23 Jul 20
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
Iratxe García Pérez has warned that her group will not accept any watering down of conditionality on the compliance with democracy and rule of law.
22 Jul 20
David Sassoli: EU long-term budget ‘needs correcting’ and Parliament will try to ‘improve’ it
Parliament’s President said that while the assembly is “satisfied” with the €750bn recovery plan to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis, proposed cuts in certain areas of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) need to be rectified.
21 Jul 20
EU leaders thrash out deal on Coronavirus recovery fund and budget as Parliament awaits final say
After one of the longest summits on record, the heads of state finally reached agreement on Tuesday morning, but the final hurdle remains, with the consent of the European Parliament still pending.
20 Jul 20
MEPs underline ‘overwhelming evidence’ of rule of law breaches in Poland
Deputies have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a report criticising the “continuing deterioration” of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Poland.
20 Jul 20
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
Ahead of the resumption of negotiations on Tuesday, Michel Barnier and David Frost, the chief negotiators for the two sides, will have a dinner in London, where this week’s talks will take place.
17 Jul 20
EU leaders converge on Brussels for what are expected to be hard-fought talks to thrash out a deal on the budget and recovery fund
Speaking ahead of the meeting, which is expected to go into Saturday, Charles Michel and David Sassoli, set out their stalls on what they hope will emerge from the crucial summit.
17 Jul 20
Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
No deal, or ‘bare bones’ trade deal, likely outcome, warn former UK policymakers.
16 Jul 20
MEPs declare ‘this is the moment’ to agree EU long-term budget and recovery fund
It is hoped that Friday’s crunch summit will resolve the current impasse over the budget and €750bn recovery package designed to help EU economies address the impact of the pandemic.
10 Jul 20
New AMR Action Fund could be ‘game changer’ in battle against antimicrobial resistance
Fund’s launch comes with warning that up to ten million lives could be lost globally each year by 2050 to antimicrobial resistant ‘superbugs’.
10 Jul 20
Names of MEPs who will sit on European parliament’s new committees announced
Parliament has set up a subcommittee on taxation, three special committees - one on cancer, another on artificial intelligence and a third on foreign interference - and a committee of inquiry on animal transport.
10 Jul 20
Charles Michel tables plan to break impasse on EU’s Coronavirus recovery fund and next long term budget
European Council president’s ‘new’ proposal focuses on funding elements around climate change, the rule of law and Brexit.
09 Jul 20
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
Bernd Lange, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, told this website that he hopes the continuing talks, being held for the first time in London, will “unlock the UK’s negotiating position.”
09 Jul 20
EU leaders tell Member States it is ‘essential’ to agree on budget and recovery plan at summit
At least four Member States, “the Frugal Four”, remain opposed to the package, but the leaders of the main EU institutions have ratcheted up the pressure to reach an agreement in a week’s time.
09 Jul 20
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
Phil Hogan’s stark warning follows the US threat to put duties on EU goods such as beer, gin and olives, intensifying a long-running row over aviation subsidies between the two sides.
07 Jul 20
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
Luxembourg MEP Christophe Hansen, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the meetings between the two sides have, so far, “not exactly lived up to the expectations of fresh momentum.”
06 Jul 20
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
In an unusual intervention in domestic politics, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly voiced her support for Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
06 Jul 20
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
The former Danish Prime Minister’s comments come ahead of a key meeting on Wednesday, where EU leaders hope to break the current impasse over the €750bn Recovery Plan and the next long-term budget.
06 Jul 20
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
The crime spree appears to have taken place mainly while the building was effectively empty, with thieves accessing “sensitive” papers and breaking into secure cupboards in MEPs’ offices.
06 Jul 20
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
Speaking to MEPs, Florence Parly said the EDF, a new EU defence initiative, could be “an important tool for economic recovery” from the pandemic.
02 Jul 20
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator was speaking at the close of this week’s talks with his UK counterpart David Frost.
02 Jul 20
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
A new report claims that the German government’s “love affair” with gas and “unconditional support” for its automobile sector are “clear cut examples” of how its EU presidency risks stymying effective climate action by the EU.
01 Jul 20
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
Senior German MEP Sven Giegold says that MEPs will only be able to choose from a “one-man” shortlist which also lacks gender balance.
01 Jul 20
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
Senior Greens MEP Bas Eickhout says Germany takes over the helm of the EU from Croatia during “unprecedented times” for the bloc.
01 Jul 20
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
The EU’s police agency says there has been a “surge” in online distribution of child sexual abuse material during the Coronavirus pandemic.