Politics
France’s incoming MEPs will be ‘like a company that only functions with interns’
Only 20 out of the 70 MEPs set to represent France in the new European Parliament already know the system. "It is like a company that only functions with interns," according to one lawmaker. EURACTIV France reports.
EU country briefing: Germany
Containing Germany has been the European project’s main raison d'être since its creation. This was symbolised by the fact that cooperation started with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1950, primarily aimed at avoiding another European war.
Journalist killed after shots fired in Londonderry riot
Journalist Lyra McKee was killed after shots were fired during rioting in the Northern Irish city of Londonderry on Thursday (18 April) that saw police attacked by petrol bombs and other missiles.
MEPs approve the creation of the European Labour Authority
On Tuesday (16 April), MEPs approved the creation of a European Labour Authority, as well as several positions that favour the rights of European workers and combat social dumping. But major changes still need to be made. EURACTIV France reports.
UKIP leader fights back against Farage’s ‘one man’ Brexit party at EU poll launch
UKIP launched its campaign for the European elections on Thursday (18 April), describing itself as “the authentic party of Brexit” as it seeks to fend off Nigel Farage’s new Brexit party.
The Brief – Tales from the ‘Bourg
MEPs closed the Strasbourg shop this week before the EU elections and EURACTIV was there to see all the comings and goings. What happens in Alsace, definitely does not stay in Alsace...
Germany’s ruling parties rank just above far-right on climate protection
The European People’s Party (EPP) has scored very poorly in an analysis of how MEPs voted on climate policies, ranking even lower than the European Parliament's far-right contingent. In Germany, it is a similar story. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU country briefing: Bulgaria
Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, together with Romania. The country’s accession made Cyrillic the EU’s third official alphabet aside from the Greek and Latin alphabets.
Turkey’s opposition takes office in Istanbul, re-run appeal still pending
Turkey's main opposition candidate took office as Istanbul mayor on Wednesday (17 April) after a stunning victory over President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party, but the new head of the country's largest city still faces an appeal for the vote to be re-run.
Romanian justice minister sacked for shunning reforms
Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) sacked justice minister Tudorel Toader on Wednesday (17 April) for spurning controversial changes to the national penal code that critics say benefit PSD chief Liviu Dragnea.
UK should ‘cool down’, ditch Brexit – Timmermans
Britain should use the next few months to "cool down and rethink" its decision to leave the European Union, the socialist candidate to head the next European Commission, Frans Timmermans, said on Wednesday (17 April).
MEPs back plans to quell online terrorist content, but one-hour timeframe is criticised
The European Parliament has backed plans to force online hosting services to remove terrorist content within one hour of reporting, in a move aimed at quelling the spread of extremist propaganda online. However, there was no shortage of those in the industry criticising the timeframe.
Ahead of EU polls, Poland’s Kaczynski urges crossparty anti-euro stance
The leader of Poland’s ruling conservatives on Wednesday (17 April) urged opposition leaders to back its view that the country should not join the euro until its economy is on a par with that of western neighbours. When Poland joined...
Flagship study exposes decline of press freedom in Europe
Reporters Without Borders published their flagship annual ‘World Press Freedom Index’ on Thursday (18 April), revealing that worldwide, authoritarian regimes continue to tighten their grip on the media, while in Europe, decline of press freedom goes hand in hand with...
Serbia says it cannot protect its interests without Russia
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. /// BELGRADE Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow...
Brunei accused of ‘abusive lobbying’ before critical EU vote
EU officials on Wednesday (17 April) accused Brunei of "rude" and "abusive" lobbying against a resolution condemning the Muslim-majority sultanate for imposing the death penalty for gay sex and adultery.
Police recommend indicting Czech PM for fraud
Czech police believe billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babiš should be indicted for alleged involvement in EU subsidy fraud worth two million euros, a spokesman said Wednesday. “The investigation is over and the complete file has been submitted to the state...
Greece officially launches German war reparations bid
In “a historic moment”, according to Greek House Speaker Nikos Voutsis, the parliament will approve renewed bids for German war reparations today.
European Parliament backs rules to protect whistleblowers
The European Parliament on Tuesday (17 April) overwhelmingly voted for rules aimed at protecting whistleblowers from reprisals following corporate scandals such as Dieselgate and Cambridge Analytica.
Amid worries over Russia, Sweden returns troops to Baltic island
Under an icy rain, camouflage-clad Swedish soldiers crouched behind a log pile, aimed their machine guns towards the Baltic Sea and, at their officers' barked orders, opened fire down the snow-covered range.
The Brief – Against all odds
If the race for the EU's top job this summer really comes down to a choice between Manfred Weber and Michel Barnier, the outcome might still surprise us.
Erdogan’s party submits appeal for rerun of Istanbul elections
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party on Tuesday (16 April) submitted its promised appeal for the annulment and rerun of Istanbul’s municipal elections, over what it said were irregularities that marred the March 31 vote.
Le Pen’s Rassemblement National revises stance towards EU and the euro
Le Pen's party is no longer making calls to exit the EU or abandon the euro. Instead, the party is attempting to renew itself with a nationalist but locally anchored narrative. EURACTIV France reports.