Q+A: Brussels breathes a 'sigh of relief' following Romanian election
19 May Foreign & Security Policy

Q+A: Brussels breathes a 'sigh of relief' following Romanian election

Centrist Nicușor Dan triumphed over nationalist George Simion in Romania's presidential election on Sunday, reaffirming the country’s role in the EU and NATO.
by Arno Van Rensbergen
Op-ed: Green agenda must be the heart of the Clean Industrial Deal
19 May EU Institutions
Op-ed: Green agenda must be the heart of the Clean Industrial Deal
Portuguese voters head the polls — again
16 May Foreign & Security Policy
Portuguese voters head the polls — again
Poland’s presidential vote puts reform agenda to the test
15 May EU Institutions
Poland’s presidential vote puts reform agenda to the test
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
16 Dec
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
Iratxe García Pérez was speaking as Brexit talks continue in Brussels and with the 31 December deadline for the end of the transition period looming on the horizon.
Benefitting from early action
16 Dec
Benefitting from early action
The European Commission and the German Council Presidency have been shown to be prescient in their approach to Coronavirus vaccine procurement; we all stand to benefit soon, believes Peter Liese.
DSA: time for Europe to join the digital revolution
16 Dec
DSA: time for Europe to join the digital revolution
The Digital Services Act is our opportunity to shape the internet for the future that citizens, not companies, seek. We should seize this chance, says Marina Kaljurand.
DSA: an opportunity to retake the online marketplace?
16 Dec
DSA: an opportunity to retake the online marketplace?
The balance of power on internet platforms is too heavily in favour of big technology companies; the DSA should be the opportunity for us to redress the balance, urges Alexandra Geese.
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
15 Dec
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
German EPP deputy Peter Liese took aim at Matt Hancock after his assertion that “because of Brexit” the UK had been able to approve the Pfizer vaccine rather than wait for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to do so.
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer Partner Content
15 Dec
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU. 1.3 million people die from cancer each year. Therefore, the upcoming European Beating Cancer Plan is a historic opportunity to improve public health in Europe, but to be successful the EU must be brave enough to endorse new approaches. Vaping must finally be endorsed to beat cancer, writes World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Transparency is key to widespread vaccination
15 Dec
Transparency is key to widespread vaccination
The pressing need for a vaccine against COVID-19 is understandable, but it is no reason to dispense with the transparency we are entitled to expect when negotiating contracts, says Tilly Metz.
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
14 Dec
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
The report, commissioned by Greens MEPs Terry Reintke and Tineke Strik, says that a number of EU governments have “brazenly” used the pandemic as an excuse to curtail rights such as free speech, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
14 Dec
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
A spokesman told reporters, “We are at a very late stage. The more time that goes by the less likely it is that we will have a deal in place on the first of January. This is a statement of fact.”
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
14 Dec
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
The Gulf state has undergone major economic and social changes in recent years and can be a strategic partner for Europe in the region, writes Tomáš Zdechovský.
EU agrees tough new 2030 climate targets
11 Dec
EU agrees tough new 2030 climate targets
But new plan to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent over the next decade, criticised for falling short of the scale of emission reduction needed.
DSA: a more sustainable digital single market
11 Dec
DSA: a more sustainable digital single market
The digital environment has changed out of all recognition in recent years; it is now a central part of our daily lives. Let’s ensure current legislation reflects this new reality, writes Alex Agius Saliba.
Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
11 Dec
Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that EU level cooperation is now essential in order to mitigate the differences in Member States’ healthcare strategies, argues Katerina Konecná.
Human rights are key
11 Dec
Human rights are key
Human rights violations of people living with or at risk of HIV, particularly LGBTI persons, continue to have major consequences for the effectiveness of the HIV response, write Marc Angel and Sophie in t’ Veld.
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
11 Dec
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
Business groups welcome long-awaited deal, but critics call ‘rule of law’ compromise a ‘capitulation’.
EU institutions reach agreement on new interinstitutional transparency register
11 Dec
EU institutions reach agreement on new interinstitutional transparency register
Senior Polish MEP Danuta Hübner says move marks important step towards a more open and accountable European Union.
Despite COVID-19, the EU’s priorities for long-term sustainability and competitiveness are clear, argues Sandro Gozi
11 Dec
Despite COVID-19, the EU’s priorities for long-term sustainability and competitiveness are clear, argues Sandro Gozi
EU can position itself as a global leader in innovation and sustainable growth, says French MEP.
EU-Maldives: real partners
11 Dec
EU-Maldives: real partners
We must avoid being introspective on the impact of COVID-19 and instead consider the plight of nations whose economies have been particularly impacted, such as the Maldives, writes Tomáš Zdechovský.
EU Member States should use COVID-19 recovery plans to drive new investment in education
11 Dec
EU Member States should use COVID-19 recovery plans to drive new investment in education
The Coronavirus crisis may provide the impetus to reform our education systems and make them more relevant and resilient, writes Dace Melbārde.
European Medicines Agency chief says safe and effective vaccine will not be ‘silver bullet’ on its own
10 Dec
European Medicines Agency chief says safe and effective vaccine will not be ‘silver bullet’ on its own
EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said, “A vaccine will become a key component but, on its own, it will not be the silver bullet which will allow us to return to normal life.”
MEPs tell EU leaders that bloc's values are ‘non-negotiable’ as summit kicks off
10 Dec
MEPs tell EU leaders that bloc's values are ‘non-negotiable’ as summit kicks off
A petition, signed by 27 deputies from various groups, also urges leaders not to accept blackmailing from Poland and Hungary.
Sunday is crunch day as EU and UK set another Brexit deadline
10 Dec
Sunday is crunch day as EU and UK set another Brexit deadline
A dinner meeting between Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson in Brussels on Wednesday evening failed to yield a breakthrough in the deadlocked talks.
Russia’s double-game in Belarus Partner Content
10 Dec
Russia’s double-game in Belarus
It is crucial that the EU and US simultaneously support the protestors, pressure Lukashenko and prevent Russia from growing its influence in the country, writes former Bulgarian foreign minister Daniel Mitov.
Human Rights Day: Women's rights are human rights
10 Dec
Human Rights Day: Women's rights are human rights
The rights of women are under threat of being rolled back in the shadow of COVID-19 and ultra-conservative governments. Lorna Hutchinson reports.