Interview: Séjourné’s quest for competitiveness
05 Jun EU Institutions

Interview: Séjourné’s quest for competitiveness

As the EU seeks to boost its competitiveness amid mounting economic headwinds, the European Commission's Stéphane Séjourné calls for deepening the single market and a 'Buy European' approach.
by Matt Lynes
The Parliament's June print edition is out now
06 Jun EU Institutions
The Parliament's June print edition is out now
Op-ed: How Mediterranean overfishing can be reversed
06 Jun EU Institutions
Op-ed: How Mediterranean overfishing can be reversed
Q+A: Why the Dutch government collapsed — and why it matters
04 Jun Foreign & Security Policy
Q+A: Why the Dutch government collapsed — and why it matters
Dismay in some quarters after Parliament fails to clinch 60 percent climate target
22 Apr
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.
European Parliament sets date for Brexit trade deal ratification vote
22 Apr
European Parliament sets date for Brexit trade deal ratification vote
A mere eight days before the expiry of the agreement being provisionally applied, Parliament announced that a plenary vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) will take place on April 27.
Copernicus: European State of the Climate 2020 underlines the need for united action on climate change Partner Content
22 Apr
Copernicus: European State of the Climate 2020 underlines the need for united action on climate change
The European State of the Climate 2020 is an annual report compiled by the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The newly published report confirms that 2020 was Europe’s warmest year, beating past records. Worldwide, it was one of three hottest years on record.
EU Parliamentarians welcome guilty verdict in George Floyd murder trial
21 Apr
EU Parliamentarians welcome guilty verdict in George Floyd murder trial
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of 46-year-old George Floyd.
Angela Merkel urges Turkey to rethink withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
21 Apr
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
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.
EU parliament leaders voice concern over Russia’s alleged involvement in Czech arms depot explosion
21 Apr
EU parliament leaders voice concern over Russia’s alleged involvement in Czech arms depot explosion
Group leaders condemn ‘unacceptable act of hostility’ on sovereign EU territory.
Conference on the Future of Europe digital platform launched
20 Apr
Conference on the Future of Europe digital platform launched
The digital tool aims to provide EU citizens with a platform to share and exchange their ideas and views on the future of the Union through online events.
It’s time for ‘Smart Divergence’ Partner Content
20 Apr
It’s time for ‘Smart Divergence’
Following its departure from the EU, the UK should seek to lead the world in reducing the costs of compliance, says Daniel Schlaepfer.
EU foreign affairs ministers face calls for fresh sanctions against Russia
19 Apr
EU foreign affairs ministers face calls for fresh sanctions against Russia
MEPs also call for plenary debate on the current Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian border.
Time to give animal vaccination a booster Partner Content
19 Apr
Time to give animal vaccination a booster
The Coronavirus pandemic has raised awareness of the relationship between animal and human health and the crucial role that preventative measures can play in ensuring that “normal” life returns, writes AnimalhealthEurope’s Roxane Feller.
Eradicating the legacy of slavery
16 Apr
Eradicating the legacy of slavery
Declarations marking slavery as a crime are important as a symbol of progress, but we need more than words; we must ensure the legacy of slavery is eliminated, writes Younous Omarjee.
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout Partner Content
16 Apr
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout
The European Commission President has faced fresh calls to quit following debacles over vaccines and repeated lockdowns.
Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances Partner Content
16 Apr
Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances
Despite approval from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committees, the European Parliament has decided not to set a date for the final vote until the UK fully implements the Withdrawal Agreement.
Jourová says Commission following ‘with concern’ Polish Ombudsman removal
15 Apr
Jourová says Commission following ‘with concern’ Polish Ombudsman removal
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal has removed human rights watchdog Adam Bodnar from his position, eliminating one of the last vestiges of independent scrutiny of the PiS government.
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
15 Apr
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
The issue is one of several “disturbing” new trends noted by the agency in a new report.
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
15 Apr
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
While the plenary vote on the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) has been delayed, the two committees will have their say this afternoon.
Leeds: The UK financial powerhouse planning a digital future at the heart of Europe Partner Content
15 Apr
Leeds: The UK financial powerhouse planning a digital future at the heart of Europe
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive at Leeds City Council, believes that while the city is well placed to help transform the UK’s economic infrastructure, continuing to build relationships with European partners will be key to its ongoing success.
How Europe can deliver a sustainable built environment Partner Content
15 Apr
How Europe can deliver a sustainable built environment
A life cycle, material neutral approach is key to decarbonising European buildings, writes CEMBUREAU’s Koen Coppenholle.
Parliament delays Brexit trade deal ratification; MEP says ‘cool heads must prevail’
14 Apr
Parliament delays Brexit trade deal ratification; MEP says ‘cool heads must prevail’
Members of the committees on trade and foreign affairs will vote on the deal on Thursday, but the vote in plenary will take place at a later, thus far undefined, date.
Commission announces accelerated delivery of 50m BioNTech-Pfizer vaccines
14 Apr
Commission announces accelerated delivery of 50m BioNTech-Pfizer vaccines
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the additional doses will be available in the second quarter, starting in April, rather than in the last quarter of this year as originally planned.
Campaigners to step up efforts to ban use of cages for farmed animals
14 Apr
Campaigners to step up efforts to ban use of cages for farmed animals
Renewed calls for a ban will come when Parliament holds a hearing on the ‘End the Cage Age’ European Citizens’ Initiative.
First step towards sainthood of Robert Schuman is ‘wonderful’, says senior MEP
13 Apr
First step towards sainthood of Robert Schuman is ‘wonderful’, says senior MEP
It is reported that Pope Francis could recognise the “heroic virtues” of one of the EU’s founding fathers within weeks.
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
13 Apr
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
In its 2020 annual report on the state of human rights around the world, the charity says the health pandemic has thrown into stark relief, and sometimes aggravated, existing inequalities and patterns of abuse.