Politics
The Brief, powered by BP – Welcome to uncharted territory
It is not often that we knowingly witness history in the making before our own eyes, but today we've had one of those moments.
Leaders ask the Commission for a mandate to start post-Brexit negotiations with UK
The European Council has asked the Commission to present a mandate to start post-Brexit negotiations with the UK as soon as possible, following Thursday (12 December) UK elections results that confirmed a strong majority for Boris Johnson.
Scots to map out independence plans after UK election success
The Scottish National Party (SNP) will next week unveil a "detailed democratic case for the transfer of power" that may enable a second Scottish independence referendum to take place in the near future, the leader of the party Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday (13 December).
Brexit battle over: new battles begin
After three and a half years there is finally closure. There will be no second referendum. The UK will leave the European Union in January. But as one battle ends, a host of new fronts open up.
AS IT HAPPENED: EU leaders discuss budget, climate change
EU27 leaders meet in Brussels on 12-13 December to discuss the bloc's next seven-year budget and ways to financially sweeten its 'green component', in order to meet the new European Commission's top priority of making the EU climate-neutral by 2050.
EU leaders congratulate Johnson but warn of more hard work ahead
EU leaders put on a brave face on Friday (13 December) and congratulated Boris Johson on his resounding victory in the UK elections, which means he will take the country out of the EU next month after three years of Brexit frustrations.
Former US Vice-President Al Gore warns of COP25 failure
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out about Al Gore's comments on the COP25 climate summit in Madrid, calling it a missed opportunity, and so much more.
Corbyn to step down after crushing election defeat
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Friday (13 December) he would stand down as his party faced its worst electoral defeat in 84 years, but he did not set a date for his departure and added he would remain in charge during a period of reflection.
Malta murder scandal exposes EU reluctance to force Muscat out
Malta's Prime Minister Josep Muscat came under increasing pressure on Thursday (12 December) as calls for his immediate resignation intensified in Brussels in an ongoing investigation over the 2017 assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Anne Caruana Galizia.
Four green policy concerns Boris Johnson needs to address immediately
After delivering a Conservative Party majority, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now forge ahead with his Brexit plans, but with climate and environmental standards listed throughout the party's manifesto he'll to address some key green policy concerns. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
EU leaders prepare for Brexit after Johnson win
European leaders will charge EU negotiator Michel Barnier on Friday (13 December) with negotiating a close trade deal with Britain, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson's apparent election win set the stage for an orderly Brexit.
EU Council chief takes over budget negotiations
The European Council handed over the negotiation of the next EU long-term budget to its president, Charles Michel during the first round of the December summit on Thursday (12 December).
Brexit confirmed as Johnson secures decisive election win
The United Kingdom will leave the EU by the end of January after Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party won a decisive victory in Thursday’s (12 December) general election.
Parliament puts its trust in Michel for progress on EU budget
As European Council president Charles Michel takes over the negotiations on the EU's long-term budget, the Parliament hopes this will give a new impetus to the slow-moving talks, lawmakers in charge told a press briefing on Wednesday (11 December).
Spain’s king taps Socialist Sanchez to form government
Spain's King Felipe VI has tasked acting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to form a government after the country's second inconclusive election in less than seven months, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
EU summit: Even without Britain, EU leaders unlikely to take big decisions
European Union leaders meet without Britain on Thursday (12 December), but their departing neighbour's absence will not make agreeing a budget any easier.
Advocate General: EU Court has no say on Croatia-Slovenia border row
Slovenia was almost shocked by the Court of Justice's opinion regarding its border dispute with Croatia, which almost confirmed Croatia's position. In today's edition of the Capitals, also find out what has been happening across other European capitals.
Bosnia closes ‘jungle’ migrant camp
Bosnia on Wednesday (11 December) dismantled tents at the makeshift migrant camp known as the "jungle" for its harsh conditions, after transferring hundreds of people who were living at the site to Sarajevo.
EU court ‘should not intervene’ in Croatia-Slovenia border dispute
An adviser at the EU Court of Justice agreed with Croatia on Wednesday (11 December) that settling the border between Slovenia and Croatia was not a matter on which EU courts should rule.Promoted content
Huawei is key to Europe’s Green Deal
Europe will find it difficult to achieve many of its goals, such as the Green Deal, without AI. And without a fully developed, multi-party 5G ecosystem, Europe will fall further behind, writes Abraham Liu.
Brexit election tightly poised as campaign draws to a close
UK party leaders criss-crossed the country on the final day of campaigning ahead of Thursday’s (12 December) general election that remains tightly poised, with most opinion polls suggesting that Boris Johnson’s Conservatives will secure a narrow majority.
The Brief, powered by BP – Breaking Point
Thursday’s general election has been billed on all sides as the most decisive in several generations. Britain, not to mention plenty of its citizens, is at breaking point. But not quite in the way that Nigel Farage would have had you believe when he launched his infamous poster of Syrian refugees.
‘Soros orchestra’: The next chapter in Hungary’s Article 7 odyssey
The General Affairs Council held a thematic hearing on Tuesday (10 December) on the ongoing Article 7 procedure against Hungary, tackling the alleged breaches of judicial independence, academic freedom and freedom of expression, particularly media freedom.