European Union news, politics and policy from Brussels

19 Jan

Digital Services Act: Parliament’s chance to give citizens the online protection they deserve

The EU’s new legislation needs to be good enough to be the game-changer needed for citizens and democratic institutions to take back control of our digital future, argues Patrick Breyer.

by Patrick Breyer

17 Dec International & Trade

40 years of HIV pandemic: key learnings for the future of global health

18 Jan EU Institutions

A tribute to David Sassoli in Strasbourg

14 Jan Health

MEPs renew demand for Covid-19 vaccine patents to be lifted

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18 Jan Security & Defence

Parliament’s AFET and SEDE committees to send joint delegation for fact finding mission to Ukraine

EU High Representative Borrell tells MEPs that Europe is “hoping for the best but preparing for the worst” with regards to Russian military build-up at Ukrainian border.

17 Jan EU Institutions

This week in Parliament

It is mid-term election week at the European Parliament, with a new president to be announced on Tuesday, but not without paying tribute to the late president David Sassoli on Monday evening.

14 Jan EU Institutions

David Sassoli's funeral brings together Italy and EU’s highest representatives

Italy and Europe have paid their respects to the late European Parliament president David Sassoli with a state funeral on Thursday

14 Jan EU Institutions

Movers and Shakers | 14 January 2022

Today’s Movers & Shakers are about: A new German MEP, Romania’s new Permanent Representative to the EU, the new Dutch government, and more!

13 Jan International & Trade

MEPs debate Belarus border emergency measures

Situation on the ground has deescalated significantly says European Commission, as MEPs clash over legality of proposed derogations to EU asylum rules

12 Jan Industry & Finance

MEPs clash over scope of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

Lead rapporteur, Pascal Durand, warns that because of ‘two contradicting positions’ in the European Parliament, reaching agreement on the proposal will not be easy

11 Jan Jobs & Social Rights

Political ads must be more transparent, new proposal suggests

The European Commission’s proposal on the transparency of political ads addresses digital data privacy, but may come with loopholes, MEPs warn.

11 Jan EU Institutions

MEPs react to the death of European Parliament President David Sassoli

As Sassoli's passing is announced overnight, his colleagues at the European institutions express their grief and condolences.

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Should Belgium go its own way to protect its supply chains?

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17 Dec International & Trade

Should Belgium go its own way to protect its supply chains?

The lack of progress made by the EU in adopting supply chain due diligence legislation has prompted the EU Member State to ponder its own law, writes Eli Hadzhieva, Director of the Dialogue for Europe

EU Regulation on Deforestation: The Case for National Certification Programs

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16 Dec Agriculture & Food

EU Regulation on Deforestation: The Case for National Certification Programs

The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil certification is a model that addresses global deforestation concerns, and one that other countries can follow, argues Robert Hii

Refusal to address Uyghur forced labour is a betrayal of Europe’s values and history

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13 Dec International & Trade

Refusal to address Uyghur forced labour is a betrayal of Europe’s values and history

The international community must take necessary action now, urges Campaign for Uyghurs Executive Director Rushan Abbas

What happens in Lebanon should be a warning for us all

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10 Dec International & Trade

What happens in Lebanon should be a warning for us all

French MP Nathalie Goulet calls on the international community to support the rebuilding and reforming of the country

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13 Jan Tech & Research

Digital Services Act: Time to end the Digital ‘Wild West’ says Arba Kokalari

EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur says MEPs must seize the opportunity of upcoming DSA plenary vote to create a more innovative, competitive and safer European digital market

11 Jan EU Institutions

David Sassoli: A champion of European ideals

Following the sad news of the death of David Sassoli, Brian Johnson looks back at an interview with him that highlighted his compassion and unyielding commitment to democracy and the European project.

03 Jan Industry & Finance

Flexibility, equality, modernity and harmonisation are key to delivering a compromise solution on EU VAT rates rules, writes Olivier Chastel

EU Member States must ensure right balance and avoid eroding the tax base when using the new reduced VAT rates, says Parliament’s rapporteur on reducing EU VAT gap

31 Dec Mobility

European Year of Rail: From propaganda to reality

Portuguese MEP João Pimenta explains why he took undertook a 57 hour train journey from Lisbon to Strasbourg for the final EP Plenary session of 2021

24 Dec EU Institutions

2022 shaping up to be a dramatic year in the battle between the EU and Poland over the Rule of Law

The EU’s ability to push back against damage to the Rule of Law in countries such as Hungary and Poland will define whether the EU can live up to its noble commitments, writes Jakub Jaraczewski

21 Dec Industry & Finance

There is a clear need for more European tax coordination and harmonisation, argues Markus Ferber

In a Single Market based on cross-border economic activity, tax policy decisions taken by one Member State can have major implications for other Member States, says FISC Committee vice chair

20 Dec EU Institutions

Germany’s new coalition government comes with an ambitious agenda, explains Sandra Parthie

A strong pro-European agenda dominates Olaf Scholz’ Traffic Light coalition, says Employers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee member

20 Dec Health

The revolution in HIV demands an EU response, explains Frédérique Ries

We should celebrate the stunning progress in HIV survival rates, while putting health-related quality of life at the centre of policy, says Belgian Renew Europe Group MEP

Features

07 Jan EU Institutions

This week in the European Parliament

MEPs are back on Monday from a three-week Christmas break for a mixed committee and political group meetings week

07 Jan EU Institutions

Movers and Shakers | 7 January 2022

Today’s Movers & Shakers are about: The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, upcoming European elections, the new Czech government, new Ministers in Luxembourg, and more!

04 Jan Energy & Climate

MEPs divided over European Commission proposals labelling gas and nuclear energy as ‘green’

EU deputies quick to respond to controversial plans that would see nuclear and gas promoted as environmentally sustainable energy sources

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