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
Brexit: A painful parting tinged with the hope of reconciliation
18 Jan
Brexit: A painful parting tinged with the hope of reconciliation
The Brexit deal represents a victory for poisonous nationalistic populism, but once the emptiness of the Global Britain agenda becomes apparent it will create a new opportunity to make a pro-European case, writes Roger Liddle.
Brexit deal has ‘ability to evolve’ in coming years, says former UK government minister
18 Jan
Brexit deal has ‘ability to evolve’ in coming years, says former UK government minister
David Lidington, the UK’s Europe minister from 2010 to 2016, said the agreement reached between the two sides on Christmas Eve is “a lot better than a No Deal and a crash out of the EU.”
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
18 Jan
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
A new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights “certain challenges” faced by the EU and its Member States since the outbreak of the health crisis last March.
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Alexei Navalny arrest in Russia
18 Jan
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Alexei Navalny arrest in Russia
The Russian opposition leader, who survived a Novichok poisoning attempt in August, was detained by Russian authorities on his return to Russia on Sunday.
Energy solutions for a green future – some key takeaways to chew over Partner Content
18 Jan
Energy solutions for a green future – some key takeaways to chew over
Katrina Sichel reports on Liquid Gas Europe’s recent event.
Europe can become an innovative space technology hub, says Thierry Breton
15 Jan
Europe can become an innovative space technology hub, says Thierry Breton
But EU also faces ‘enormous challenges’ and risks losing ground in the space sector, warns internal market commissioner.
Issue 528 | 18 January 2021
15 Jan
Issue 528 | 18 January 2021
Welcome back and a happy new year to all our readers from The Parliament Magazine team.
MEPs pay tribute to Marielle de Sarnez
14 Jan
MEPs pay tribute to Marielle de Sarnez
De Sarnez, who was an MEP from 1999 until 2017, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 69.
Donald Trump impeached for a second time
14 Jan
Donald Trump impeached for a second time
Trump has been impeached for inciting the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol, making him the only president in US history who has been impeached twice.
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
13 Jan
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
Sandra Gallina, who is leading the vaccine negotiations for the EU, told MEPs, “we have the vaccines, they are coming.”
A new Saudi Arabia beckons European tourists and investors. Could these changes bring Brussels and Riyadh closer? Partner Content
13 Jan
A new Saudi Arabia beckons European tourists and investors. Could these changes bring Brussels and Riyadh closer?
Could the Arab nation’s vision of transforming into a tourist hub by 2030 bring the Kingdom closer to Europe? Muddassar Ahmed reports.
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
12 Jan
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
The UK is seen as having stolen a march on the rest of Europe by vaccinating tens of thousands of citizens after approving two types of vaccine.
MEPs ‘regret’ being unable to scrutinise Brexit deal before it came into force
12 Jan
MEPs ‘regret’ being unable to scrutinise Brexit deal before it came into force
Monday’s debate by members of Parliament’s trade committee was the first time MEPs have discussed the EU-UK trade and partnership agreement since its announcement on Christmas Eve.
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
11 Jan
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
European Parliament Vice-President Nicola Beer says the executive must give MEPs “precise answers” to avoid damage to the reputation of the EU and its institutions.
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
08 Jan
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
Ursula von der Leyen says there are now 2.3 billion vaccine doses on order from six different pharma companies.
MEPs call on EU to provide ‘lifeboat policy’ for persecuted Hong Kong dissidents
08 Jan
MEPs call on EU to provide ‘lifeboat policy’ for persecuted Hong Kong dissidents
Demand follows arrest of prominent pro-democracy advocates by China.
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
08 Jan
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
Denial follows criticism that EU has been slow to roll out vaccines.
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
07 Jan
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
While UK has rolled out its second vaccine, many EU member states only just beginning vaccination programmes.
MEPs shocked by violent events in Washington DC; congratulate Joe Biden on confirmation of election victory
07 Jan
MEPs shocked by violent events in Washington DC; congratulate Joe Biden on confirmation of election victory
US Capitol Hill rioting a warning of the dangers of populism, conspiracy theories and the platforms that spread them, says senior MEP.
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
07 Jan
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Romanian MEP Vlad Gheorghe argues that a common EU approach is the best way to ensure vaccines are delivered quickly and safely. Martin Banks reports.
EU reacts to pro-trump mob’s storming of US Capitol
07 Jan
EU reacts to pro-trump mob’s storming of US Capitol
MEPs lay blame for violent overnight scenes in Washington at President Donald Trump’s feet.
The EU is walking back from anti-palm oil bigotry Partner Content
06 Jan
The EU is walking back from anti-palm oil bigotry
At the EU-ASEAN summit on 1 December 2020, a remarkable thing happened. The European Union agreed to a new conciliatory approach to palm oil, writes Robert Hii.
Manfred Weber blasts Viktor Orbán over nationalist-populist approach and culture war
05 Jan
Manfred Weber blasts Viktor Orbán over nationalist-populist approach and culture war
The controversial Hungarian Prime Minister has been accused by the EPP group leader of wanting to "destroy" the EU in a scathing interview.
Erasmus: A missed opportunity for the UK's young people
05 Jan
Erasmus: A missed opportunity for the UK's young people
Boris Johnson’s decision to withdraw the UK from the EU’s flagship student exchange programme will have damaging effects on Britain's youth, argues Hywel Ceri Jones.