Romania's democracy under pressure after court annuls vote
12 Dec 24 Member States
Romania's democracy under pressure after court annuls vote
In annulling the surprise win of a pro-Russian ultranationalist, a top Romanian court has either protected democracy or tried to sideline it. The uncertainty has shaken the confidence of voters already feeling economic hardship.
Estonia’s move to strip Russians of their right to vote rehashes complicated questions of belonging
11 Dec 24 Member States
Estonia’s move to strip Russians of their right to vote rehashes complicated questions of belonging
The government says Russian and Belarusian citizens are a security risk, which has some of them rethinking their place in Estonian society. 
Op-ed: How civil society links can accelerate EU enlargement
11 Dec 24 EU Institutions
Op-ed: How civil society links can accelerate EU enlargement
Candidate countries’ social partners can enhance EU decision making and lay the foundations for a fair and prosperous future.
Von der Leyen's new mandate is one of contradictions and competing interests 
10 Dec 24 EU Institutions
Von der Leyen's new mandate is one of contradictions and competing interests 
The European Commission president's efforts to appeal to the left and far right have her allies calling her savvy. Her critics would call it duplicitous. Getting her agenda through will be a difficult balancing act. 
Op-ed: Clean Industrial Deal must bring businesses into the fold
10 Dec 24 Energy & Environment
Op-ed: Clean Industrial Deal must bring businesses into the fold
European policymakers must tackle permitting, energy and financing to create the conditions for industry to decarbonise.
Why Raffaele Fitto was Meloni’s best bet for the new Commission
09 Dec 24 EU Institutions
Why Raffaele Fitto was Meloni’s best bet for the new Commission
Raffaele Fitto’s appointment as an executive vice-president marks a significant shift in the European Commission, securing ECR presence in Europe’s new political landscape.
Q+A: French government collapses at pivotal moment for EU
06 Dec 24 Member States
Q+A: French government collapses at pivotal moment for EU
Michel Barnier is out. Macron is on the hunt for another PM. What's next for the EU's second-biggest member?
Op-ed: Commission must rethink Mercosur approach to ease farmer unrest
06 Dec 24 Energy & Environment
Op-ed: Commission must rethink Mercosur approach to ease farmer unrest
After 25 years of discussions, a deal between the EU and the Mercosur bloc looks imminent. The European Commission should soften the blow for Europe’s farmers.
‘An imperfect leader’: Weakened Macron set to limp on at helm of EU
05 Dec 24 EU Institutions
‘An imperfect leader’: Weakened Macron set to limp on at helm of EU
The French president's minority government has collapsed, but the EU may still look to Macron for leadership.
Marta Kos has five years to unblock EU enlargement
05 Dec 24 EU Institutions
Marta Kos has five years to unblock EU enlargement
The new Slovenian Commissioner is tasked with making progress on bringing new members into the EU, but not everyone is enthusiastic.
Will Frontex’s expansion lead to more oversight and accountability?
04 Dec 24 EU Institutions
Will Frontex’s expansion lead to more oversight and accountability?
As the EU expands the powers and resources of its border and coast guard agency, concerns are growing about accountability and transparency over alleged human rights violations.
Q+A: Ireland's general election stays in the centre, with no far right in sight
03 Dec 24
Q+A: Ireland's general election stays in the centre, with no far right in sight
Ireland’s general election will likely return the country's centrist coalition to power. They have a surplus to spend, but also a housing crisis and other challenges to confront.
The EU wants to boost its sluggish economy. Could Spain offer a roadmap?
02 Dec 24 Member States
The EU wants to boost its sluggish economy. Could Spain offer a roadmap?
Von der Leyen’s new mandate is likely to be consumed by an old problem: Promoting growth and innovation despite resistance to more spending.
Crisis causes EU power balance to tilt towards the Commission, but can they cling on?
28 Nov 24 EU Institutions
Crisis causes EU power balance to tilt towards the Commission, but can they cling on?
Von der Leyen’s leadership reshaped the European Commission during an era of pandemic, war, and energy instability, but at what cost to democratic balance and the role of the European Parliament?
Op-ed: 'Taller walls are an illusion’
27 Nov 24 EU Institutions
Op-ed: 'Taller walls are an illusion’
MEP Daniel Freund argues the EU should focus on the root causes of migration rather than building physical barriers on the border.
Why Europe needs a Blue Deal to secure its Green Deal
26 Nov 24 Energy & Environment
Why Europe needs a Blue Deal to secure its Green Deal
'Planet Aqua' argues that water is Europe’s next climate battleground, demanding a bold new approach to managing our most vital resource.
Op-ed: Why renewables must replace nuclear
22 Nov 24 EU Institutions
Op-ed: Why renewables must replace nuclear
Renewables offer a cheaper, more reliable route to cutting emissions than nuclear power. Europe should prioritise green energy instead.
Q+A: With historic LGBTQ+ rights case, 'The Commission is asking Hungary: Do you really want to remain part of the club?'
21 Nov 24 EU Institutions
Q+A: With historic LGBTQ+ rights case, 'The Commission is asking Hungary: Do you really want to remain part of the club?'
The case against Hungary's Child Protection Act goes to the heart of EU treaty values. How the ECJ rules may determine Hungary's EU future — and how strictly member state violations are policed.
Op-ed: It’s time to end Europe’s anti-nuclear dogma
20 Nov 24 EU Institutions
Op-ed: It’s time to end Europe’s anti-nuclear dogma
As Europe strives to meet its climate objectives, nuclear energy must take a central role in the bloc’s energy mix to ensure a stable, decarbonised future.
1,000 days of war later, EU still divided over Ukraine's future
20 Nov 24 Foreign & Security Policy
1,000 days of war later, EU still divided over Ukraine's future
Trump's re-election has accelerated talk about ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the negotiating table. The EU's position is anything but unified.
Op-ed: Risk-based 2040 target is key to keeping climate momentum
18 Nov 24 Energy & Environment
Op-ed: Risk-based 2040 target is key to keeping climate momentum
The EU’s climate ambitions must be balanced with safeguards against trade, economic and social risks.
It’s official: EU deforestation law gets put on backburner
15 Nov 24 EU Institutions
It’s official: EU deforestation law gets put on backburner
The European Parliament has voted to amend and postpone the EU deforestation law that was about to come into force. Critics say the move hollows out an already weakened law.
Op-ed: EU needs strategic partnerships to secure critical raw materials supply
14 Nov 24 Foreign & Security Policy
Op-ed: EU needs strategic partnerships to secure critical raw materials supply
As global competition for critical raw materials intensifies, the EU must push for strategic partnerships and increased investment to meet Green Deal targets.
MEP Lange: Parliamentary power essential to strengthening EU
13 Nov 24 EU Institutions
MEP Lange: Parliamentary power essential to strengthening EU
MEP Bernd Lange, Chair of the Conference of Committee Chairs, discusses the importance of the European Parliament's committees and his role in streamlining EP decision-making.