Daniel Eck
Germany’s nutrition strategy in-the-making needs more fleshing out
A virtual meeting between German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir and the country's associations on Wednesday (29 June) kick-started the development of a sustainable and healthy nutrition strategy, though expectations differ widely on the details.
France unlikely to go ‘all the way’ on its climate ambitions, experts say
The French government is unlikely to follow through on its climate ambitions, the country's High Council on Climate (HCC) said on Thursday (30 June) in a report containing recommendations for the executive.
Metsola: EU ‘let itself be surprised’ by war in Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine revealed Europe's complacency and a "new paradigm" is needed, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at the Jacques Delors Institute's annual conference on Tuesday (28 June).
Bundestag quarrels over retaining IP data to fight child abuse
Storing IP addresses to combat child abuse is currently a hot topic among German lawmakers, as the rejection of a motion filed by the conservative CDU/CSU group calling for a six-month limit in such matters was deemed insufficient by other stakeholders.
France needs ‘at least €2.3 billion’ extra per year for climate adaptation
France will have to spend "at least" €2.3 billion more per year to adapt infrastructures to climate change, a recent report published by the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) think tank reads.
Germany to allow more companies to set up online
Following negotiations that went well after midnight, the Bundestag adopted a bill in the early hours of Friday (24 June), allowing more companies to register online.
France to examine gas tariff shield ‘in the coming days’
A tariff shield to fight rising gas prices will be examined "in the coming days", French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who visited GRTgaz's dispatching site in the Île-de-France region, announced on Thursday (23 June).
EU task force calls for digital commons foundation launch
There should be a new European foundation in charge of developing so-called "digital commons" across the bloc, said an EU task force asked to reflect on how to harness this tool for greater digital sovereignty.
EU health agency ‘very closely’ monitoring possible medicine shortage
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is "very closely" monitoring possible shortages of medicines or medical equipment as a result of the war in Ukraine, though no critical shortages have so far been reported.
Macron’s high-stakes diplomatic marathon
Faced with a political and institutional crisis at home, French President Emmanuel Macron who lost control over the National Assembly as his coalition only obtained a relative majority in recent elections, is poised to embark on a series of international meetings.
Germany’s competition authority takes aim at Google Maps
The German Federal Cartel Office initiated new anti-trust proceedings against US digital giant Google because its mapping application, Google Maps, cannot be combined with other map services.
Oxfam France director: climate protection needs radical solutions
A radical change - particularly in public policy - is needed to address climate change and the social inequalities that come with it, former green minister and current director-general of Oxfam France, Cécile Duflot, told EURACTIV France in an exclusive interview.
French competition body accepts Google’s commitments on ‘neighbouring rights’
France's competition watchdog accepts Google's commitments following negotiations with press publishers over neighbouring rights, the body said on Tuesday (21 June), while the US giant said it will not contest the €500 million fine against it.
French companies line up for piece of the ‘metaverse pie’
The metaverse, expected to shake the virtual world as we know it, has also seduced French companies which are determined to have a spot in the new technology's development but have decided to proceed cautiously.
French left is still divided on Europe
The French left, now the strongest opposition facing Emmanuel Macron's presidential majority in this year's legislative elections set for Sunday (19 June), remains divided regarding issues related to the European Union.
French elections: parties give mixed messages to supporters ahead of Sunday’s vote
With some candidates not having qualified for France's second round of legislative elections on Sunday (19 June), parties have been giving mixed messages on who to vote for, and no longer calling on voters to vote against the extreme right at all costs.
Germany banks on economic alliance as driver for digitalisation
Germany’s political and business leaders have kicked off the "Alliance for Transformation", a key initiative of the new coalition government focused on climate protection, sustainability and digitalisation to change the country’s economy.
French elections: far-right makes gains, suffers from majority voting system
The far-right bloc dominated by Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National, made some gains in the French parliamentary elections on Sunday (12 June) but will struggle to win seats in the second round (19 June) partly due to the voting system. EURACTIV France reports.
French left-wing bloc wants a ‘transformed’ CAP
France’s new left-wing bloc led by radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon, which did well in Sunday's poll, wants to push for a transformation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to review the allocation of the €9 billion France receives through it. EURACTIV France reports.
Mélenchon revives debate over nuclear’s supposed ‘volatility’ ahead of election
Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has reiterated his opposition to nuclear ahead of the first round of the legislative elections this weekend, adding that he will maintain his stance if he gets nominated prime minister. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany to review its CAP plan in light of Ukraine war
Germany wants to re-examine its plans for the implementation of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to the war in Ukraine, the agriculture ministry said in response to the European Commission calling for a move towards 'resilient and sustainable' agriculture. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French data protection watchdog: Tweaking Google Analytics won’t make it legal
Google Analytics' use is not legal without a new deal that would replace the disgraced EU-US data processing agreement, French data watchdog CNIL recently clarified on its website, which also dashed hopes that the tool could be reconfigured to allow data transfers to the US.
Grain now a ‘means of war’, says German official
While grain has become a "means of war" and solidarity with Ukraine is a top priority right now, pressing the pause button on environmental and climate protection would be fatal because "climate crisis will not pause either", a senior official at the German agriculture ministry told EURACTIV.