European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume
03 Aug EU Institutions

European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume

Former UK Socialist MEP John Hume, described by some as “the Nelson Mandela of Irish politics”, has died after a short illness aged 83.
by Martin Banks
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
03 Aug International & Trade
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
31 Jul International & Trade
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
31 Jul Justice
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
Now is the time to make prostate cancer a political priority PM+
31 Jul
Now is the time to make prostate cancer a political priority
COVID-19 is likely to exacerbate issues relating to the early detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer,i which are likely to include men with prostate cancer, at a time when health inequalities,ii,iii stigma iv and health system challenges can already lead to sub-optimal treatment outcomes.v We must act now, says the Let’s Talk Prostate Cancer expert group.
Movers and Shakers | 31 July 2020
31 Jul EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 31 July 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
30 Jul International & Trade
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
UK government says it ‘still believes’ there is chance of reaching an agreement by October.
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
29 Jul EU Institutions
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
EU leaders will meet Angela Merkel on Wednesday to discuss the next steps towards reaching a swift agreement on the bloc’s massive Coronavirus recovery fund and its next long-term budget.
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
28 Jul EU Institutions
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
Mairead McGuinness, a Vice-President of Parliament, wants the Council to draw up its position on the planned conference “as soon as possible.”
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
28 Jul Justice
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
The “conditionality” clause is part of the agreement on the next EU long-term budget which is now set to be negotiated by the main EU institutions.
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
27 Jul Justice
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Poland’s decision to withdraw from the groundbreaking domestic violence treaty comes against a backdrop of intensified violence against women since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
27 Jul EU Institutions
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
The warning on Monday comes from the cross-party group of MEPs who comprise Parliament’s negotiating team on the recovery fund and long-term budget.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing Event Coverage
27 Jul Justice
Wolves in sheep’s clothing
In recent years, women’s rights, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have been contested by a small but vocal number of Catholic-inspired European networks who managed to infiltrate institutions and governments, reports Lorna Hutchinson.
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
24 Jul EU Institutions
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
The European Economic and Social Committee has raised concerns over the the deal reached by European leaders.
Movers and Shakers | 24 July 2020
24 Jul EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 24 July 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
23 Jul EU Institutions
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
In a debate in Parliament on the outcome of the marathon EU summit, MEPs welcomed the €750bn recovery plan but voiced fierce opposition to cuts to the budget.
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
23 Jul International & Trade
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
As the EU and UK wrapped up their latest round of talks in London, the EU’s chief negotiator was dubious of the likelihood of breaking the deadlock while his UK counterpart was decidedly more upbeat on the prospect of a deal in September.
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
23 Jul Industry & Finance
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.
David Sassoli: EU long-term budget ‘needs correcting’ and Parliament will try to ‘improve’ it
22 Jul EU Institutions
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.
EU leaders thrash out deal on Coronavirus recovery fund and budget as Parliament awaits final say
21 Jul EU Institutions
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.
MEPs underline ‘overwhelming evidence’ of rule of law breaches in Poland
20 Jul Justice
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.
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
20 Jul International & Trade
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.
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
17 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
17 Jul International & Trade
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.
Movers and Shakers | 17 July 2020
17 Jul EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 17 July 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
MEPs declare ‘this is the moment’ to agree EU long-term budget and recovery fund
16 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Report Review: VinylPlus Progress Report 2020 Report Review
14 Jul Energy & Climate
Report Review: VinylPlus Progress Report 2020
In their latest report, the European PVC industry explains how they are not only meeting their commitments to sustainable development, but also to energy use, climate change and the environment.
New AMR Action Fund could be ‘game changer’ in battle against antimicrobial resistance
10 Jul Tech & Research
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’.