97 million swing voters up for grabs
The upcoming European elections are a "real opportunity for mainstream parties to reconnect with voters", according to latest report from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
EU policy makers should follow a holistic industrial policy that supports strategic value chains...
Movers and Shakers | 18 April 2019
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our movers and shakers column.
Parliament bids farewell to longest serving MEP
Manfred Weber outlines his vision for Europe, President Tajani calls for more positive EU press coverage and Parliament says goodbye to Elmar Brok in final plenary session.
EU adopts contraversial copyright reform
Europe’s press publishers have welcomed the adoption by the council of the long-awaited EU copyright reform that introduces a “crucial” neighbouring right for press publishers.
Greta Thunberg urges EU to ‘take action now’ in speech to European Parliament
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appeared to break down in tears when she addressed MEPs in Strasbourg about what she called “an ecological and climate crisis.”
Richard Corbett: Brexit extension will allow British people to ‘see through the lies’
UK Socialist MEP Richard Corbett has told Parliament that the extension granted to the UK on its EU exit will give the British people a chance to “see through the lies about Brexit.”
Reform of EU human rights convention ‘clearly improving’ judgment implementation
A new report says that reforms to ensure the long-term effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights have “clearly improved” the implementation of judgments from the European Court in Strasbourg.
5G offers tightened security and will improve lives
5G offers more opportunities while upgrading security, explains Tony Graziano
United we stand, divided we fall
Cooperation and investment are key when it comes to security and defence, explains Chris Lombardi
Individuals make innovation a reality
Making innovation happen is more than just a motto for the EIT, writes Dirk Jan van den Berg.
Apprenticeships are a practical way for Europe's youth to kick-start careers
McDonald's is helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed through apprenticeships, writes David Fairhurst.
Europe must continue to invest in the bioplastic revolution
It is imperative to seize the momentum of recent policy developments at both European and international level, argues Philippe Mengal.
European Parliament and EU Member States must bring clarity on the first mobility package
MEPs and member states must bring clarity on the first mobility package, argues IRU’s Matthias Maedge
A commitment to carers
Not before time, the needs of carers are now firmly in the policy spotlight, writes Vanessa Pott.
Shifting from a culture of dependency
European businesses should take notice of UAE’s drive to foster entrepreneurship, says Guy Burton.
Common Fisheries Policy reform: Consistency is key
More abundant fish stocks lead to more profitable fisheries, but inconsistencies in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy could see less fish in the sea, writes Linnéa Engström.
Vaccinating against misinformation
With confidence in vaccinations on the decline, the EU must take immediate action against the misinformation epidemic, argues Jyrki Katainen.
EU-China: Actions speak louder than words
China’s ambitions as a player in shaping international trade need to be matched with concrete efforts, argues Iuliu Winkler.
EU-China: Proceed with caution
China is an opportunity for our market, but its growing influence in the EU is a source of concern, argues David Martin.
Stepping down after three terms as an MEP, Lambert Van Nistelrooij is confident that the Europe his successors will find on arrival will be one that is fit for the future.
In conversation with... FEDARENE President, Julije Domac.
As the balance in European sentiment increasingly leans to the right, veteran politician Alexander Stubb tells Lorna Hutchinson that election candidates need to become more personal if they are to strike an emotional chord with people on what it means to be European.
An MEP for 25 years, Evelyne Gebhardt has seen it all. As vice president of the European Parliament and member of the High-level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity and IMCO committee, she tells Colin Mackay her thoughts on gender equality and quotas, the digital single market and globalisation.
Vice chair of Parliament’s committee on industry, research and energy, Morten Helveg Petersen says Europe can do more to meet its green energy goals, and what’s more, the tools are already at our disposal.
Terrorism still high on the EU agenda
On the third anniversary of the Brussels terror attacks, Eli Hadzhieva discusses how counter-terrorism measures have strengthened in the EU, but many challenges still remain unaddressed.
The UK wants a second Brexit referendum
Edward McMillan-Scott urges MEPs to keep faith with with the largest pro-EU population in Europe - across the United Kingdom.
Double standards result from EU trade policies
The EU seeks to improve human rights dialogue through its trade policies, but is it working, asks Madi Sharma, member of the European Economic and Social Committee.
International cooperation is key to promoting security
Winning the fight against state-sponsored international terrorism requires more than vigilance, enforcement and national unity - it needs international coordination and cooperation.
EU has little room for manoeuvre in Brexit talks
The EU’s margin for flexibility is limited in Brexit negotiations, and the sooner the UK accepts this the sooner a deal can be reached, writes S&D group MEP Jo Leinen.
