About: FebruarySummit
Juncker warns of cuts to MFF despite member states’ promised additional cash
Most EU leaders accepted on Friday (23 February) that they will add more funds to the EU budget after 2020, but European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that funds for farmers and cohesion would still be reduced.
Rift between Juncker and Tusk deepens over Spitzenkandidat process
EU leaders have dealt a blow to the controversial Spitzenkandidat system of electing a European Commission president, setting themselves up for a fight with the European Parliament. The rift between Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council chief Donald Tusk deepened as the two officials clashed over the process.
EU-Turkey Varna summit becomes conditional
Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades succeded on Friday (23 February) in convincing his colleagues at the EU summit to make a planned “leaders’ meeting” with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Varna conditional on stopping “illegal violations” in the Cypriot economic zone.
The Brief – Brok scores own goal in the federalist camp
If you've ever wondered what would be the equivalent of an own goal in EU politics, here is a recent example.
Borissov: Turkey summit will be ‘extremely difficult’
An upcoming summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Bulgarian city of Varna in March will be a "heavy experience", Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told journalists on Friday (23 February), ahead of the informal EU summit.
EU budget post 2020: Fortress Europe or a budget for working people?
One of the main discussion points of the informal summit in Brussels on 23 February is the EU's post-2020 long-term budget, however the topics to be debated on the matter are limited and do not take into account the Pillar of Social Rights, writes Thiébaut Weber.
Security and development join forces in the Sahel
Military matters will dominate the agenda of the summit on the Sahel region in Brussels on Friday (23 February), but there will also be talks on strengthening development aid in the region. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Why rejecting transnational lists has been a missed opportunity for European democracy
Closed pan-European lists would be a game changer in how European citizens identify with EU politics, write Angelos Chryssogelos and Malgorzata Staniaszek.
The Brief – Time waits for no Tory
Theresa May gathered her ministers for yet another unfortunately titled Brexit ‘war cabinet’ at her country retreat on Thursday. Nobody in Brussels is holding their breath. Nor do May’s ministers appear to be in any great hurry to agree on a long-awaited negotiating position.
EU summit to stay away from anything requiring treaty change
The informal EU-27 summit on Friday (23 February) will discuss the preparation of the 2019 European elections, institutional issues and the next long-term EU budget. But diplomats said the leaders would steer clear of any big decisions that would require treaty change.
Macron’s agenda for the informal summit
If the implementation of transnational lists for the 2019 European elections does not appear to be panning out as Emmanuel Macron wished, the French president now hopes to gain the upper hand on the appointment of the next European Commission president. EURACTIV.fr reports
The Brief – Kartenhaus von Selmayr
For those who like to describe the EU bubble as the European version of ‘House of Cards’, today we saw its season’s finale. Our very own Frank Underwood secured a post to prolong his power and influence beyond the expected expiry date.
EU to lead funding demand for Sahel force
The European Commission is hoping to drum up further funds for a joint military force tasking with combating jihadist groups in the Sahel at a funding conference in Brussels on Friday (23 February).
The Brief – Run, MFF, run
Optimism is a moral duty, especially when Commissioners and MEPs set their sights on brokering the EU's long-term budget in record time.
Seeking post-Brexit unity, EU leaders find more fights
EU leaders face difficult talks this week on the thorny issues of how to plug holes in the post-Brexit budget and choose a successor for European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.
Juncker jabs at Macron as EU jobs race heats up
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker chided French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday (14 February) for failing to form clear Europe-wide party political alliances, as manoeuvring warms up over next year's EU parliament elections.