Politics
Who wants Ukraine to be granted EU candidate status?
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Albanian government favouring Sweden and Finland in NATO, travel conundrums amid the upcoming EU Czech presidency, and so much more.
Polish Parliament approves judicial reforms to unblock EU funds
Poland’s Parliament on Thursday (26 May) voted in favour of a bill that will replace a contested disciplinary chamber for judges with a new body, clearing the way for the country to get billions in COVID-19 recovery funds from Brussels....
Russian hackers are linked to new Brexit leak website, Google says
A new website that published leaked emails from several leading proponents of Britain's exit from the European Union is tied to Russian hackers, according to a Google cybersecurity official and the former head of UK foreign intelligence.
Germany unconvinced by Russian ‘wheat for sanctions’ offer
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about international hackers demanding ransom from the Austrian federal state, Lithuania sending Ukraine military equipment worth over €15 million, and so much more.
Justice for slain Maltese journalist ‘excruciatingly slow’, complains MEP
The process of justice for murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has been “excruciatingly slow and half hearted”, Sophie In’t Veld said on Wednesday following a three day rule of law mission by a European Parliament delegation to Malta.
Hungary’s Orban turns again to windfall taxes on banks, companies to plug budget
Hungary's government will impose windfall taxes on banks and large private companies' "extra profits" in a bid to rein in a swelling budget deficit, turning again to a policy that has helped Viktor Orban avoid raising taxes for families.
France’s new agri and food minister: a familiar face in the industry
While not very known to the public, Marc Fesneau, who will take over France's renamed Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, is respected in the field but has been criticised for his past record on animal welfare. EURACTIV France reports.
Investors cautious about Nordics’ NATO ‘grey period’
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Slovenia confirming its first case of monkeypox, Denmark sending Harpoon launchers and missiles to Ukraine, and so much more.
EU to unveil plans for seizing Russian assets frozen by sanctions
The Commission is set to unveil plans on 25 May which will make it easier to confiscate frozen assets linked to serious illegal activities and suspected criminals, including those evading EU sanctions against Russia, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
French tech partially welcomes new government’s digital portfolio
The portfolio of France's new "super economy ministry", while welcomed by tech, does not include a successor to Secretary of State Cédric O, creating uncertainty over whether such an appointment will be made. EURACTIV France reports.
Italy’s far-right leads polls, causes EU headaches
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen running for a second term, Lithuania becoming independent of Russian energy supplies, and so much more.
Greece said it blocked hundreds of migrants from crossing Aegean
Greece said on Monday (23 May) it had prevented around 600 migrants from crossing the Aegean into its territorial waters from neighbouring Turkey, in the largest attempted entry this year.
Former Slovak FM: Ukraine must attack Russia and take back Crimea
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Slovenian public broadcaster journalists planning to stage a strike, Portugal offering Ukraine technical support to join the EU, and so much more.
France’s newly appointed health minister in favour of ‘strengthening’ Europe’s health systems
Brigitte Bourguignon was appointed France's new Minister for Health and Prevention in Elisabeth Borne's government on Friday (20 May). Olivier Véran, who she is succeeding, was appointed Minister Delegate in charge of Relations with Parliament and Democratic Life.
New French government named: continuity with some surprises
French President Emmanuel Macron appointed his new government on Friday (20 May), following the appointment of Elisabeth Borne as Prime Minister on Monday. His personnel choices signalled continuity with previous governments.
Macron says ‘European political community’ no substitute to enlargement
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Slovenia being asked to reduce their diplomatic staff in Moscow, the former king returning to Spain after a self-imposed exile, and so much more.
Scholz splits with EU Parliament socialists over ex-chancellor Schröder
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz opposes a European Parliament resolution calling for former Social Democrat Chancellor Gerhard Schröder to be put on the EU sanctions list due to his ties to the Kremlin, drawing the line at the measures already taken...
No ‘immediate exit’ from NATO for Mélenchon, but a vote in Parliament
French parliament would vote on the country's membership in NATO if radical left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon wins the June legislative elections and is nominated prime minister, the France Insoumise chief suggested on Thursday (19 May). EURACTIV France reports.
Visegrad plays hot potato with Ukrainian Roma refugees
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Bulgaria adopting large-scale measures to weather inflation, the possible end of Russian gas imports to Finland, and so much more.
Sinn Fein’s McDonald says ‘bad faith’ UK government boosts united Ireland case
Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald on Wednesday (18 May) said Britain’s proposals to override some post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland were “astonishing” and yet another move by London that only serves to boost the Irish nationalist party’s quest...
Don’t extradite Assange, European human rights chief urges UK
European human rights experts have joined the campaign urging the UK government not to extradite controversial WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange to face trial in the United States, warning that it could have a ‘chilling effect’ on media freedom.
EU Parliament threatens Schröder with sanctions for ties with Russia
The European Parliament is increasing its pressure on former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, threatening him with sanctions if he refuses to resign from his posts in Russian companies, a joint draft motion, seen by EURACTIV, suggests.
Commission should block staff from taking ‘revolving door’ jobs, says EU watchdog
The European Commission should temporarily block its staff from taking private sector jobs if they pose conflict of interest risks that cannot be offset by restrictions, the European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly recommended on Wednesday (18 May).