Martin Banks

Martin Banks is a senior reporter at the Parliament Magazine

New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
12 May Justice
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
Danger that Europe’s democratic culture will not fully recover, warns CoE secretary general.
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
12 May EU Institutions
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
Plenary sessions in the French city were suspended due to the health pandemic, but it is believed the plan is for MEPs to return in June.
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
11 May EU Institutions
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
After a year-long delay caused by the health crisis, the much-vaunted Conference on the Future of Europe finally launched on Sunday. It will last 12 months and aims to pave the way for major reform of the bloc.
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
11 May EU Institutions
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
The citizens’ panels will be an opportunity for the public to have their say on future EU reforms.
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
11 May EU Institutions
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
Exiled former Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Kremlin has infiltrated top echelons of European governments and ‘probably' has a source close to Angela Merkel.
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
07 May EU Institutions
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
At the two day meeting they will be asked to commit to quantitative targets in three areas: employment, skills and poverty.
Fresh efforts to salvage this weekend’s Conference on the Future of Europe launch
07 May EU Institutions
Fresh efforts to salvage this weekend’s Conference on the Future of Europe launch
Chance of Sunday’s launch going ahead believed to be ‘no more than 50:50’.
Students struggling to cope with flood of information from internet and digital services
06 May Tech & Research
Students struggling to cope with flood of information from internet and digital services
A new report found that only half of European students are taught to recognise if online information is biased, and less than one in 10 can successfully distinguish fact from opinions.
CoFoE mired in disagreement; given fifty-fifty chance of starting as planned
06 May EU Institutions
CoFoE mired in disagreement; given fifty-fifty chance of starting as planned
Senior figures involved in organising the Conference on the Future of Europe met on Wednesday in a bid to resolve outstanding issues in order to allow Sunday’s much-heralded launch to take place.
MEPs and NGOs give mixed response to Commission’s new Industrial Strategy
06 May Industry & Finance
MEPs and NGOs give mixed response to Commission’s new Industrial Strategy
The wide-ranging plan, already postponed twice, is a flagship EU policy which aims to give Europe’s ailing economies a much-needed post-pandemic boost.
MEPs pay tribute to Pablo Iglesias in wake of decision to quit politics
05 May International & Trade
MEPs pay tribute to Pablo Iglesias in wake of decision to quit politics
The former Spanish deputy announced his retirement from domestic politics following his party’s failure in the regional elections in Spain.
MEPs see upcoming Biden visit to Europe as chance to reinvigorate transatlantic relations
05 May International & Trade
MEPs see upcoming Biden visit to Europe as chance to reinvigorate transatlantic relations
US President Joe Biden will embark on his first overseas trip in office in June with the aim of demonstrating his administration’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance and reengagement with key allies.
European Commission recommends easing restrictions on non-essential overseas travel
04 May Health
European Commission recommends easing restrictions on non-essential overseas travel
The move reflects a major improvement in the rollout of the EU vaccination programme and falling Coronavirus infection rates.
Socialist leader urges upcoming CoFoE to take debate outside Brussels bubble
04 May EU Institutions
Socialist leader urges upcoming CoFoE to take debate outside Brussels bubble
Iratxe García Pérez said the Conference on the Future of Europe will only make progress if it includes those people who are often excluded from the public debate due to their age, gender or ethnicity.
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
04 May International & Trade
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
European Parliament president David Sassoli and Commission Vice President Vera Jourova barred from entering Russia.
EU marks World Press Freedom Day
04 May EU Institutions
EU marks World Press Freedom Day
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calls Press freedom a fundamental EU value.
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
30 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
Warning comes in letter to European Commission from organisations representing culture sector, including organisers of large-scale live events.
MEPs raise concern over EU committee’s findings on electronic cigarettes
30 Apr Health
MEPs raise concern over EU committee’s findings on electronic cigarettes
So-called SCHEER Committee was asked to focus on health impacts of e-cigarettes.
MEPs call for killers of Daphne Caruana Galizia to be brought to justice
29 Apr Justice
MEPs call for killers of Daphne Caruana Galizia to be brought to justice
In a resolution, deputies also hailed recent improvements to the rule of law in Malta.
