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
Digital skill and political will: Europe must raise the game to tame Google Partner Content
08 Dec
Digital skill and political will: Europe must raise the game to tame Google
Kelkoo Group CEO Richard Stables calls for Europe’s public and private sectors to come together to level the online playing field and hold Big Tech companies to account.
5 Questions with... José Ramón Bauzá Díaz
07 Dec
5 Questions with... José Ramón Bauzá Díaz
José Ramón Bauzá Díaz (ES, RE) is a member of Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee.
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita Partner Content
07 Dec
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita
The EU-Morocco relationship needs to transcend notions of ‘us and them’ and provide a clear political perspective to each partner’s ambitions, explains Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
Commission hits back at claims that UK approved COVID-19 vaccine first because it is a ‘much better country’
07 Dec
Commission hits back at claims that UK approved COVID-19 vaccine first because it is a ‘much better country’
The Commission’s chief spokesman said, “This is not a football competition. It is about the lives of people.”
MEP slams EU’s failure to sanction Hungary and Poland for alleged rule of law violations
07 Dec
MEP slams EU’s failure to sanction Hungary and Poland for alleged rule of law violations
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, French Greens/EFA deputy Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield partly blamed the Commission for what she says is a failure to act fully against both countries.
Huawei: Leaving no one behind Partner Content
07 Dec
Huawei: Leaving no one behind
Huawei is committed to openness, collaboration, and shared success, says its chairman Liang Hua.
Von der Leyen and Johnson set for make-or-break Brexit call
07 Dec
Von der Leyen and Johnson set for make-or-break Brexit call
The European Commission President and the UK Prime Minister will assess an eleventh-hour attempt to salvage a Brexit trade deal during a phone conversation on Monday at 5pm CET.
MEPs recollect memories of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
07 Dec
MEPs recollect memories of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing
Giscard d'Estaing, who died last week aged 94, was the president of France from 1974-81 and became a champion of European integration.
Issue 526 | 7 December 2020
07 Dec
Issue 526 | 7 December 2020
This year’s MEP Awards host, Bulgarian EPP deputy Eva Maydell, graces the cover of this issue. Along with Parliament Magazine Managing Editor Brian Johnson, Maydell presented an evening of accolades, surprise guests, quizzes and prizes in celebration of the European Parliament’s hardworking deputies and their staff. Read all about the festivities inside.
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing: A trailblazer for Europe
03 Dec
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing: A trailblazer for Europe
As one of the architects of the first European monetary system and direct elections for the European Parliament in 1979, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing helped lay the foundation of the modern European Union, writes Denis MacShane.
MEPs say József Szájer case highlights ‘hypocrisy’ of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party
03 Dec
MEPs say József Szájer case highlights ‘hypocrisy’ of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party
They also say that the highly publicised affair should “shine a light” on current anti-LGBTI policies in Hungary.
International Disability Day: A turning point for disability rights in Europe
03 Dec
International Disability Day: A turning point for disability rights in Europe
The pandemic has wreaked havoc for the millions of persons with disabilities in Europe. But after a devastating year, the next EU budget and the new Disability Rights Strategy bring hope.
International Disability Day: Leaving no disabled person behind
03 Dec
International Disability Day: Leaving no disabled person behind
The upcoming Disability Rights Strategy aims to ensure that every disabled citizen enjoys full participation in society, explains Stelios Kympouropoulos.
International Disability Day: Masking communication
03 Dec
International Disability Day: Masking communication
Many people with disabling hearing loss are suffering from isolation and exclusion, because they cannot interact easily when wearing a face mask; transparent masks provide a solution, writes Ádám Kósa.
Belgium and other EU countries could be set to follow UK with vaccine rollout
02 Dec
Belgium and other EU countries could be set to follow UK with vaccine rollout
On Tuesday it was announced that the UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for mass vaccination.
Commission warns of ‘significant’ spending cuts if no agreement reached on EU budget
02 Dec
Commission warns of ‘significant’ spending cuts if no agreement reached on EU budget
The €1.85 trillion fiscal package is currently being blocked by Hungary and Poland because each objects to the rule of law mechanism which ties funding for each Member State to an obligation to respect fundamental EU values.
Commission defends preparations for No Deal Brexit; says ‘we’ve done all we can’
02 Dec
Commission defends preparations for No Deal Brexit; says ‘we’ve done all we can’
This comes with criticism mounting that No Deal preparations on both sides of the Channel are woefully inadequate.
MEP Awards 2020: Reaction and comment from our winners
02 Dec
MEP Awards 2020: Reaction and comment from our winners
Last night’s ‘virtual’ MEP Awards ceremony celebrated the contribution that MEPs make to the everyday lives of Europeans.
Hungarian MEP József Szájer admits he was among those arrested at party in Brussels
01 Dec
Hungarian MEP József Szájer admits he was among those arrested at party in Brussels
The incident happened at the weekend when police raided a bar in the centre of the city, well known locally as a gay area.
World AIDS Day: Strengthening LGBTI persons’ human rights is critical for HIV response
01 Dec
World AIDS Day: Strengthening LGBTI persons’ human rights is critical for HIV response
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.
COVID-19: a wake-up call for Europe and the world Partner Content
01 Dec
COVID-19: a wake-up call for Europe and the world
Current attempts to reshape the European Union's health policy are going in the right direction, but they still need firm support from Member States to implement people-centred and needs-driven health services, write AHF Europe.
Poor air quality causes over 400,000 premature deaths in EU each year
30 Nov
Poor air quality causes over 400,000 premature deaths in EU each year
A new report has revealed that exposure to fine particulate matter caused about 417,000 premature deaths in 41 European countries in 2018.
MEPs and NGOs call for ‘immediate’ ban on ivory imports into EU
30 Nov
MEPs and NGOs call for ‘immediate’ ban on ivory imports into EU
They say the move is urgently needed to combat a trade that sees at least 20,000 African elephants killed illegally for their ivory.
United for the Future of Europe
30 Nov
United for the Future of Europe
Civil society can play an essential role in shaping Europe’s post-COVID future, writes EESC President Christa Schweng.