Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target
08 May Foreign & Security Policy

Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target

With Spain pledging to spend 2% of its GDP on defence, PM Pedro Sánchez faces scepticism as he stretches the definition of military spending. Around Europe, not everyone is impressed.
by Arno Van Rensbergen
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
07 May EU Institutions
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
07 May Culture & Arts
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
05 May Foreign & Security Policy
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
EU needs 'paradigm shift' in climate policy to reach Paris agreement goals
02 Mar
EU needs 'paradigm shift' in climate policy to reach Paris agreement goals
A wide-ranging new study published on Wednesday by the Öko Institut Berlin has outlined how the EU should revise its climate commitments.
Issue 471 | 05 March 2018
02 Mar
Issue 471 | 05 March 2018
Siegfried Mureşan interview, Budgetary Policy & the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, Plastics Strategy & Circular Economy, Digital Single Market, Mental Health, Myanmar, Diversity, International Women's Day, 5 questions with Terry Reintke and more...
Brexit: UK releases new policy paper on citizens' rights
02 Mar
Brexit: UK releases new policy paper on citizens' rights
Guy Verhofstadt has welcomed the UK government’s decision to extend the offer of settled status to anyone who goes to the UK during the Brexit transition period.
Brexit: Ball is in Theresa May's court on Northern Ireland issue, say MEPs
02 Mar
Brexit: Ball is in Theresa May's court on Northern Ireland issue, say MEPs
MEPs react to the EU's draft proposal for a common regulatory area after Brexit on the island of Ireland.
European Parliament to launch probe into Martin Selmayr promotion
01 Mar
European Parliament to launch probe into Martin Selmayr promotion
German official’s appointment as European Commission Secretary-General branded a ‘cloak-and-dagger operation’ that needs parliamentary examination. 
British MEPs quit Conservative-led group in European Parliament
01 Mar
British MEPs quit Conservative-led group in European Parliament
Julie Girling has defended her decision to quit the European Parliament’s ECR group.
Row brews over EU ‘backstop’ position on Irish border question
28 Feb
Row brews over EU ‘backstop’ position on Irish border question
However, EU says draft Brexit negotiating text should come as no surprise to London.
New 'Green Card' initiative would guarantee rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons in the EU
28 Feb
New 'Green Card' initiative would guarantee rights of EU citizens in the UK and Britons in the EU
A GreenCard4Europe could break the impasse on citizens’ rights, argues Roger Casale
Long-term British expats could soon win right to vote in UK general elections
27 Feb
Long-term British expats could soon win right to vote in UK general elections
Campaigners have welcomed plans to abolish the rule which bans UK voters overseas from voting in British general elections after they have been abroad for period of 15 years or more.
EU must steel itself for protracted fight over plastics, warns Friends of the Earth Europe
26 Feb
EU must steel itself for protracted fight over plastics, warns Friends of the Earth Europe
Few environmental problems have thrust themselves into the public consciousness as quickly as plastics, writes Meadhbh Bolger.
Movers and Shakers | 26 February 2018
26 Feb
Movers and Shakers | 26 February 2018
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our movers and shakers column. on 26 February 2018
UK may have to make payments into EU budget during Brexit transition period
23 Feb
UK may have to make payments into EU budget during Brexit transition period
London could also lose its rebate if it extends the Brexit transition period beyond 2020.
EU leaders to debate re-use of Spitzenkandidaten process for 2019 European elections
23 Feb
EU leaders to debate re-use of Spitzenkandidaten process for 2019 European elections
MEPs warn EU heads of state and government that they will not accept a 'back room' deal candidate for post of European Commission president..
Myanmar: The world is watching as human rights collapse
23 Feb
Myanmar: The world is watching as human rights collapse
The international community has let itself become a spectator in the tragic and complete collapse of human rights in Myanmar, writes Amjad Bashir.
The future of Europe depends on research
23 Feb
The future of Europe depends on research
Bolstering Europe’s research excellency is about more than increasing the EU’s competitiveness, explains Soledad Cabezón Ruiz.
EU research needs more funding
23 Feb
EU research needs more funding
With Horizon 2020 becoming a victim of its own success, EU research needs more funding, writes Lieve Wierinck.
Saudi foreign minister in EU Parliament to defend country's role in Yemen war
22 Feb
Saudi foreign minister in EU Parliament to defend country's role in Yemen war
The Saudi foreign minister has told MEPs his country has a zero-tolerance approach to Islamic terrorism.
EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is mutually beneficial
22 Feb
EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is mutually beneficial
The EU-Morocco fisheries agreement should be considered within the bigger picture of relations between both parties, which are of crucial importance for both sides' economies, as well as other issues including migration and the fight against terrorism, explains Gilles Pargneaux.
EU Industry Day: Policymakers must support a robust EU manufacturing sector
22 Feb
EU Industry Day: Policymakers must support a robust EU manufacturing sector
Last July, Parliament underlined EU industry needs public funding and a long-term vision, says Paloma López Bermejo.
EU Industry Day: Industry has always been at the heart of Commission's priorities
22 Feb
EU Industry Day: Industry has always been at the heart of Commission's priorities
Looking to the future of European industry, there’s more cause for optimism than at any time in the last decade, says Lowri Evans.
Martin Selmayr named as new EU Commission Secretary-General
21 Feb
Martin Selmayr named as new EU Commission Secretary-General
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has announced a major shakeup of his inner circle.
5 questions with... Julie Ward
21 Feb
5 questions with... Julie Ward
Julie Ward (S&D, UK) is a member of Parliament’s culture and education committee.
Charles Tannock: UK commitment to EU defence post-Brexit 'should not be remotely questioned'
21 Feb
Charles Tannock: UK commitment to EU defence post-Brexit 'should not be remotely questioned'
UK ECR group MEP Charles Tannock says that Britain’s commitment to European defence post-Brexit “should not be remotely questioned.”
Farm land in Europe: How to ensure fair ownership?
21 Feb
Farm land in Europe: How to ensure fair ownership?
The selling-off of agricultural land started several years ago, but since the 2008 financial crisis poured more oil onto an already blazing fire, it’s been burning brightly in Europe, writes Maria Noichl.