About: Brando Benifei

Future of Europe conference ‘not a listening exercise without consequences’, says leading MEP

“Governments are obliged to react, they cannot bypass citizens’ proposals”, Italian socialist MEP Brando Benifei told EURACTIV in an interview on the Conference on the Future of Europe.

How Italy’s government deal was received in Brussels

After Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte was granted a mandate to form a new government with the Five Star Movement (M5S) and Democratic Party (PD), EURACTIV.com spoke with Italian MEPs from the parties involved in the summer political crisis to find out about the reaction in Brussels.

Salvini’s lawmaker threatens to purge an EU official, MEPs ask him to apologise

Several Italian MEPs have voiced concern and criticism after a lawmaker from Matteo Salvini’s ruling Lega party hinted at the possibility of removing an EU civil servant from his duties, after having had an argument with him on Twitter.

Never mind ‘hard’ or ‘soft’, Brexit must not be brutal on youth

Never mind ‘hard’ or ‘soft’, an Italian MEP has warned against a ‘brutal’ Brexit.

The Presidency debate: Social inclusion

After years of austerity, confidence in Europe's capacity to care for the weakest and most disadvantaged has come under close scrutiny. The Maltese presidency pledges to lead by example advancing Europe social policy in close consultation with social partners, civil society and citizens.

Commission launches youth volunteer ‘solidarity’ corps

European? Aged 18-30? Unemployed? Want to work abroad for pocket money? The EU's new Solidarity Corps may be for you.

As it happened: Six to-dos for sustainable European media

How can independent media survive across Europe? EURACTIV releases six recommendations in January 2015 for a more effective EU strategy towards media and the fourth estate.

Europe needs to breed its own Zuckerbergs!

We need more European funds for innovation. We must strengthen collaboration among potential beneficiaries. We shall give young innovators the chance they deserve to build up the basis of Europe's smart growth. These are some of the conclusions that Brando Benifei MEP and Victor Negrescu MEP draw following on the discussions at last week's Knowledge4Innovation Summit.

MEPs load their guns for EU commissioner hearings

European parliament committees expressed their concerns about the structure, portfolios and competences of candidates in written questions to the 27 commissioners-designate. The queries were sent to the candidates last week as part of the approval process of the new Juncker Commission.

Special Olympics torch stops in Brussels EU’s district

SPECIAL REPORT: The Olympic flame arrived for the first time in Belgium as part of the Special Olympics European summer games on Tuesday (9 September), turning attention to an event few people in the EU sphere had heard of until now.