About: European Council
Costa and Centeno clash over euro budgetary instrument
Tensions between Portuguese prime minister, Antonio Costa, and his finance minister and Eurogroup president, Mario Centeno erupted in front of EU leaders on Friday (13 December) as the two clashed over the design of the eurozone budgetary instrument .
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.
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).
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).
EU leaders to call for strengthening of trade sanction toolbox
EU leaders will urge co-legislators in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to examine “as a matter of priority” the possibility to sanction countries breaching trade rules and blocking the dispute settlement process, according to the latest version of the summit conclusions seen by EURACTIV.
EU faces budget deadlock as national positions drift further away
The Commission's proposal for the EU's new long-term budget has been caught in the crossfire as net contributors criticise the idea of having to pay more while a number of southern and eastern member states have joined forces to oppose planned cuts in traditional policies.
EU approves Brexit ‘flextension’ until 31 January
The EU27 ambassadors agreed on Monday (28 October) to extend the Brexit negotiations for a further three months until 31 January although the UK will be able to leave as soon as the ratification of the withdrawal agreement is completed.
Summit concludes with no progress on EU’s long-term budget
EU leaders failed to narrow their differences over the EU's seven-year budget for 2021-27, the Multiannual Financial Framework, as member states maintained their entrenched positions on the EU’s spending volume and priorities.
Visegrad 4, North Macedonia in last-ditch effort to change French enlargement veto
In a last-ditch effort on Wednesday evening (16 October) before a decisive EU summit, the Visegrad Four and North Macedonian officials tried to sway the enlargement mood in Brussels.
EU and UK on brink of a Brexit deal despite Unionist concerns
The EU and UK are on the brink of a Brexit deal, but it is unclear whether the Democratic Unionist Party will agree to the new agreement, and when UK lawmakers will vote on the deal.
Leak: Capitals seek to reform EU summits to cope with Trump era
EU countries are working on a review of their summits to improve their efficiency amid the challenges posed by Donald Trump, China and other foreign actors, according to official notes seen by EURACTIV.com.
French Minister: ‘There is a long way to go’ on eurozone budget
France wants to make access to European funds conditional on the European minimum wage and respect for the rule of law, the state secretary for Europe, Amélie de Montchalin, told EURACTIV Slovakia in an interview.
MEPs furious over Council’s ‘backroom horse-trade’ on EU top jobs
Lawmakers of the newly constituted European Parliament slammed EU leaders on Thursday (4 July) for their 'backroom package deal' on the EU's top jobs, with a potential inter-institutional conflict looming ahead as the chamber's decision to approve it is on a knife-edge.
Former German justice minister will vote against von der Leyen
Former German Justice Minister Katarina Barley told EURACTIV in Strasbourg that she wants to vote against Ursula von der Leyen, the European Council's proposed candidate for the European Commission presidency. EURACTIV Germany reports.
In defiance of European Council, Parliament elects Italian Socialist as new president
The European Parliament elected Socialist David-Maria Sassoli as its new president and picked its extended leadership on Wednesday (3 July), after EU leaders trashed out a surprise package deal for the EU top jobs during a marathon summit the previous...
Charles Michel, the compromise builder
Embattled at home in politically divided Belgium, Mr Nice Guy on European stage - outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Chárles Michel, whom EU leaders designated to take over the European Council helm from Donald Tusk, might prove to be an unexpected, but suitable pick.
The Brief – Die another day
As exactly the time when Europe actually could prove its credibility and make it visible for the whole world, EU institutions have buried themselves in a trench war over the election of their new leadership.
Macron condemns EU Council summit as failure
At the end of the summit of EU28 leaders on Monday (1 July), French President Emmanuel Macron deplored the failure of the negotiations, saying that this blockade gave "a not-so-serious image of Europe". EURACTIV France reports.
EU leaders entrenched over top jobs as EPP rebels against Merkel
As morning broke on 1 July, EU leaders were still unable to reach consensus over the distribution of top European jobs as conservatives from Central and Eastern Europe rejected a plan, endorsed by Angela Merkel, that would have installed Socialist Frans Timmermans at the helm of the new Commission.
Austria’s interim chancellor won’t block the majority on EU top jobs
Federal Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein won't ask for special favours at an EU summit next Sunday (30 June) aimed at appointing the new President of the European Commission, except when it comes to one thing: Austria's next EU Commissioner. An analysis by Herbert Vytiska for EURACTIV Germany.
No deal on top jobs or climate neutrality at June summit
The June European Council was all about jobs. Leaders failed to fill the five available positions to lead the EU in the next mandate and to reach an agreement to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, which would lead to the creation of a million jobs, according to a European Commission assessment.
Rutte: ‘I will never support stabilisation mechanisms at euro level’
In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.com after the European Council, Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, said on Friday (21 June) that he "will never support" new budgetary instruments to stabilise the euro area if an economic shock hits the region.
Treaty against democracy: Franco-German arm wrestling reflects different political visions
The opposition between France and Germany over the appointment of the new European Commission president reflects their radically different political views. For France, the treaty and the best candidate matter the most, while for Germany, the priority is democracy. EURACTIV France reports.