Daniel Eck
Macron backs right-wing hopefuls ahead of June polls
French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen to back several right-wing Les Républicains (LR) candidates in the June legislative elections, continuing his takeover of the now ailing traditional right-wing bloc. EURACTIV France reports.
Idea of carbon price ‘corridor’ resurfaces in France
The recent surge in CO2 prices on the EU carbon market has revived the idea of introducing a "price corridor", with a maximum and a minimum, in order to ensure greater market stability. EURACTIV France reports.
France sees boom in personal data breaches in 2021
France has hit an all-time record in notifications of personal data breaches, up 79% from 2020, the latest report of France's data protection watchdog CNIL has found. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany lobbies EU to suspend crop rotation rules
German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir is lobbying the European Commission to postpone a new regulation on crop rotation so that farmers can grow more wheat in view of the war in Ukraine. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German internet economy grows despite Ukraine war
Germany's digital industry has kept growing despite Russia's war in Ukraine, though uncertainty in the industry and among customers remains high, a recent report published by the digital association eco has found
EU lawmakers may push 70% emission cut on carmakers by 2030
The European Parliament's environment committee (ENVI) is due to vote on mandatory CO2 standards for car manufacturers on Wednesday (11 May), with the possibility of calling for a 70% reduction target by the year 2030. EURACTIV France reports.
French left-wing bloc divided over legislative nominees
France's new left-wing union has reached a compromise on sharing constituencies ahead of the legislative elections in June despite not everyone agreeing on the choice of nominees. EURACTIV France reports.
European politicians want citizen panels to be used at EU level
The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) ended on Monday (9 May), but a group of politicians want citizens' forums that were at its heart to become a permanent practice at the EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French platform workers elect representatives ahead of ‘social dialogue’
Delivery workers and drivers of passenger cars working in France are being called on to elect union representatives who will conduct a 'social dialogue' with platforms like Uber and Deliveroo to improve their working conditions. EURACTIV France reports.
Germany calls for Western Balkan enlargement, abolition of unanimity
Germany wants to use the Conference on the Future of Europe as a starting point to further develop the EU, possibly change treaties and abolish unanimity decision-making for EU foreign policy matters.
Germany still not affected by Russia-linked cyberattacks
Germany has not been affected by cyberattacks that can be traced back to Russia, the government has confirmed, despite other EU countries experiencing a sharp increase. However, this may be due to how Germany defines such attacks. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU lawmakers back one-year extension of COVID certificate
EU lawmakers backed on Thursday (5 May) a proposal by the EU Parliament's civil liberties committee to extend until June 2023 the EU's digital COVID certificate, set to expire this summer.
Commission, WHO discuss mental health aid for Ukrainians
The mental health of Ukrainians and those in exile was at the heart of discussions for the first time at the WHO mental health coalition meeting on Wednesday (4 May), attended by EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron stalls on prime minister nomination
French President Emmanuel Macron is not expected to name the next prime minister before the end of next week although he is already being officially sworn in for a second term on Saturday (7 May), as several prominent figures have reportedly already turned down the job.
German competition authority tightens its grip on Meta
Stricter antitrust measures can be taken against US giant Meta, Germany's Bundeskartellamt announced on Wednesday (4 May), after similar measures were taken toward Google. Meanwhile, Germany is lobbying for stricter EU competition rules.
French Socialist Party in disarray after joining new Left alliance
France's Socialist Party has joined the New Popular Ecological and Social Union formed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise ahead of the legislative elections in June but the news has not been well-received by all. EURACTIV France reports.
French Greens defend pact with Mélenchon’s party ahead of legislatives
Ahead of France's upcoming June legislative elections, the Greens have found themselves defending their new partnership with Jean-Luc Mélenchon's party amid accusations that it is compromising when it comes to the EU. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s big plans for French agriculture
From tackling the decline of young farmers to the announcement of a 'third agricultural revolution': what has the newly re-elected French president, Emmanuel Macron, promised for the country's agricultural sector? EURACTIV France reports.
German government mulls limiting biofuel production
Germany's environment and agriculture ministries are apparently currently working on restrictions for the production of biofuels so that more grain can be used as human food as agriculture markets remain strained due to the war in Ukraine. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French Left split over union centred around Mélenchon
Negotiations over uniting the French left ahead of the legislative elections in June are underway but senior officials of the parties involved are split over calls to rally behind radical-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron on the lookout for France’s first ‘climate’ prime minister
Re-elected President Emmanuel Macron will, as promised, soon name his new Prime Minister in charge of "ecological planning", though with the legislative election just around the corner, the cards could soon be reshuffled. EURACTIV France reports.
CAP talks could be impacted by recent French fallow land derogation
While the war in Ukraine continues, French farmers are permitted to cultivate fallow land in order to increase production. The question now is whether the direction of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) will also be affected. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron, Le Pen spar over disability allowance in TV debate
Incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right contender Marine Le Pen clashed over the current practice of taking into account the partner's income when calculating the allowance for disabled adults in a televised debate ahead of their final face-off on Sunday.