Politics
The Brief – Solidarity with the South
‘Solidarity’ is one of the most overused words in EU discourse. There’s plenty of talk of needing it to combat the health and economic challenges of the coronavirus. What a shame that when it comes to actions, solidarity is in...
Centre-right leaders ask Tusk to expel Orban’s Fidesz from EPP
Eleven of Europe's centre-right political leaders have asked Donald Tusk, the president of the conservative European People’s Party (EPP), to expel Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party from its ranks, according to a letter seen by EURACTIV.com.
Poland, Hungary and Czechia broke law over refugees relocation system, EU court rules
Poland, Hungary and Czechia failed to fulfil their legal obligations under EU law when they refused to participate in the relocation system for refugees in 2015, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday (2 April).
Finland considers shutting completely border with Sweden
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Portugal's extended lockdown and Austria's criticism of Hungary's emergency law and so much more.
Orbán seeks EPP backing for his absolute powers
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking conservative support to remain within Europe's main centre-right political bloc despite concerns over his adoption of emergency powers to rule by decree.
13 EU countries say ‘deeply concerned’ about democracy
Thirteen European governments said they are 'deeply concerned' about the risk of violations of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, in a stab at Hungary's recent emergency measures giving the government wide powers, including the right to rule by decree.
EU under pressure to broker online terrorist content agreement
The European Council and Commission are under pressure to make headway on rules to stamp out online terrorist content, the substance of which could provide a precedent for the upcoming Digital Services Act, an MEP involved with the matter told EURACTIV.
Pittella calls on Europe’s northern socialists to finally break their silence
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about how the Czech government is planning to give the government and prime minister more power in times of crisis, Italian PM Conte urging the EU to show whether it really is a 'common house' and so much more.
Belgian MEP criticises ‘xenophobic sauce’ in discourse over coronavirus crisis
As the debate over distribution of EU funds continues in Belgium, nationalist New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and Vlaams Belang parties are consciously spreading disinformation about the coronavirus crisis and spicing it up with 'xenophobic sauce', Belgian MEP Parliament Kathleen Van Brempt (SP.A/S&D) criticised in a statement.
Sassoli shows his differences with von der Leyen over Hungary
European Parliament President David Sassoli has asked the European Commission to assess whether the new laws introduced in Hungary under the disguise of coronavirus emergency comply with the most important text of EU treaties, he said late on Tuesday (31 March).
The Brief – De l’esprit des lois
At the very heart of the European Union, another suffocating and potentially deadly virus has emerged in full light. It threatens the separation of powers as we’ve known it since Montesquieu’s De l’esprit des lois. Unless the European Union, its...
Von der Leyen warns against democratic backsliding without mentioning Hungary
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned on Tuesday (31 March) that coronavirus emergency measures by EU countries must be "limited", in a veiled reference to Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orbán, who used the pandemic to take on sweeping powers.
Huawei: Chinese government would not let us get ‘slaughtered’ by US
A top official of the telecommunications giant Huawei has said that Beijing may consider counter-measures should the United States choose to impose further restrictions on exports of American equipment to be used by the Chinese firm.
Domestic violence increases in France during COVID-19 lockdown
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the increase of domestic violence cases in France since the country went on lockdown, the Czech Republic launching its 'smart quarantine' system in one of its regions, and so much more.
Brussels seeks ‘consensual’ economic response to COVID-19 crisis, shifting away from coronabonds
With "all options on the table", European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen is looking at a consensual response among member states to the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis, her spokesman said on Monday (30 March), shifting away from controversial debt mutualisation advocated by Italy.
Orbán to rule by decree with new powers to ‘silence critics’
The Hungarian Parliament approved new emergency powers on Monday (30 March) that will allow the ruling Fidesz party the right to rule by decree, without a set time limit, in a move that prompted an outcry from human rights groups.
Portugal slams Dutch finance minister for ‘repugnant’ comments
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Germany continuing its measures to contain COVID-19, people having to go back to work soon in Belgium, and so much more.
‘Are we in Greece?’: Migrants seize their chance in Europe quest
The thousands of migrants at the Kastanies border town between Turkey and Greece are desperate to reach Europe and furious with Greeks who "won't open the gates".
‘We have to eat’: Sicily police crack down on looting
Police with batons and guns have moved in to protect supermarkets on the Italian island of Sicily after reports of looting by locals who could no longer afford food.
Spain toughens restrictions as coronavirus death toll surges
Spain prepared to enter its third week under near-total lockdown on Sunday (29 March), as the government approved a strengthening of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus and the death toll rose by 838 cases overnight to 6,528.
Polish organisations protest crackdown on social dialogue
Polish employer’s organisations and trade unions protested on Sunday (29 March) against what they called an attack by the authorities on the independence of the country’s Social Dialogue Council and the autonomy of social partner organisations, under the disguise of measures to combat COVID-19.
France moves patients from swamped hospitals as death toll climbs
France used two high-speed trains and a German military plane to move more than three dozen critically ill coronavirus patients on Sunday (29 March) to ease the pressure on overwhelmed hospitals in eastern France.
Coronavirus crisis puts EU credibility on the line, says France
How the European Union responds to the coronavirus outbreak will determine its future credibility, a French minister said on Sunday (29 March), after the bloc failed to agree last week on measures to cushion the economic blow.