MEPs rally to support leading Spanish politicians in the wake of death threats
29 Apr Justice
MEPs rally to support leading Spanish politicians in the wake of death threats
Several senior political figures in Spain have been targeted in recent days, including former MEP Pablo Iglesias, along with María Gámez, Reyes Maroto and Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
EESC demands ‘full say’ in upcoming Conference on Future of Europe
29 Apr EU Institutions
EESC demands ‘full say’ in upcoming Conference on Future of Europe
The body representing civil society in Europe says it wants to be in the “driving seat” of the Conference that starts on 9 May and will last a year.
Senior MEP lambasts ‘prohibitive’ charges for COVID-19 testing
28 Apr Health
Senior MEP lambasts ‘prohibitive’ charges for COVID-19 testing
Dutch member Sophie in ‘t Veld voiced “real concern” at pricing for the tests in most of the EU.
EU faces fresh calls to take ‘clear and resolute action’ against Vladimir Putin
28 Apr International & Trade
EU faces fresh calls to take ‘clear and resolute action’ against Vladimir Putin
A parliamentary debate with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will see Russia again at the forefront of deliberations for MEPs on Wednesday.
MEPs give green light to EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
28 Apr International & Trade
MEPs give green light to EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
The ratification of the deal, which sets out the future relationship between the EU and the UK, is the final legal hurdle in the long-running Brexit saga.
MEPs and NGOs voice concern over post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement
27 Apr International & Trade
MEPs and NGOs voice concern over post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement
This comes just ahead of the final ratification of the EU-UK TCA by the European Parliament on Tuesday.
MEPs to debate Maltese government’s links to murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia
27 Apr EU Institutions
MEPs to debate Maltese government’s links to murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia
European Parliament concerned that Maltese Government is obstructing ‘path to justice’ for assassinated investigative journalist.
New bid to introduce voting reform for next EU Parliament elections
26 Apr EU Institutions
New bid to introduce voting reform for next EU Parliament elections
European Parliament’s Socialists pushing for a fully-fledged ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ process to be introduced for 2024 vote.
Conference on Future of Europe must not be ‘pie in the sky’ affair warns Angela Merkel
26 Apr EU Institutions
Conference on Future of Europe must not be ‘pie in the sky’ affair warns Angela Merkel
Long-awaited forum must be relatable to Europe’s citizens, says outgoing German Chancellor.
Hungarian MEP raises questions over his country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan
23 Apr EU Institutions
Hungarian MEP raises questions over his country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan
István Ujhelyi says there’s been no meaningful consultation on the plan by Viktor Orbán’s government.
Treaty change may be needed to give EU powers it needs to tackle future health pandemics
23 Apr Health
Treaty change may be needed to give EU powers it needs to tackle future health pandemics
Upcoming Conference on Future of Europe touted as forum to consider implications of treaty change.
NGO claims EU climate policy ‘not coherent’ with bloc’s stance on peace and human rights
23 Apr Energy & Climate
NGO claims EU climate policy ‘not coherent’ with bloc’s stance on peace and human rights
Quaker Council says Europe’s military sectors operating under a “state of exemption” with goals of European Green deal.
European Commission urged to do more to support efforts to contain Coronavirus pandemic in Africa
23 Apr International & Trade
European Commission urged to do more to support efforts to contain Coronavirus pandemic in Africa
EU also told to jettison ‘Big Charity’ model and treat continent like a true partner.
EU commissioners welcome campaign to end caged farming
22 Apr Agriculture & Food
EU commissioners welcome campaign to end caged farming
The three commissioners were speaking in a public hearing on the European Citizens’ Initiative, ‘End the Cage Age’, which has now been signed by 1.4 million people across all Member States.
Dismay in some quarters after Parliament fails to clinch 60 percent climate target
22 Apr Energy & Climate
Dismay in some quarters after Parliament fails to clinch 60 percent climate target
Early on Wednesday, it was announced the EU’s three main institutions had reached a deal on the EU Climate Law. The three-way talks lasted 14 hours and ended at 5.15am.
Angela Merkel urges Turkey to rethink withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
21 Apr Justice
Angela Merkel urges Turkey to rethink withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Merkel used a speech to the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe to pile pressure on Turkish President Recep Erdoğan to reconsider his decision.
Parliament, Commission and Member States strike ‘landmark’ climate deal
21 Apr Energy & Climate
Parliament, Commission and Member States strike ‘landmark’ climate deal
The EU Climate Law enshrines the bloc’s commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.