attend in person
The EU-India bilateral summit which had been planned to take place during Portugal's presidency of the Council of the EU has been postponed until the leaders involved can attend in person, Portugal's minister of foreign affairs confirmed on Tuesday (5 May).
Spain’s Popular Party wins Madrid regional election
Spain's conservative Popular Party (PP) has won a snap regional election in Madrid, in a victory for the incumbent regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. However the party fell short of an absolute majority and must form a coalition or rely on the abstention of far-right Vox to govern. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Belgium must halt police race violence and end racial profiling, says UN committee
Belgium must take action to tackle ‘police-related racial violence’ and racial profiling, according to new recommendations by a UN committee published on Monday (3 May).
Hungary may see takeovers of last free media, experts warn
Recent reports have confirmed the negative trend for media freedom in Hungary but also pointed to Budapest's negative impact on press freedom in neighbouring countries. On World Press Freedom Day (3 May), EURACTIV talked to two of the main experts on Hungarian media.