Manfred Weber outlines his vision for Europe, President Tajani calls for more positive EU press coverage and Parliament says goodbye to Elmar Brok in final plenary session.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appeared to break down in tears when she addressed MEPs in Strasbourg about what she called “an ecological and climate crisis.”
UK Socialist MEP Richard Corbett has told Parliament that the extension granted to the UK on its EU exit will give the British people a chance to “see through the lies about Brexit.”
New legislation to prevent terrorist organisations spreading propaganda across the internet will be voted on by MEPs in Strasbourg during this week’s plenary, the last before the European elections.
The Greens say the Brexit extension agreed this week will hopefully prevent a “radical rupture” that would seriously damage long-term relations between the UK and the EU.
The UK has been urged to “use wisely” the delay to its EU exit which was agreed at a summit of EU leaders in the early hours of Thursday.
The European Commission has repeated its warning that the UK leaving the EU with a ‘no-deal’ will "cause disruption and is not desirable" but has insisted that the EU is “fully prepared for it.”
EU leaders will meet Theresa May in Brussels later on Wednesday to decide whether to allow an additional delay to Brexit.
Eleni Theocharous (CY, ECR) is a member of the European Parliament’s development committee
Julie Girling (EPP, UK) member of the parliament’s environment committee and delegation to ASEAN
Martina Dlabajová (ALDE, CZ) is a Vice-Chair of Parliament’s budgetary control committee.
Ana Gomes (S&D, PT) is a Vice-Chair of Parliament’s special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance.
Ignazio Corrao (EFDD, IT) is a member of Parliament's development committee.
Marlene Mizzi (S&D, MT) is a Vice-Chair of Parliament’s petitions committee.
Laima Andrikienė (EPP, LT) is a Vice-Chair of Parliament’s delegation to the EU-Kazakhstan, EU-Kyrgyzstan, EU-Uzbekistan and EU-Tajikistan parliamentary cooperation committees and for relations with Turkmenistan and Mongolia.
Macedonia, campaigning on no budget and always aiming for a challenge.
Manfred Weber outlines his vision for Europe, President Tajani calls for more positive EU press coverage and Parliament says goodbye to Elmar Brok in final plenary session.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appeared to break down in tears when she addressed MEPs in Strasbourg about what she called “an ecological and climate crisis.”
UK Socialist MEP Richard Corbett has told Parliament that the extension granted to the UK on its EU exit will give the British people a chance to “see through the lies about Brexit.”
New legislation to prevent terrorist organisations spreading propaganda across the internet will be voted on by MEPs in Strasbourg during this week’s plenary, the last before the European elections.
Lambert Van Nistelrooij graces this issue's cover, in an interview looking back over his 15 year European Parliament career. As he prepares to step down, the veteran Dutch deputy reminisces over his three terms as an MEP, which he says never had a dull day and unveils some of his post-Brussels plans.
Also inside, Swedish Greens MEP Linnéa Engström and the European Commission's João Aguiar Machado provide their perspectives on the Common Fisheries Policy, while Dutch EPP deputy Annie Schreijer-Pierik exposes the inhumane treatment of animals in China in the wake of an African Swine Fever outbreak. Elsewhere, in an issue that's particularly topical at the moment, European Commission vice president Jyrki Katainen argues that the EU should take immediate action to combat what he calls the "misinformation epidemic" around vaccinations.
Looking ahead to the upcoming EU elections the Parliament Mag's roving reporter Martin Banks takes a look at the increased use by NGOs and EU associations of pre-election 'manifestos' and 'pledges' for prospective MEP candidates. Our commissioning editor Raj Sing meanwhile catches up with a fresh crop of young candidate MEPs that are ready to take Europe by storm.
We also have two long-read pieces on Blockchain technology from Dutch deputy Caroline Nagtegaal and EESC rapporteur Giuseppe Guerini and a feature on NATO's 70th anniversary including an interview with deputy secretary general Rose Gottemoeller. Finally, in our 5 Questions With... column, find out why Muhammad Ali's life story became an inspiration to veteran British MEP Sajjad Karim.
NGOs, lobby groups and others are stepping up their efforts to enlist the support of would-be MEPs ahead of the European elections next month.
The Greens say the Brexit extension agreed this week will hopefully prevent a “radical rupture” that would seriously damage long-term relations between the UK and the EU.
The European parliament is pulling out all the stops with a campaign to get people to vote in the upcoming EU elections.