About: European Council
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.
Keller: ‘It’s not possible that we never had a female Commission president’
Ska Keller is a German Green MEP and co-president of the Greens and European Free Alliance (EFA). The Greens’ unexpected success in the EU elections, combined with the continued decline of the Socialists and Conservatives, means they might emerge as kingmakers.
‘Institutional crisis’ if EU doesn’t pick Spitzenkandidat, EPP warns
EU member states risk plunging the blog into an "institutional crisis," should they decide to abandon the Spitzenkandidat process of selecting the next President of the European Commission, a senior EPP source has told EURACTIV.
Europeans have chosen to protect the environment and EU leaders should listen
The European Council should take the result of the European elections seriously and ensure that the EU's goals and budget are future-oriented, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and environment, write Dr Raphael Weyland and Konstantin Kreiser.
EXCLUSIVE: What countries really think of the EU’s strategic agenda
EU member states broadly supported priorities highlighted for the next five years, although they called for a more “positive” vision. Despite the demands made by the capitals, the latest version only included few changes, according to the latest draft and the minutes seen by EURACTIV.
EU elections: what’s next
Following the European elections in May, MEPs and EU member states will shape the transition into the new term. These are the next steps towards the formation of the Parliament and the Commission.
Gender balance becomes paramount in race for top EU jobs
Initial battle lines were drawn between member states over who will replace Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission President on Tuesday (28 May) as EU leaders met to discuss “no names, just process”, in preparation for a decisive summit in June.
Parliament calls for Spitzenkandidat to be respected, liberals oppose it
The process of naming the next Commission president should respect the Spitzenkandidaten system, the leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament said in a joint statement on Tuesday (28 May), despite opposition from the liberal ALDE group.
The race for EU top posts heats up
Familiar faces and new names will be competing for the EU’s top jobs, as capitals are starting to manoeuvre and prepare the ground for their preferred candidates, EURACTIV has found out after talking to EU officials and diplomats.
EU to use China as guinea pig to monitor bilateral summit deals
EU member states have decided to set up a new mechanism to monitor China's progress in implementing agreed commitments, with the aim of extending such controls to other bilateral relations, according to documents seen by EURACTIV.
Climate change efforts set for disappointing EU summit in June
A small group of EU countries is pushing for the European Council to come down hard on climate change at an EU summit in June, EURACTIV.com has learned. But chances are slim that it will be a defining moment for the bloc’s environmental credentials.
EU leaders to kill plans for smaller Commission in June summit
EU leaders are expected to ditch the idea of having fewer Commissioners, recommended by the Treaty, in a June summit that could struggle to find consensus on the distribution of top posts given the “full agenda”, sources told EURACTIV.com
Tusk asks MEPs to stand for ‘remainers’ ahead of crucial votes in London
If the British parliament does not represent those who want to remain in the EU, the European Parliament should, European Council president Donald Tusk told EU lawmakers on Wednesday (27 March) in Strasbourg.
‘Don’t be naive with China’, EU leaders tell Italy
EU leaders displayed a united front toward China on Friday (22 March) and warned the Italian government of the consequences of signing a bilateral deal with Beijing to become part of the new ‘Silk Road’.
Back May’s Brexit deal and you get more time, EU leaders tell Westminster
EU leaders will grant the United Kingdom a possible eight-week delay to Brexit provided that the House of Commons passes the Withdrawal Agreement next week, according to conclusions agreed the European Council summit on late Thursday (21 March) night.
Europe’s democratic challenge: in search of government
Europe is about democracy. We cherish democracy in our national institutions by ensuring a healthy separation of powers, by fighting for free and fair elections, and by combining the rule of the majority with the protection of the minority, write Louis Drounau and Andrew Duff.
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.
Member states support tougher stance toward China despite warnings
EU’s foreign affairs ministers expressed their “full support”on Monday (18 March) to the EU’s new stance toward China, described as “systemic rival”, as the bloc seeks to rebalance its economic and trade relationship with Beijing.
European Defence Fund talks reveal rift over EU’s defence future
EU lawmakers failed to seal an agreement on the future of the European Defence Fund (EDF) despite a nine hour negotiation session last week.
Make lobbying in the EU truly transparent
The Commission is a good example of transparency for other institutions, such as the Parliament and the Council, Frans Timmermans writes.