Parliament’s EPP Group calls for sanctions against Belarusian President and law enforcement leaders
11 Aug Justice

Parliament’s EPP Group calls for sanctions against Belarusian President and law enforcement leaders

Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory after bloody clashes between riot police and thousands of protesters who said Sunday’s poll was rigged.
by Martin Banks
Britain must settle any outstanding EIB loans when it finally leaves EU, says European Commission
07 Aug International & Trade
Britain must settle any outstanding EIB loans when it finally leaves EU, says European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
05 Aug Justice
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
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
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’.
Names of MEPs who will sit on European parliament’s new committees announced
10 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Charles Michel tables plan to break impasse on EU’s Coronavirus recovery fund and next long term budget
10 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Movers and Shakers | 10 July 2020
10 Jul EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 10 July 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
09 Jul International & Trade
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.”
EU leaders tell Member States it is ‘essential’ to agree on budget and recovery plan at summit
09 Jul Industry & Finance
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.
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
09 Jul International & Trade
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.
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
07 Jul International & Trade
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.”
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
06 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
06 Jul Industry & Finance
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.
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
06 Jul EU Institutions
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.
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
06 Jul EU Institutions
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.
Movers and Shakers | 3 July 2020
02 Jul EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 3 July 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
02 Jul International & Trade
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.
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
02 Jul Energy & Climate
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.
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
01 Jul Industry & Finance
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.
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
01 Jul EU Institutions
“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.