30 Jun 21
Brexit: So close, yet so far…
Despite current difficulties, the UK and the EU will, in the long run, forge closer economic and security ties, predicts Charles Grant.
30 Jun 21
Conference on the Future of Europe: Advancing EU citizenship
Concept of EU citizenship must be included in CoFoE debate, argues Suzana Carp.
29 Jun 21
European Parliament row over MEP's refusal to wear face mask escalates
Right-wing German deputy Christine Anderson says she’s being wrongly targeted in a ‘pointless abuse of power’.
29 Jun 21
Media Action Plan: The power of local
A strong and independent local media is essential to the democratic process, but this is in danger of withering away. The EU must ensure it gets the support it needs, argues Jan Trei.
28 Jun 21
Hate Speech: On the cyberviolence frontline
With over 80 percent of female politicians having suffered cyberviolence, intimidation and harassment, MEPs are calling on the Commission to introduce legislation to curb online hate. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
28 Jun 21
Hate Speech: A milestone for the LGBTI community
The extension of the list of EU crimes to cover hate speech and hate crimes, including when targeted at LGBTI people, will be one of the most important acts of this legislative term, argues Marc Angel.
28 Jun 21
European Parliament's centrist groups accused of a ‘smash and grab’ raid over committee chair election
Row centres on election of Lucia Nicholsonová as the new chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee.
28 Jun 21
Hate Speech: Don’t stand for hate
The European Commission’s initiative to add hate crime and hate speech to the list of EU crimes should be applauded as an important step in protecting Europe’s citizens, argues Alice Kuhnke.
24 Jun 21
“The first real resistance to a regressive agenda”: Parliament adopts SRHR report
Predrag Fred Matić’s report on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights was adopted on Thursday, with 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions.
24 Jun 21
European Parliament gives green light to EU Climate Law
The law enshrines the bloc’s commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
24 Jun 21
Rural Areas: Smart Villages are the future
Following the pandemic, we have the opportunity to make the most of rural life, if we choose to do so; let’s make this a privilege says Franc Bogovič.
24 Jun 21
Rural Areas: A faster Europe
The impact of the pandemic has focused on cities, but it has also highlighted the differences between rural areas; we need to bridge these gaps as part of our recovery, urges Niklas Nienass.
24 Jun 21
Urban Areas: The engines of recovery
For all its tragedies and challenges, COVID-19 has highlighted the potential for a better future for our urban centres, writes Idoia Villanueva Ruiz.
23 Jun 21
ECR group wants SRHR debate to be scrapped; says issue "overreaches" EU's competence
The European Parliament is due to debate and vote on a controversial report urging Member States to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
23 Jun 21
“My body, my rights”: MEPs stand up for women’s sexual and reproductive rights
Ahead of the vote on rapporteur Predrag Fred Matić’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) report on Thursday, MEPs demonstrated in front of the European Parliament.
23 Jun 21
Greens MEPs welcome pardon of Catalan separatist leaders
The nine leaders were jailed for their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid.
23 Jun 21
Life-Cycle Assessment: Regulating in times of environmental challenges
Life-Cycle Assessment can help provide transparent and evidence-based decisions that are key to achieving Europe’s climate ambitions, argues Klemen Grošelj.
23 Jun 21
Medical Device Regulation: a lack of clarity and too much freedom of interpretation
As breakthrough innovations for wellness-related applications become increasingly ubiquitous, the path for the future regulation of innovation in Europe must be planned carefully, says Susana Solís.
23 Jun 21
MEPs condemn UEFA’s refusal to light up Munich stadium in rainbow colours
UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, has turned down a request to light up Munich’s Allianz Arena in the colours of the rainbow flag for Germany’s Euro 2020 match with Hungary on Wednesday.
23 Jun 21
EU Member States express ‘grave concern’ over Hungary’s LGBTIQ discrimination
In a statement, the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Latvia, Italy, Greece, Austria and Cyprus slammed the recent adoption by the Hungarian Parliament of amendments which discriminate against LGBTIQ persons.
22 Jun 21
Biden builds bridges after turbulent Trump era
New US President undertook an intensive programme of meetings on his keenly-awaited European trip but, asks Martin Banks, what did Joe Biden's visit actually achieve?
22 Jun 21
MEPs outline ‘wish list’ for newly launched Conference on the Future of Europe
The Conference’s inaugural plenary session took place on Saturday in Strasbourg.
21 Jun 21
Gender Equality: Bridging the EU’s pay gap
It will take more than binding pay transparency measures to close the gender pay gaps in Europe’s labour markets, say Gabriella Sebardt and Mira-Maria Kontkanen.
21 Jun 21
Circular Economy: No time nor money to waste
Europe is currently overshooting its resource consumption. This cannot continue, argues Sirpa Pietikäinen.