About: Frans Timmermans
Socialists entrust Timmermans to replace Juncker at EU helm
Europe’s socialist parties on Saturday (8 December) chose Dutch politician Frans Timmermans to lead them in May elections and to succeed his boss Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission. Delegates voted in Timmermans, currently first vice president of the EU’s powerful...
Bulgarian socialist leader snubs PES forum in Lisbon
Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), announced on Thursday (6 December) she would not attend the Party of European Socialists congress in Lisbon, citing her ideological differences with the PES president, compatriot Sergei Stanishev.
‘Progressive alliance’ moves a step closer ahead of EU elections
The leaders of the Social Democrats (S&D), Greens and leftist group (GUE/NGL) sat for the first time at the same table to discuss the possibility of a common strategy ahead of the EU elections in May to face down the rise of far-right and neoliberal forces.
Parliament VP: We cannot ‘copy and paste’ Commission transparency rules
Talks between the European Parliament, Commission and Council about a mandatory transparency register - an attempt to regulate lobbying - have unfolded slowly. Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume explains her institution's position, after the Commission accused it of dragging its feet.
Commission lauds Bulgaria, castigates Romania on judicial reform
The European Commission published on Tuesday (13 November) reports on Bulgaria and Romania under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), commending Bulgaria for progress made and lambasting Romania for backtracking. Both countries, however, were warned to uphold media freedom.
How to #Spitzenkandidat
As the European elections loom closer, one question rings ever louder in the Brussels corridors: How will the Parliament’s main political groups choose their candidates for the EU’s top jobs?
Timmermans to be Socialist Spitzenkandidat after Sefcovic withdraws
Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans will be the lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists in next year's EU elections, the party announced on Monday (5 November) after his rival Maroš Šefčovič withdrew from the race and backed the Dutchman instead.
Commission urges Parliament, Council to move on transparency
The European Commission is unhappy with the lack of progress in negotiating its proposal for a mandatory transparency register with the European Parliament and Council and has urged the Parliament to consider making "meaningful" proposals before "our next political meeting", according to an official letter seen by EURACTIV.com.
Romania urged to heed rule of law before assuming EU presidency
The European Union on Tuesday warned Romania to respect EU democratic values before it assumes the bloc's rotating presidency in January, or risk undermining its bid to join Europe's passport-free zone.
Romania’s tug of war over rule of law nears the line
A power struggle between Romania’s government and judiciary is reaching a tipping point that risks driving a new wedge between the European Union and its eastern members over democratic standards. Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has said he will soon decide...
France, Germany dress down Poland over court reforms
France and Germany on Tuesday (16 October) condemned Poland for pressing ahead with controversial changes to its supreme court despite EU calls for restraint.
Tweets of the Week: Bono, Timmermans, and Juncker dancing
This week, Bono comes to Brussels to preach, Frans Timmermans thinks the Commission job’s in reach, and Jean Claude’s dance moves make the British Press screech.
Timmermans, the right-hand of Juncker, eyes EU throne
Frans Timmermans confirmed on Wednesday (10 October) that he wants to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission next year, dismissing concerns that he has made too many enemies to stand a fighting chance of succeeding his current boss.
Borissov lashes out at EU’s ‘unfair pressure’ over journalist murder
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (10 October) the murder of journalist Viktoria Marinova was of purely criminal nature and lashed out against what he called “European pressure”, warning that he would raise the issue at the European People's Party (EPP).
Polish PM Morawiecki: The Commission is breaking the dialogue with Poland
The Polish government "is constantly discussing the law on the Supreme Court" while the European Commission had decided "on a step that would hamper this dialogue to some extent", Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday (September 25). EURACTIV Poland reports.
MEPs trigger Article 7 against Hungary after evasive Juncker speech
MEPs voted en masse to trigger Article 7 proceedings against Hungary on Wednesday (12 September), although Jean-Claude Juncker's early morning Strasbourg speech failed to send much of a clear signal against Budapest's alleged rule of law violations.
Orbán divides EPP ahead of crucial European Parliament vote
The European Parliament held a highly incendiary debate about Hungary on Tuesday (11 September), ahead of a vote on whether to trigger Article 7 against the country, exposing serious internal divisions in the European Peoples’ Party, which includes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party.
Juncker: Orbán’s EPP membership ‘is a problem’
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker believes that the EPP membership of Hungary's ruling party, led by Viktor Orbán, "is a problem", according to reports by Italian media.
Death-knell for microplastics?
MEPs voted on Tuesday (10 July) to amend European Commission plans to cut plastic pollution and suggested a ban on microplastics in cosmetics and other products by 2020.
Poland’s defence of contested judicial changes leaves EU unconvinced
EU ministers held the first-ever Article 7 hearing in Luxembourg on Tuesday (June 26) to determine the state of play in the rule of law dispute between Brussels and Poland. The EU remains unconvinced by Poland's recent efforts, with everyone waiting to see if and how a crucial judicial reform will go ahead on 3 July.
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).
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.
Open letters to Commission call for action in Polish rule of law dispute
Two separate letters, signed by MEPs across the political spectrum and former Polish leaders, demand that the Commission take swift action to halt a controversial judiciary reform in Poland, already closely watched by Brussels for fears that it threatens the basic democratic rules.