Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal
11 Sep EU Institutions

Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal

The Commission chief’s State of the Union defence of the pact she negotiated with Donald Trump drew fire from across the political spectrum. But the real battle is over whether the pro-EU majority will keep her second term afloat.
by Federica Di Sario
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
09 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
10 Sep EU Institutions
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
Russia-China landmark pipeline deal tilts global energy politics
05 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
Russia-China landmark pipeline deal tilts global energy politics
18 Dec 20
‘Everyone fed up with waiting for Godot’ says MEP, as Brexit talks expected to go down to the wire
Meanwhile EU negotiator Michel Barnier says there is still a chance of a Brexit deal, ‘but the path to it is very narrow’.
18 Dec 20
Tamas Deutsch suspended from EPP group following ‘Gestapo’ remarks
Punishment stops short of outright expulsion of Hungarian Fidesz party MEP.
18 Dec 20
MEPs on potential collision course with European Commission and Member States over 'rule of law' clause
European Parliament resolution insists controversial clause should be introduced ‘with immediate effect’.
18 Dec 20
EU agrees post-Christmas vaccination plan
However, strategy depends on European Medicines Agency giving its approval for BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
18 Dec 20
Issue 527 | 21 December 2020
European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli graces the cover of this issue. After the Coronavirus pandemic exposed many of the inequalities still besetting the world in the twenty-first century, she tells Deputy Editor Lorna Hutchinson it’s time to double down on justice.
17 Dec 20
Parliament’s group leaders ready for extraordinary plenary if Brexit deal reached by Sunday
After meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday, the Conference of Presidents said they stand ready to organise an extraordinary plenary session towards the end of December in the event that an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday 20 December.
17 Dec 20
5 Questions with... Nacho Sánchez Amor
Nacho Sánchez Amor (ES, S&D) is a member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee
16 Dec 20
European Commission receives mixed response to Digital Services and Digital Markets acts
The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) represent the biggest revision of internet rules in 20 years, with the DSA introducing new rules for tech giants such as Facebook and Google.
16 Dec 20
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.
16 Dec 20
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.
16 Dec 20
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.
16 Dec 20
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.
15 Dec 20
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.
Partner Content
15 Dec 20
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.
15 Dec 20
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.
14 Dec 20
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.
14 Dec 20
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.”
14 Dec 20
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.
11 Dec 20
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.
11 Dec 20
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.
11 Dec 20
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.
11 Dec 20
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.
11 Dec 20
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’.
11 Dec 20
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.