Politics
Investors or professionals: How most Hungarian media helped discrimination
Media watchdogs have been sounding the alarm over the shrinking space for media pluralism in Viktor Orbán's Hungary. EURACTIV looks into how discrimination of ethnic and social minorities has evolved in the country and how the development of its media landscape also played a role.
Costa: Some countries defend UK’s EU future vision
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the trial against former French President Nicholas Sarkozy starting in France this week, Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovič and his party threatening to leave government, and so much more.
UK firms face hefty compliance costs without EU data deal, report warns
British firms face a bill of up to £1.6 billion if Boris Johnson’s government fails to convince the EU to grant an adequacy decision allowing dataflows to continue, according to a new report published on Monday (23 November).
Biden pushes new approach to EU in calls to leaders
US President-elect Joe Biden spoke with the heads of the European Union institutions and NATO on Monday (23 November) in a round of calls seen as part of his efforts to repair tattered transatlantic ties.
France’s ‘feminist diplomacy’: lots of talk, little action
The term 'feminist diplomacy' used by France since 2018 remains unclear, according to a report by the country's High Council on Gender Equality presented to the government on 18 November. EURACTIV France reports.
Jourova: More homework remains to be done on diversity in media
The under-representation of people with a minority racial or ethnic background in the media, including in media newsrooms themselves, remains a problem that needs to be addressed, and the European Commission is ready to help with funding, Commission vice-president Věra Jourová told EURACTIV in a written interview.
Weber: Orban would be out of EPP if not for COVID
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about protesters opposing the new law making it a crime to circulate identifying images of law enforcement, Slovakia's intelligence chief saying Chinese diplomats offer Slovak public officials prostitutes and free trips to China, and so much more.
5-Star Movement rejects coalition with Forza Italia
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Spanish nurses opposing the idea that pharmacies can carry out COVID-19 tests, Bratislava distancing itself further from Poland and Hungary on the rule of law veto, and so much more.
Inconclusive video summit hashes over EU budget hurdle, vaccines
EU leaders said Thursday (19 November) they would intensify efforts to convince the Prime Ministers of Poland and Hungary to drop their veto of the EU coronavirus economic recovery plan, which has plunged the bloc into a new crisis.
Post-Brexit talks hit new delay after Barnier official gets COVID-19
Talks on an EU-UK trade deal face a new delay after a senior member of EU negotiator Michel Barnier’s team tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday (19 November).
EU states lead UN campaign against anti-Semitism
Twelve EU governments were among the leading signatories on Tuesday (17 November) to a new campaign aimed at combatting rising anti-Semitism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rule of law causes cracks in Visegrad Four
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Spain's ruling socialist party making gains in public opinion polls despite the devastating COVID-19 crisis, Slovenia's government distancing itself from its prime minister regarding the Polish-Hungarian budget veto, and so much more.
Abortion rights: An open wound in many European countries
Poland already had one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, and is on the verge of tightening it even further. But a closer look at other European countries shows the trend does not go towards liberalisation either, while at EU level, the European Commission is legally unarmed.
Greek official: Rule of law discussion is ‘bigger than the EPP’
Hungary and Poland's opposition to Brussels' oversight of the rule of law and their vetoes over the long-term EU budget and the coronavirus recovery fund are symptomatic of bigger problems in the EU that go beyond the divisions within the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), a Greek government official told EURACTIV.
Polish police keep protesters against abortion ruling away from parliament
Poles who planned to blockade parliament to protest against a judicial ruling that amounted to a near-total ban on abortion were kept away from the building by police on Wednesday (18 November), and dispersed around the city centre.
How young people in Belarus have become the drivers of the protests
For more than 100 days, Belarusian pro-democracy protesters have been rallying in the streets against President Alexander Lukashenko, following rigged national elections and violence against peaceful demonstrators. While some older people, particularly women, have also taken to the streets, young people have been at the forefront of the protests.
Row over rule of law infects EU virus summit
Hungary and Poland’s opposition to Brussels’ oversight over the rule of law will be top of the EU summit agenda Thursday (19 November), sidelining efforts to tackle the coronavirus epidemic. EU member states had planned to share the lessons learned...
Can EU save recovery plan from Hungarian-Polish blockade?
EU nations are again at loggerheads over their seven-year budget and coronavirus recovery plan, as Hungary and Poland attempt to block provisions tying payouts to upholding the rule of law.
Most Poles agree with government rule of law veto
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the majority of the Polish population backing the government's decision to veto the EU budget and recovery plan, Spain reducing the VAT on its facemasks, and so much more.
EU scores high approval ratings, despite pandemic
A majority of Europeans have a favourable opinion of the EU's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent study by the Pew Research Center, conducted before the continent began facing a second wave, has found.
Hungary’s fight against corruption ‘globally unsatisfactory’
Hungary has made no progress on implementing recommendations on corruption concerning members of parliament, judges and prosecutors, the Council of Europe's anti-graft body said in a report released on Tuesday (17 November).
The political calculus behind Vienna’s first ‘social-liberal’ coalition
Following an agreement between the social democrats (SPÖ) and liberals (NEOS), the Austrian capital has a new governing coalition. The partnership may seem unnatural but both sides have something to gain, while more difficult times are dawning for the ousted Greens. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission: Certain rights can be restricted due to COVID-19
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about France pre-ordering 90 million COVID-19 vaccines, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov confirming that gas from Azerbaijan will be entering the country as of January 2021, and so much more.