About: member states

European citizens have shown strong willingness to move Europe forward – WeEuropeans consultation initiator

What do European citizens expect of the European Union? As the elections officially began on 23 May in the UK and the Netherlands, EURACTIV spoke to Guillaume Klossa, president of the Civico Europa citizen movement, which launched the WeEuropeans consultation in 27 European Union countries.

Green leader urges member states to respect Parliament on migration

Ahead of a crucial EU summit largely dedicated to migration, Ska Keller, co-chair of the Greens/EFA group at the European Parliament, urged member states to move forward on the migration issue and take their cue from what MEPs have already agreed, she told EURACTIV.com.

What kind of budget do Europeans need?

The EU's new multiannual budget must reflect its new ambitions. Europe must assert itself as a geopolitical entity, as a democratic power with not only an economic dimension but social and cultural as well, writes MEP Maria João Rodrigues.  

The misguided logic of digital taxation

The European Commission’s proposal on digital taxation demonstrates a completely new logic of taxation. It contains all the wrongs you can achieve in one proposal, writes Gunnar Hökmark. 

It’s time for an EU fund for fundamental rights!

Fundamental rights and values are currently under attack across the European Union. In order to work in these aggravated conditions, funding is often key, writes Terry Reintke.

EU elections: Latest across Europe

Nationals of the UK and the Netherlands stated voting today (22nd May) in the European elections. The UK holds combined local and European elections. On 23 May, EU elections will be held in Ireland and will also hold local elections. On Saturday, Latvians, Maltese and Slovaks will vote, as well as the French citizens from overseas territories.

Renzi’s big moment

The timing, manner and substance of Matteo Renzi’s rise to power is troubling, writes Kevin Lees.

EU elections will be tough again on parties in government, experts say

EU elections are often regarded as second-rate polls in which national politics plays a bigger role than Europe, making it a test for parties in government. With less than 100 days to go, EURACTIV looks at the power balance in Europe and how that could affect the European institutions' next mandate.

INFOGRAPHIC: Balance of power in European governments

Across Europe, parties in government and opposition forces will rally support and lure voters on 22-25 May. With less than 100 days to go before the voters cast their ballot, EURACTIV presents an overview of where the balance of power lies in EU countries. See related article.

Reform of European schools: parents welcome ‘first victory’

The board of governors of the European schools, used by EU officials, on Wednesday (4 December) decided to postpone further reforms to the secondary curriculum, following complaints of parents’ organisations that the changes aimed for cost-cutting, not better education.

Corporate transparency part of the solution

Information on companies’ performance and prospects is of key interest to investors, decision-makers, the citizen and consumer; so why are member states now blocking corporate social responsibility rules, Jérome Chaplier wonders.

South and east left behind as EU eyecare improves

SPECIAL REPORT / Citizens of Central and Eastern Europe are three times as likely to suffer from blindness or severe visual impairment than the rest of Europe, where the risk has been falling gradually, new data reveals.

Who is ultimately responsible for EU immigrants?

Europe’s asylum issue is clouded by a north-south divide between EU member states. As some of them face mounting economic, political and security pressures, unilateral decisions will become increasingly frequent, and so the question arises: who is ultimately responsible for Europe’s immigrants?

Member states approve €10 billion capital increase for EIB

The 27 EU member states have unanimously approved a €10 billion capital increase into the European Investment Bank (EIB), making good on a June EU summit pledge for a "European Growth Pact" pushed by French President François Hollande.

Moving without removing: The blind spot in the European single market

Sweden's decision to discriminate between consumers in the same country in order to avoid discriminating between consumers in two different EU member states raises several concerns about the single market, argue Joakim Nergelius and Gustav Lorentz.

EU staff to strike over budget cuts, threaten to hit summit

Thousands of staff members working at the EU institutions are expected to go on strike in Brussels today (8 November) to protest against potential budget cuts. If unsuccessful, unions plan another strike during the EU summit later this month.

Regional independence: Opening Pandora’s box

It is too simplistic to propose that a region could simply remain in the European Union after seceding from its EU member state and that the ‘evaporation theory’ of Belgium's New Flemish Alliance cannot adequately grasp all the political and legal problems which such a scenario would entail, say Guillaume Van der Loo and Merijn Chamon.

Regional tensions within EU countries

The European crisis has exposed the financial fragility of the EU's regions and municipalities, which in turn is a reflection of these countries' economic vulnerability. The crisis has also laid bare the disparities between regions and threatens to destroy the solidarity that unites the different regions of a state, argues Stratfor.

Audit urges stronger enforcement of organic foods

Consumers who are willing to pay extra for organic fruits, vegetables and other goods may not always get what they are hoped for due to lax oversight in some EU countries.

Energy efficiency negotiations enter final phase

The energy efficiency bill is entering its final round of amendments, as the first talks between the European Commission, Parliament and Council will commence in an informal meeting tomorrow (11 April).

EU deal gives Parliament extended powers

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has agreed to new terms in the European Parliament's relations with the EU executive, giving the assembly more power to scrutinise laws and raise its profile vis-à-vis member states.

EU nations scrambling to support small firms during crisis

Faced with reluctant credit markets, late-paying clients and sagging consumer confidence, businesses are looking to governments to help them through turbulent times. EURACTIV's media network takes a look at the situation in key countries across Europe.

Few EU expats to vote locally in June elections

Since the introduction of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, EU citizens residing in other member states have been entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament. But in 20 of the 27 countries, only a few of them have registered to do so, EURACTIV has learned.