About: European Parliament
Timmermans: Increasing transparency on lobbying will boost credibility of institutions
European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans insisted on the need to implement full transparency about lobbying in all European institutions, including the Parliament and the Council, at a conference on Thursday (21 June).
Commission sheds some light on cohesion policy reform
The European Commission cleared up some of the details of its proposal to reform cohesion policy in the next EU long-term budget during a second round of discussion with MEPs on Wednesday (21 June).
Poland faces turbulent months at home and in EU
Will the European Union continue to allow the Polish government to deceive it over violations of the rule of law? Will the opposition manage to consolidate? Will Jarosław Kaczyński return to Polish politics? The fate of Polish democracy could be decided over the coming months. EURACTIV'S media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
EPP gets another top job: Finland’s Itala to head OLAF
Finland’s Ville Itälä will be the new director-general of OLAF, the EU’s anti-fraud office. He comes from the Finnish Kokoomus party, affiliated with the centre-right European Peoples’ Party (EPP) and will move to Olaf from his current post with the European Court of Auditors.
Cañete: EU ‘de facto’ upping carbon reduction pledge to -45%
The EU's top energy and climate official revealed on Wednesday (20 June) that the bloc is now set to increase its emissions reduction pledge from 40% by 2030 to 45%, after EU negotiators sealed agreements on three clean energy laws in the past fortnight.
Asylum reform: ‘Europe United’ must unite refugee families
On World Refugee Day (20 June), it is important to touch upon the sensitive issue of uniting families at a time when separation is happening on the US border. However, separation is also a consequence of the Dublin regulation, which must be reformed, writes Iverna Mc Gowan.
Energy savings law limps across the finish line
EU negotiators finally signed off on new energy efficiency rules Tuesday evening (19 June), as Bulgaria's EU Presidency wrapped up another clean energy file. But some of the concessions made by MEPs have already provoked criticism.
New Czech government in jeopardy over foreign minister nomination
The Czech Communist party will withhold support from the next government if the Social Democrats stick to their nominee for the post of foreign minister, Communist leader Vojtech Filip said on Sunday (17 June).
MEPs condemn Hungary’s post-Cotonou agreement blockade
Hungary continues to block the European mandate to begin negotiations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, to the great displeasure of MEPs. EURACTIV.fr reports.
MEP: In the long term, migrants will be part of solution in Europe
More and more voices are calling for an urgent reform of the strained Dublin asylum system as migrants continue arriving across the Mediterranean and migration takes centre stage in Europe again.
Trans-Europe Express – Migration is here to stay
Never before since becoming Germany’s Chancellor in 2005 has Angela Merkel been as close to losing power than on Thursday (14 June). And the reason was migration.
Tweets of the Week: G7 Summit, The Strasbourg Train and Aquarius
G7 Summit shows international strain, if you’re going to Strasbourg, maybe don’t take the train and Euroean Plenary talks migration again. It wasn’t quite the last supper, but the G7 Summit certainly had a finality about it. I knew the...
Military industry fund could encourage development and export of controversial weaponry
The EU is about to agree a shared military industry fund which will give billions to arms companies and exacerbate the global arms race. Presented as a key step to strengthen the EU, instead, it enshrines renewed prevalence of national interests in a hard-security context, writes Laëtitia Sédou.
Truck drivers could pay the price for EU compromise on posted workers
Two draft laws which will be voted on during the European Parliament's plenary session on Thursday (14 June) could lead to more job insecurity for lorry drivers. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Rutte rejects Commission’s new funds for monetary union
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Wednesday (13 June) the EU should use the tools that are already available to support reforms and protect the euro, in his latest criticism of proposals to deepen the bloc's integration.
Mogherini hails Trump-Kim talks, but reminds Iran deal was part of ‘same diplomatic track’
The EU on Tuesday (12 June) praised the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a "crucial and necessary step" for denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but also reminded that the Iran nuclear deal was part of the same diplomatic track.
Verhofstadt threatens to take Council to court for ‘failure to act’ on asylum reform
The European Parliament debated the priorities for Europe on Tuesday, ahead of a crucial EU summit due on 28-29 June. Among those priorities, the reform of the Dublin regulation seems the most pressing and MEPs urged EU leaders to find an agreement on the asylum system.
Does France take its fair share of migrants?
France is the third European country in terms of asylum applications received but is only 26th out of 28 when it comes to acceptance rate. EURACTIV.fr reports.
EU parliament’s ‘gravy train’ hits the buffers
Hundreds of European lawmakers and officials were left stranded for hours on Monday when an electrical fault halted their train to the EU parliament in the eastern French city of Strasbourg.
The Brief, powered by Yara – Strasbourg single seat silliness
Relocating the European Parliament to Strasbourg every month is a waste of time and money. You know it, I know it, we all know it. But France refuses to let go. Instead of holding on to it, Macron should start using it as a bargaining chip.
Erasmus days bring together young people from Strasbourg to Kampala
The Erasmus Days in October are an opportunity for the European Parliament to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming European elections next May. As many as 72% of those under 25 did not vote in the previous elections in 2014. EURACTIV.fr reports.
EU must engage with Azerbaijan or Putin will
Azerbaijan’s strategic yet precarious geopolitical location and situation are such that the country deserves EU support, especially in light of growing tensions with Russia and Iran, writes Jan Zahradil MEP.
Abolish Dublin Regulation for a humane asylum system built on solidarity
The European Parliament and the Council will soon negotiate a revision of the Dublin regulation, concerning the EU's asylum system. This is an opportunity for the EU to develop a more humane system based on objective criteria, and for every member state to take its share of responsibility, writes Cornelia Ernst.