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
Pandemic should be ‘wake-up call’ on Parliament’s split site arrangement, says MEP
14 Oct
Pandemic should be ‘wake-up call’ on Parliament’s split site arrangement, says MEP
Irish MEP Clare Daly’s demand comes with the institution set to return to Strasbourg next week for its first plenary in the city since the start of the crisis.
Support for Scottish independence at record high
14 Oct
Support for Scottish independence at record high
A poll conducted by Ipsos MORI shows 58 percent of Scots in favour of leaving the United Kingdom.
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
14 Oct
Former US ambassador to the EU says US election is chance for the country ‘to return to decency’
Anthony Gardner said, “This election is a battle for the soul of the country. It is a battle for democracy in the US. This is not an exaggeration.”
Armenia is targeting civilians during the agreed ceasefire Partner Content
14 Oct
Armenia is targeting civilians during the agreed ceasefire
Weapons are being shipped to Armenia under the guise of ‘aid’, which are then being used to target Ganja, Azerbaijan’s second largest city, killing and injuring civilians and destroying homes and properties, says Azerbaijan MP Könül Nurullayeva.
Circular Economy Action Plan: Is focus on consumerism and GDP growth a cause for concern?
14 Oct
Circular Economy Action Plan: Is focus on consumerism and GDP growth a cause for concern?
Mick Wallace says EU’s fixation with growth ‘a massive problem’ in delivering radical economic change.
Beating Cancer: Prevention must be ‘cornerstone’ of EU’s new approach
14 Oct
Beating Cancer: Prevention must be ‘cornerstone’ of EU’s new approach
European Parliament's new Special Committee on Beating Cancer will ensure EU focuses on decisive and comprehensive action, explains Nicolae Ștefănuță.
Digital Services Act an ‘incredible opportunity for EU to set global standards’ says Greens MEP
13 Oct
Digital Services Act an ‘incredible opportunity for EU to set global standards’ says Greens MEP
Speaking at a virtual news conference on Tuesday, Alexandra Geese said the planned legislation is a chance to “rediscover the real potential of the Internet.”
Brexit: The art of compromise
13 Oct
Brexit: The art of compromise
The blow that a hard Brexit would deliver to the languishing UK and EU economies is highly undesirable and can be avoided as all negotiating endgames turn on concessions, writes former European Parliament President Pat Cox.
Beating Cancer: European Parliament's Special Committee 'needed now more than ever'
13 Oct
Beating Cancer: European Parliament's Special Committee 'needed now more than ever'
Cancer remains a huge threat to health of EU's citizens, writes Cindy Franssen.
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge Partner Content
13 Oct
Africa must rise to the agricultural transformation challenge
Transformation is “slow magic” which requires sustained nurturing, writes Isabelle Tsakok.
Health after COVID-19: spend more but spend smarter Partner Content
13 Oct
Health after COVID-19: spend more but spend smarter
As we enter the final stretch of 2020, we face a huge dilemma for public health and public finances: how do we manage the massive impact of COVID-19 and the increasing burden of chronic diseases without bankrupting public finances?
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
13 Oct
EPP Group warns that Parliament will veto any Brexit deal that breaches Withdrawal Agreement
The message comes with EU leaders due to debate Brexit at a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
European Carers Day: urgent need to shed light on carers and issues they face
13 Oct
European Carers Day: urgent need to shed light on carers and issues they face
European Parliament's Informal Carers Interest Group Co-chairs call on MEP colleagues to join up and help provide carers with ‘a strong Parliamentary voice’.
Martin Schirdewan interview: A fighting chance
13 Oct
Martin Schirdewan interview: A fighting chance
It’s been a devastating year for many Europeans. Martin Schirdewan tells Lorna Hutchinson why he believes EU leaders must step up and utilise the full firepower of the Union’s arsenal to combat the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
MEPs condemn LGBT conversion therapy in appeal to European Commission
12 Oct
MEPs condemn LGBT conversion therapy in appeal to European Commission
In a letter to commissioners Věra Jourová, Helena Dalli and Stella Kyriakides, the deputies describe the practice as “torture” and emphasise the need for an EU-wide ban.
Senior MEP urges against ‘competition’ between cancer and COVID-19 patients
12 Oct
Senior MEP urges against ‘competition’ between cancer and COVID-19 patients
German EPP member Peter Liese, a medical doctor, was speaking at the first meeting on Monday of Parliament’s new cancer committee.
NGO coalition calls for creation of Enforcement Czar to stem EU’s ‘revolving door’ job moves
12 Oct
NGO coalition calls for creation of Enforcement Czar to stem EU’s ‘revolving door’ job moves
Financial reform group looking to end damage to EU’s reputation.
Taking Brexit down to the wire
12 Oct
Taking Brexit down to the wire
The chances of this week’s EU Council meeting having anything much to discuss and decide in terms of a Brexit deal are small to non-existent. But Boris Johnson is an artist of the political pirouette, explains Denis MacShane.
Issue 522 | 12 October 2020
12 Oct
Issue 522 | 12 October 2020
Our cover star this issue is GUE/NGL co-chair Martin Schirdewan. He tells why he believes EU leaders must step up and utilise the full firepower of the Union’s arsenal to combat the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
5 Questions with... Dita Charanzová
09 Oct
5 Questions with... Dita Charanzová
Dita Charanzová (CZ, RE) is a Vice President of the European Parliament.
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
09 Oct
MEPs call for creation of EU financial crimes authority in wake of FinCEN Files scandal
European Commission pledges to step up fight against money laundering.
European Parliament President throws weight behind fresh calls to ban unpaid internships
09 Oct
European Parliament President throws weight behind fresh calls to ban unpaid internships
EU must end ‘exploitation’ of young people, demands David Sassoli.
With the COVID-19 pandemic, littering from single-use plastics has seen a dramatic resurgence
09 Oct
With the COVID-19 pandemic, littering from single-use plastics has seen a dramatic resurgence
We must not wait any longer to see the Single Use Plastics Directive's full implementation, argues Piernicola Pedicini.
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
09 Oct
UK could gain Brexit trade deal ‘advantage’ by compromising on state aid, says leading think tank
Message comes as EU-UK talks extend into next week in last-ditch bid to find an agreement.