David Sassoli says Strasbourg plenary cancellation an ‘extremely difficult decision’
16 Oct
David Sassoli says Strasbourg plenary cancellation an ‘extremely difficult decision’
Coronavirus surge forces last minute change of plan says European Parliament president.
5G technology is key to Europe’s Recovery Partner Content
16 Oct
5G technology is key to Europe’s Recovery
The head of one of the world’s leading tech companies says 5G offers “great opportunities” for people and business and can address some of the most pressing societal challenges including education and healthcare.
GUE/NGL awards its Journalists, Whistleblowers and Defenders of the Right to Information prize
15 Oct
GUE/NGL awards its Journalists, Whistleblowers and Defenders of the Right to Information prize
Former US army intelligence officer Chelsea Manning, German investigative organisation Correctiv and Greece’s Novartis whistleblowers have been jointly awarded the prize.
EU leaders converge on Brussels for summit as spectre of no-deal Brexit looms large
15 Oct
EU leaders converge on Brussels for summit as spectre of no-deal Brexit looms large
In a pre-summit briefing for reporters, a senior EU official admitted that “time is running out” to broker a Brexit trade deal by the end of this month, adding, “we need to see movement.”
Boris Johnson expresses ‘disappointment’ over lack of progress in Brexit talks
14 Oct
Boris Johnson expresses ‘disappointment’ over lack of progress in Brexit talks
The UK Prime Minister’s call with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday evening ahead of his self-imposed Thursday deadline was yet another damp squib.
Pandemic should be ‘wake-up call’ on Parliament’s split site arrangement, says MEP
14 Oct
Pandemic should be ‘wake-up call’ on Parliament’s split site arrangement, says MEP
Irish MEP Clare Daly’s demand comes with the institution set to return to Strasbourg next week for its first plenary in the city since the start of the crisis.
Support for Scottish independence at record high
14 Oct
Support for Scottish independence at record high
A poll conducted by Ipsos MORI shows 58 percent of Scots in favour of leaving the United Kingdom.
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
14 Oct
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
Anthony Gardner said, “This election is a battle for the soul of the country. It is a battle for democracy in the US. This is not an exaggeration.”
Digital Services Act an ‘incredible opportunity for EU to set global standards’ says Greens MEP
13 Oct
Digital Services Act an ‘incredible opportunity for EU to set global standards’ says Greens MEP
Speaking at a virtual news conference on Tuesday, Alexandra Geese said the planned legislation is a chance to “rediscover the real potential of the Internet.”
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
13 Oct
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
The message comes with EU leaders due to debate Brexit at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
MEPs condemn LGBT conversion therapy in appeal to European Commission
12 Oct
MEPs condemn LGBT conversion therapy in appeal to European Commission
In a letter to commissioners Věra Jourová, Helena Dalli and Stella Kyriakides, the deputies describe the practice as “torture” and emphasise the need for an EU-wide ban.
Senior MEP urges against ‘competition’ between cancer and COVID-19 patients
12 Oct
Senior MEP urges against ‘competition’ between cancer and COVID-19 patients
German EPP member Peter Liese, a medical doctor, was speaking at the first meeting on Monday of Parliament’s new cancer committee.
NGO coalition calls for creation of Enforcement Czar to stem EU’s ‘revolving door’ job moves
12 Oct
NGO coalition calls for creation of Enforcement Czar to stem EU’s ‘revolving door’ job moves
Financial reform group looking to end damage to EU’s reputation.
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
09 Oct
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
European Commission pledges to step up fight against money laundering.
European Parliament President throws weight behind fresh calls to ban unpaid internships
09 Oct
European Parliament President throws weight behind fresh calls to ban unpaid internships
EU must end ‘exploitation’ of young people, demands David Sassoli.
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
09 Oct
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
Message comes as EU-UK talks extend into next week in last-ditch bid to find an agreement.
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
08 Oct
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
David McAllister’s comments come as clashes continue over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, an enclave officially part of Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians.
ECJ rules that Hungary breached EU law with reform of higher education rules
08 Oct
ECJ rules that Hungary breached EU law with reform of higher education rules
The EU’s top court said that the conditions introduced by Hungary, which forced a university founded by George Soros to move most of its activities out of the country, are incompatible with EU law.
Mainstream groups in Parliament highlight lack of gender balance in ECB top job
07 Oct
Mainstream groups in Parliament highlight lack of gender balance in ECB top job
The Socialists, Renew Europe and the Greens have denounced the male-only list of candidates for a senior European Central Bank post.
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
07 Oct
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, several members accused the EU foreign affairs chief of being responsible for “a chain of half-truths and lies.”
European Parliament votes in favour of CO2 reduction target of 60 percent by 2030
07 Oct
European Parliament votes in favour of CO2 reduction target of 60 percent by 2030
The vote on Wednesday morning was tight, with 352 votes in favour, 326 against and 18 abstentions.
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
06 Oct
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the talks have entered a “very crucial phase.”
MEPs take aim at Council’s position on rule of law conditionality mechanism
06 Oct
MEPs take aim at Council’s position on rule of law conditionality mechanism
In a plenary debate on Monday evening, deputies stressed that recent EU proposals did not go far enough in linking EU funds to the respect of rule of law, calling them “ill equipped and ineffective.”
Women on Boards Directive must be unblocked in Council, MEPs argue
06 Oct
Women on Boards Directive must be unblocked in Council, MEPs argue
The Directive, which has been stuck in the legislative pipeline since 2013, aims to reach a minimum of 40 percent of women on non-executive boards of EU companies.