Martin Banks

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.
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.
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
01 Jul Tech & Research
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.
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
30 Jun EU Institutions
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
The European Commission Vice-President was initially lambasted by the European Network Against Racism after comments he reportedly made following the death of George Floyd in the United States.
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
30 Jun Health
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
ID member Silvia Sardone launched an attack on the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom, when he spoke to a parliamentary committee via video link.
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
30 Jun Agriculture & Food
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
Animal welfare campaign groups say the establishment of a special committee is particularly timely as the trade in live animal transportation is increasing across Europe.
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
29 Jun EU Institutions
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
Parliament cancelled all plenary sessions in the French city due to the spread of the Coronavirus - the last parliamentary session held there was in February.
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
29 Jun
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
It is hoped that the resumption of “physical” negotiations, as opposed to conference calls, will facilitate a speeding up of the deadlocked discussions.
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
26 Jun Justice
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
Germany takes over the rotating presidency from Croatia on 1 July, against a backdrop of crises, including the Coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the still-unapproved long-term EU budget.
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
25 Jun Justice
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
Senior MEP Danuta Hübner was speaking after MEPs adopted a resolution calling for the much-delayed conference to start as soon as possible.
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
25 Jun Health
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
The poll says that “majorities in all countries” complained that the EU “did not rise to the challenge” - this includes 63 percent in Italy and 61 percent in France, two of the worst-hit countries.
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
24 Jun Tech & Research
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
The verdict comes on the second anniversary of the landmark General Data Protection Regulation, the flagship EU law designed to protect personal data.
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
24 Jun International & Trade
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
The warning comes in a report by the EU agency which was presented to members of Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday.
Parliament praised for decision to set up special committee on cancer
24 Jun Health
Parliament praised for decision to set up special committee on cancer
The committee is tasked with identifying legislation and other measures that can help prevent and fight cancer, as well as examining ways to support further research into the disease.
Macron and Merkel have ‘lot of work to do’ to reach EU recovery plan deal, says senior MEP
23 Jun
Macron and Merkel have ‘lot of work to do’ to reach EU recovery plan deal, says senior MEP
Greens co-leader Philippe Lamberts was speaking on Tuesday ahead of a key meeting between the French President and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
23 Jun Justice
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
The condemnation, from a leading NGO, comes in the wake of an official complaint by black MEP Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana who said she had been a victim of alleged police violence by officers in Brussels.
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
22 Jun International & Trade
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
The controversial political strategist has served as chief adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson since July 2019.
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
19 Jun International & Trade
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group deputies warn ‘level playing field’ is an EU red line issue.
EU leaders mustn’t backtrack on Recovery Package, warns David Sassoli
19 Jun Industry & Finance
EU leaders mustn’t backtrack on Recovery Package, warns David Sassoli
There can be ‘no going back’ from level of ambition expressed in the Commission package, says European Parliament President.
Food and drink sector can help EU become benchmark for biodiversity, says industry chief Sponsored
19 Jun Agriculture & Food
Food and drink sector can help EU become benchmark for biodiversity, says industry chief
New FoodDrinkEurope president Marco Settembri says he wants Europe’s food sector to be a “gold standard of biodiversity”.
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
18 Jun Justice
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs said that China, and to a lesser extent, Russia, had “participated in this” during the ongoing health crisis.
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
18 Jun International & Trade
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
The co-author of a parliamentary report on Brexit said this is still the likely scenario despite “four years of drama and the UK painfully coming to grips” with its EU exit.
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
18 Jun Justice
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
Senior EU parliamentarians looking for national governments to move forward on crucial issues such as Rule of law, financing, Coronavirus recovery and future of Europe.
MEPs condemn George Floyd killing in plenary debate
17 Jun Justice
MEPs condemn George Floyd killing in plenary debate
The debate began with a personal story of alleged police violence on Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a German Greens MEP.
Parliament should have say on €750bn recovery plan implementation, say MEPs
16 Jun Industry & Finance
Parliament should have say on €750bn recovery plan implementation, say MEPs
Fears have emerged that Parliament will be sidelined in how the recovery package is implemented and President David Sassoli has publicly stated the institution “must be fully involved.”
EU and UK urged not to ‘indulge in a blame game’ over deadlocked Brexit talks
16 Jun International & Trade
EU and UK urged not to ‘indulge in a blame game’ over deadlocked Brexit talks
A senior member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group told this website the EU should still hold out for a “comprehensive” trade agreement with Britain and not the “piecemeal approach the UK wants.”
Key Brexit meeting concludes ‘more momentum’ needed to break deadlock
15 Jun International & Trade
Key Brexit meeting concludes ‘more momentum’ needed to break deadlock
The two sides had a video conference on Monday afternoon which appears to have amounted to little more than a stock-taking exercise.
MEPs ask Parliament to help support staff affected by Coronavirus crisis
15 Jun Health
MEPs ask Parliament to help support staff affected by Coronavirus crisis
A letter signed by several MEPs from the Greens, Socialists and GUE political groups says that scores of “service provider” employees have been affected by the crisis.
MEPs split on merits of a resolution on the UK’s exit from the EU
12 Jun International & Trade
MEPs split on merits of a resolution on the UK’s exit from the EU
The resolution, which has been subject to scores of amendments, will go to a vote later on Friday in two committees.
Commission recommends Schengen countries open internal borders ‘as soon as possible’
12 Jun Justice
Commission recommends Schengen countries open internal borders ‘as soon as possible’
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said that with the Coronavirus situation improving in all Member States, having internal border controls is no longer effective.