About: Didier Reynders

Belgian Commissioner-pick faces corruption probe

The man Ursula von der Leyen chose to be her rule of law guard dog in the incoming European Commission is facing allegations of corruption and money-laundering, according to Belgian media. This could cast doubt on another member of her proposed college before all candidates are vetted by the European Parliament.

Vestager the digital chief in name, but Goulard in practice

The EU's Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager received broad support on Tuesday (10 September) following her nomination as the Commission's Executive Vice President for Digital.

Council of Europe assembly authorises Russia’s return

The Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly agreed Tuesday (25 June) to allow Russian representatives to return to the body, five years after it was stripped of its voting rights over the annexation of Crimea.

Belgian king names pointmen to help forge new government

King Philippe of Belgium on Thursday (30 May) tasked two politicians with exploring ways that a new government can be formed following elections in which a far-right party scored a surprise second place.

Speaker deals blow to May’s bid for 3rd ‘meaningful vote’

British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to get her EU divorce deal through parliament was hit Monday (18 March) with a bombshell announcement by the speaker, ruling MPs could not vote again on the same proposal they had already rejected.

Germany pronounces INF missile treaty dead

Germany said Friday that Russia had "de facto invalidated" a landmark Cold War missile reduction treaty which the US is poised to abandon, with Europe anxious at the prospect of a new arms race.

Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday (9 December) as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the UN migration compact.

EU will not lift visas unless Turkey eases terrorism laws

The European Union told Turkey today (16 February) it would not ease travel requirements for its citizens unless Ankara softens counter-terrorism laws that the bloc says are excessive.

Time for everyone to sign up for strong ocean governance

There is currently no legal mechanism for creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the high seas. A proposed agreement by the UN looks to rectify that, writes Sophie Mirgaux.

Belgians keep EU, Canada in suspense on CETA trade deal

Feuding Belgian politicians, keeping Canada and the European Union waiting, resume talks on Wednesday (26 October) with hopes fading that they will unblock the CETA free trade deal in time for a planned signing summit.

Belgian minister’s twitter feed hacked amid CETA tensions

The twitter account of Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders was hacked yesterday (18 October), his ministry said, just hours after EU ministers failed to agree on a trade deal with Canada due to opposition by Belgium.

Belgian PM defends budget ahead of confidence vote

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel on Sunday (16 October) defended his budget and vision for the future after tensions within the fractious coalition government nearly sank his programme earlier in the week.

Diplomats mock the ‘founding countries’ ministerial gatherings

Diplomats outside the group of the six founding members of the Union who have had meetings to discuss the future of the EU spoke ironically about the initiative.

Erdogan: Turkey deported one of the Brussels attacks perpetrators as a foreign fighter

One of the Brussels attackers was caught in Turkey in June last year and deported to the Netherlands as a foreign fighter, but Belgium let him loose, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yesterday (23 March).

Belgium says captured Paris suspect may have planned more attacks

The prime surviving suspect in the Paris attacks may have been plotting more operations with the help of a weapons cache and a network of associates, Belgium's foreign minister said yesterday (20 March).

Ministers call for boosting intel sharing to thwart ‘Terrorism 2.0’

Ministers demanded greater intelligence sharing to stop extremist groups slipping across borders to carry out attacks, urging concrete commitments at talks Monday to stem dangerous intel lapses.

Spaak: My father was tormented by the unanimity rule

EXCLUSIVE/ Paul-Henri Spaak, one of the European Union's founding fathers, was tormented by the unanimity rule, which still holds the EU hostage, his daughter Antoinette revealed. "We need a two-tier Europe," she told EURACTIV.

Belgium working to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

In his capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Didier Reynders visited both Armenia and Azerbaijan this week, with a focus on their ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Belgium defies Juncker with Commissioner nomination

Belgium will defy Jean-Claude Juncker tomorrow (4 September) by nominating outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders as its next Commissioner, despite the European Commission President-elect’s wishes for a female candidate.

Juncker starts interviews with Commissioner candidates

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday (2 September) met with the candidates for commissioners presented by the member states. Belgium, the only country that hasn’t yet submitted a candidacy, is expected to do so on 4 September.

Belgium considering Thyssen, Reynders for EU commissioner

As negotiations to form a new federal government following the 25 May elections are expected to come to fruition soon, the Belgian press reports that two politicians have emerged as possible Belgian commissioners: current caretaker foreign minister Didier Reynders, and MEP Marianne Thyssen.

Belgian coalition talks stumble over commissioner choice

The outgoing Belgian prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, has asked political parties engaged in government coalition talks to choose an EU commission nominee before Friday (1 August).

Slowly but surely on the path towards a federal European Union

Shared responsibility and solidarity are the two key words that will steer the European debate in the coming years as the European Union slowly moves towards a federal model, writes Didier Reynders.