Daniel Eck
Macron prepares counter-offensive for Brussels
French President Emmanuel Macron will only choose the new French candidate for the European Commission after an EU summit on 17-18 October, where he intends to secure political support from the European Parliament. EURACTIV France reports.
Contaminated meat scandal exposes Germany’s food safety flaws
Three people died because bacteria-contaminated food from a meat producer was sold on the European market. Although the authorities knew about the bacterial discovery, the company was only closed after two weeks. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Macron plays appeasement card after Goulard’s rejection
After an initial outburst, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to ease tensions on Sunday (13 October) following the rejection last week of his protégée Sylvie Goulard as France's candidate for the European Commission. EURACTIV France reports.
International alliance of cities commits to tackling air pollution
Poor air quality causes 422,000 premature deaths deaths each year in Europe and EU member states have repeatedly been singled out for exceeding pollution thresholds. At the C40 Summit on Friday (11 October), 35 cities decided to take the matter into their own hands. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany is a ‘developing country’ when it comes to tobacco regulation, expert says
While Germany is being branded a 'developing country' in terms of tobacco regulation, experts warn that a new wave of cancer illnesses may be related to the consumption of E-cigarettes. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Fourteen mayors sign declaration to promote sustainable food policies in their cities
Fourteen cities announced on Thursday (10 October) that they would pay particular attention to the sustainable and healthy food supply in their cities in the future. This way, they aim to save 60% of the carbon emissions in the food sector. EURACTIV Germany reports.
A hair’s breadth from a massacre: a closer look at the Synagogue shooting in Germany
A gunman killed two people and injured several on Wednesday, but his failure to open the Synagogue's door spared the German city of Halle from a massacre. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Why the European Parliament rejected Sylvie Goulard
The parliamentary committees rejected the candidacy of France's Sylvie Goulard for the Commissioner's post, officially on ethical grounds. However, her refusal is also a sign that German conservatives are finding it difficult to trust French President Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
Cities will be key in the fight against climate change, UN chief says
Mayors from all over the world are meeting in Copenhagen this week for the C40 World Mayors Summit. They have gathered to fight the so-called 'climate urgency' and are calling for a "Green New Deal" to be implemented worldwide. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU Socialists could save Sylvie Goulard from long-winded saga
France’s European Commissioner-designate, Sylvie Goulard, will have to undergo another hearing on Thursday (10 October). Although the Greens and conservatives do not trust the French candidate, the last-minute support from the S&D group might save her after this tumultuous week. EURACTIV France reports.
Austria’s Kurz on quest to form government coalition
Sebastian Kurz, Austria's conservative Chancellor who was re-elected on 30 September after being ousted in May, has been meeting with potential coalition partners. With the Austrian Freedom Party preferring to join the opposition and the social democrats still hesitant, the Greens may become a new partner. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France to convince member states on size of eurozone budget
Since the June agreement on the eurozone budget, blockages have persisted between the 19 members of the euro area. But France is now taking an active role in persuading the others of the need to pin down practical details. EURACTIV France reports.
A clear, credible climate protection law is good for business, German expert says
In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Karsten Neuhoff, a climate expert and professor, spoke about Germany's hotly-debated climate protection bill, stressing that a clear regulatory framework with "clear and credible paths for reducing emissions" is attractive for businesses.
French government revisits migrant quota question
The first debates held in the French National Assembly led the government to suggest that the criteria for family reunification, which allow refugees to bring their families, should be "tightened". EURACTIV France reports.
Climate activists to block European cities for the week
Protests by climate activists took place in 60 cities around the world on Monday (7 October). The Extinction Rebellion movement has announced its intention to block Berlin for a week as it wants to urge politicians to do more to protect the climate. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany’s steel industry not changing practices despite pressure to go green
Germany's energy-intensive steel industry needs to reinvent itself so that it can meet European climate targets and remain competitive. However, there is still a long road to go before the sector goes green. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Sylvie Goulard still to convince MEPs in ‘do or die’ week
After a rough ride last week (2 October), France’s European Commissioner-designate, Sylvie Goulard, has a last chance to convince the European Parliament by answering a new set of questions in writing or by facing the music at the end of this week. EURACTIV France reports.
Will Germany block EIB plans to ditch natural gas?
The European Investment Bank wants to purge its loan books of fossil fuels, including natural gas, by 2020. Although the Bank's final decision is expected to be delivered on 15 October, resistance, especially from Germany, is brewing. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German government wants to weaken country’s proposed climate protection goals
Although many have called for improvements to the German climate package, the government wants to impose a weaker formulation of the core climate protection goals. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
The impact of US sanctions on European goods: a closer look
Scotch single malt whisky, German decals, Spanish stuffed olives, British cotton bed linen... These products have one thing in common: the US plans to tax them at 25%. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Germany’s conservative interior minister now a ‘refugee saviour’
Today, Germany's conservative interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) is travelling to Athens to prevent a situation like the 2015 refugee crisis to happen again. He is using the opportunity to work on his image as a 'problem-solver' and is even seeking Turkey's help. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Bordeaux winegrowers want to leave chemicals behind to save the environment
Fewer chemical inputs tend to make the vine more robust and also ensure the terroir is better expressed in the wine's aroma, according to experts. France's vineyard sector is also interested in new grape varieties that are resistant to heat and disease. EURACTIV France reports.
WTO foresees global trade halved in 2019
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has lowered its global trade growth forecasts for 2019 to 1.2%, compared with its earlier 2.6% prediction issued last spring, with South and Central America bucking the downward global trend. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.