About: Neelie Kroes
Education is the best way to tackle fake news – Neelie Kroes
Education is the best way to confront fake news but regulation also plays a part and freedom of speech should not take precedence over the need to remove inflammatory content and hate speech, former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes told EURACTIV.com.
Communication: The weak part of European integration
The European Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe is a sad confirmation of the absence of a future vision and leadership, writes Stavros Papagianneas.
New EU digital Commissioner adds cabinet members
Less than one month after taking office, the newest EU Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, has filled several spots in her cabinet.
OLAF investigates EU leaders in Panama Papers scandal
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) is investigating several European politicians and high-ranking civil servants for tax evasion, using information leaked in the Panama Papers scandal. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.
Greens slam Commission for blocking Panama Papers probe
MEPs from the Greens/EFA group voiced frustration today (2 February) with being blocked in their investigation of the Panama Papers and on the ways in which money laundering and tax evasion are made possible in the European Union.
Campaigners: Commission ethics group needs teeth after Barroso/Kroes scandals
A small, internal group that reviews ethics breaches at the European Commission should be turned into a legal inquiry board and given its own staff to better police potential scandals like former President Jose Manuel Barroso's lobbying job with Goldman Sachs, transparency campaigners contend.
Brussels reprimands ex-commissioner Kroes, recoups cash
The EU handed an unprecedented public reprimand to a former commissioner on Wednesday (21 December) for taking allowances she was not entitled to but stopped short of legal action after recouping the money.
The Brief: Commission shows off massive Winter Package
The European Commission revealed its “very impressive package” of energy rules today. While it is undeniably huge, size doesn’t matter, it's what member states and MEPs do with it that counts.
After Barroso row, Juncker proposes tighter EU ethics rules
The European Commission proposed yesterday (23 November) lengthening the period of time its own former leaders must wait before taking up new jobs, following public uproar over its last president going to work for Goldman Sachs.
Barroso cleared of wrongdoing by EU ethics committee
Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso did not breach EU ethics rules but he may have been unwise to take a controversial top job at US investment bank Goldman Sachs after leaving office, an EU panel said today (31 October).
Parliament freezes Commissioners’ pensions over code of conduct row
EXCLUSIVE / MEPs have responded to the recent conflicts of interest concerning members of the Barroso Commission by freezing part of the allowance granted to former Commissioners at the end of their mandate. EURACTIV France reports.
The Brief: Commissioner mocks Chinese and gay marriage
Digital Commissioner Günther Oettinger has mocked the Chinese, gay marriage, and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder’s divorce in a shock speech.
Journalistic investigation digs into Commissioner Georgieva’s past
A journalistic investigation alleges Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva, who was a candidate for UN Secretary General, has skeletons in her closet. The study also suggests that the EU keeps appointing leadership figures without vetting them.
Parliament calls for tougher action to stop Commission’s revolving doors
EU lawmakers have demanded the European executive strengthen its code of conduct for Commissioners, following the repeated revolving door scandals involving former members of the Barroso Commission. EURACTIV France reports.
Panama Papers inquiry sets its sights on Neelie Kroes
The new committee of inquiry into the Panama Papers has voted to stretch its mandate to cover the Bahamas leaks, the latest offshore revelations which directly implicate the former Commissioner Neelie Kroes. EURACTIV France reports.
EU’s ‘anti-leaks strategy’ leaked
EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission will launch an “anti-leaks strategy” on Friday (30 September) to prevent key policy documents being circulated to the media, and avoid further “reputational damage” to the EU's flagship institution, EURACTIV.com has learned.
Commission ready to sanction Kroes after missing her confession
The European Commission said there was "scope" to slap sanctions on its former competition policy chief Neelie Kroes, embroiled in the Bahamas Leaks scandal, after taking five days to react to an e-mail where she confessed having transgressed the rules.
Former Commissioner Kroes named in new offshore leak
Former European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, once Brussels' most feared corporate watchdog, failed to declare her directorship of an offshore firm, leaked files showed yesterday (21 September).
Barroso riles against ‘discriminatory’ EU in Goldman Sachs row
Former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso on Tuesday (13 September) accused Brussels of discrimination after it ordered an ethics probe into his new role at US investment bank Goldman Sachs.
Vestager under fire from predecessor Kroes over Apple ruling
Ex-Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes slammed the EU for concluding that Apple owes Ireland €13 billion, calling the decision “fundamentally unfair”. The European Commission replied that Kroes was wrong, and that she was speaking on behalf of Silicon Valley.
Commission’s private-sector ‘revolving door’ should work in public interest
Former Commission President Barroso’s job offer at Goldman Sachs has prompted outrage. But the real problem is the EU’s lack of transparency and democratic oversight. Interaction with the private sector through the so-called “revolving door” should be encouraged, write Katinka Brouwer, Penelope Bergkamp and Dr Lucas Bergkamp.
EU institutions start large-scale move towards cloud services
EU institutions are getting ready to move data to cloud services as part of the first broad, European Commission-backed push for government cloud computing.
EU internet freedom programme endangered by Commission muddle
EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission appears to have shelved a landmark programme that gave out aid money to help human rights workers, protestors and journalists access the internet.