Kira Peter-Hansen discusses her introduction and first weeks in the European Parliament as well as her hopes and expectations for the 5 years to come.
About: European Parliament
Is the EU-Mercosur deal being highjacked by premature criticism?
Almost a month ago, the European Commission signed a free trade agreement with the South American trade alliance Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). Since then, criticism has hailed, and not only from protectionists. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Transport committee chair: The aim is to put climate on political agenda in all sectors
In an interview with EURACTIV's partner le Journal de l'Environnement, the newly elected chair of the European Parliament's committee on transport and tourism (TRAN), French Green MEP Karima Delli, spoke about her new priorities. These include relaunching the rail system, regulating transport in a climate-friendly manner and reducing car pollution.
The balance of powers in the new European Parliament
With majorities in the European Parliament becoming more unstable, votes are becoming more unpredictable. The power structure has shifted considerably as a result of the European elections. While the liberal group Renew Europe will likely be decisive, German MEPs are set to be the most influential. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Parliament’s top jobs at a glance
All boxes of the European Parliament's complex power-sharing puzzle have now been ticked, after last week's appointment of Slovak conservative Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová as chairwomen of the Social Affairs Committee. EURACTIV brings you all chairs of the Parliament's 22 committees at a glance.
Macron’s MEPs try to make a name for themselves
Internal discipline, "cordon sanitaire" against nationalist parties, assertiveness on environmental matters. So far, Macron's deputies in the European Parliament have shown a conception of European politics that breaks from French tradition. EURACTIV France reports.
Von der Leyen confirmed as new Commission president by paper-thin majority
Updates with von der Leyen’s first press conference The European Parliament confirmed on Tuesday (16 July) Ursula von der Leyen by a paper-thin majority as the new European Commission president, giving her the reins of the EU executive for the...
Von der Leyen likely to be confirmed as she wins majority of Socialists
A large majority of Socialist MEPs were ready to support Ursula von der Leyen to become the next president of European Commission, paving the way for her confirmation during the vote scheduled for Tuesday evening (16 July).
Von der Leyen leans on gender balance in quest for Commission presidency
In her first speech before the European Parliament on Tuesday (16 July), Ursula von der Leyen made gender equality a cornerstone of her case to be appointed as the first female European Commission president. And she received support for that from across the political spectrum.
Selmayr’s departure: Just in time for von der Leyen’s election?
European Commission Secretary-General Martin Selmayr, whose sudden promotion angered MEPs last year and earned a rebuke from the European Ombudsman, will step down from his post next week, a spokeswoman for the EU executive said on Tuesday (16 July).
Von der Leyen woos Socialists, Greens, upsets her own EPP
The speech by Commission President designate Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday (16 July) in front of the MEPs before their vote to confirm or reject her nomination was hailed as a major step forward both by S&D and the Greens, but raised eyebrows in the EPP ranks.
Suspense: Will EU Commission nominee survive Parliament vote?
This is the question on everyone's lips as EU Commission President nominee Ursula von der Leyen faces a confirmation vote in the European Parliament on Tuesday (16 July). While some political groups are openly against her, others are divided, for different reasons.
MEP: Green agriculture movement in Germany is growing fast
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Greens/EFA’s spokesperson in the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and member of the Environment Committee Martin Häusling spoke about the potential influence Germany could have on the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
EPP set to lose influence in von der Leyen Commission
If Ursula von der Leyen is approved as European Commission president this week, her own centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) may actually lose influence in the next EU executive, given the political affiliation of the candidates likely to form the bulk of her senior staff.
French MEP: When it comes to the environment, the future CAP is regressive
In an interview with EURACTIV France, French MEP and vice-chair of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group Eric Andrieu spoke about the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and highlighted its lack of environmentally-focused provisions.
Von der Leyen endures day of grilling by MEPs ahead of confirmation vote
German nominee for Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, continued her charm offensive with European political families on Wednesday (10 July), as MEPs tried hard to pin her down on climate protection, rule of law and reform of the bloc's institutional structures.
Juncker will need to accept replacement Commissioners from Romania, Estonia
Faced with opposition from the member states, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was unable to block the replacement of the Romanian and Estonian commissioners, who were elected as MEPs and already took their MEP seats.
Sassoli ‘reasonably optimistic’ for von der Leyen vote
The European Parliament's new president, David Sassoli, is “reasonably optimistic” about the vote on whether to confirm Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president next week, EU sources told EURACTIV.com.
Power-sharing puzzle solved: Who will chair parliamentary committees?
EURACTIV has pieced together the names of already designated and potential candidates for chairing the European Parliament’s 20 committees and two sub-committees, before their formal election on Wednesday (10 July).
Greens set conditions to approve nominee von der Leyen
The European Greens have set tough conditions for giving their approval to designated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who started her charm offensive among political parties in Brussels on Monday (7 July), ahead of next week's vote in the European Parliament.
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.
MEPs to block Le Pen’s party from taking Parliament jobs
Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National and its allies are facing protest from the European Parliament's political groups, who are refusing to involve the French far-right party in a process that will decide on the Parliament's key positions. EURACTIV France 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...