Politics
The Brief, powered by The International Bromine Council (BSEF) – Carte de séjour
In what can be seen as a replay of the Salzburg summit, European leaders had dinner last night without British PM Theresa May, while negotiations stumbled yet again over the Irish border issue. Meanwhile, other EU countries are quietly gearing up to meet the March 2019 deadline. France chief among them.
Bulgaria could be marginalised if pro-EU parties dominate EU elections, says MEP
Bulgaria could end up being marginalised if pro-EU parties achieve very good results in next May’s European Parliament elections, said Bulgarian MEP Svetoslav Malinov during a discussion about the upcoming poll.
Salvini gets ready for Spitzenkandidaten battle
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is considering running for the presidency of the European Commission if a coalition of nationalist groups wins the next EU elections, he said in an interview Thursday (18 October).
French people convinced by EU but poorly motivated to vote
Support for the EU is at its highest level for 26 years. However, this enthusiasm is not reflected in the projections for turnout at the next European elections. EURACTIV France reports.
Orbán sends ‘take it or leave it’ message to the centre-right EPP
Hungary’s maverick Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took the gloves off and challenged his European People’s Party (EPP) at a pre-summit meeting on Wednesday (17 October), saying he wanted to remain an EPP member but should be accepted as he is, sources close to the issue told EURACTIV.com.
‘Don’t unscrew Poland from the EU,’ Tusk tells Warsaw
The EU's top official, Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, joked on Wednesday (17 October) about the removal by Polish authorities of a plaque bearing his name, saying it was more important they did not "unscrew" Poland from the European Union.
Salvini ‘at home’ in Moscow, denounces EU sanctions on Russia
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini denounced the "madness" of western sanctions against Russia, during a trip to Moscow Wednesday (17 October), and launched a fierce attack on the European Union.
Diplomatic tensions flare between Spain and Belgium over Catalan crisis
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel sought to defuse bilateral tensions at an EU summit yesterday (17 October) after Flemish and Spanish authorities traded accusations over Spain's handling of Catalonia's illegal declaration of independence and imprisonment of separatists.
At EU summit, Borissov deplores ‘terrible’ Russian cyberattacks on Bulgaria
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov disclosed on Wednesday (17 October) that his country had been targeted by “terrible” Russian cyberattacks before its EU presidency.
May and EU consider extending transition to break Brexit impasse
British PM Theresa May appeared to open the way to extend the post-Brexit transition period until December 2021, as EU leaders offered an olive branch to her in a bid to break the impasse during the EU summit on Wednesday (17 October).
135 French MPs lobby hard for the ecological transition
A parliamentary group, bringing together 135 French MPs from across the political spectrum, wants to collectively carry the issues of the ecological transition, particularly during the debate on the 2019 finance bill. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.
The Brief, powered by The International Bromine Council (BSEF) – Hard border surrounds fortress Britain
Theresa May and her EU counterparts seem likely to trot out the line that a Brexit deal will, probably, be struck, albeit at the 11th hour at this evening’s EU summit. The chaos promised by ‘no deal’ is very much in the minds of officials on both sides of the Channel.
Stubb has ‘zero tolerance’ for EPP rebels
Alexander Stubb, one of the EPP’s candidates for the next European Commission president, came out in defiance against the ‘illiberal’ factions within his party on Wednesday (17 October), saying he had zero tolerance for violations of fundamental party values.
A technical European Council to defuse tension
The European heads of state will meet in Brussels for three days. France is hoping to avoid reopening the eternal political debate surrounding migration and make progress on specific aspects, including Brexit – even though the final agreement is not ready. EURACTIV France reports.
NATO sees new cyber command centre by 2023 as Europe readies for cyber threats
A new NATO military command centre able to deter and launch cyber-attacks should be fully staffed and operational in 2023, but the alliance still lacks ground rules for doing so, a senior general announced at NATO’s annual cyber conference in Mons, Belgium on Tuesday (16 October).
What’s holding up Brexit talks? The Irish border issue explained
The main sticking point in Brexit negotiations is how to keep Britain's land border with the Republic of Ireland open after it leaves the European Union.
France, Germany dress down Poland over court reforms
France and Germany on Tuesday (16 October) condemned Poland for pressing ahead with controversial changes to its supreme court despite EU calls for restraint.
Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors targeted by new work requirements
Romanian prosecutors said they feared for their jobs and the rule of law after a new government ordinance increasing the years of professional experience required of them was published Tuesday (16 October).
Salvini brands Macron ‘international shame’ after police dump migrants across border
Italy's far right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini branded French President Macron "international shame" on Tuesday (16 October) for the French police having driven two migrants across its border and dumping them in Italy.
War on all fronts as May faces puzzle of Brexit Rubik’s cube
Although the EU-UK talks collapsed on Sunday (14 October), Prime Minister Theresa May will probably find out that brokering a final withdrawal deal with the bloc will actually be easier than successfully piloting it through the UK Parliament.
The Brief, powered by The International Bromine Council (BSEF) – The final nail in the Bonner Republik’s coffin
The end of the Christian Social Union's post-war political supremacy in Bavaria after the state election on 14 October can be described as the final nail in that uniquely German historical phenomenon called “Die Bonner Republik”.
French government reshuffle propels three new ministers into European arena
France has new ministers for agriculture, culture and the interior after a government reshuffle. The new portfolio-holders will be at the forefront of reforms to the CAP, copyright law and the European asylum system. EURACTIV France reports.
Ecologist parties are a hit in Europe
In Belgium, Luxembourg and Bavaria, the Greens have been the big winners at the weekend’s elections by attracting new voters. EURACTIV France’s media partner Ouest-France reports.