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
Illicit trade is not just a tax problem, consumers suffer Partner Content
09 Oct
Illicit trade is not just a tax problem, consumers suffer
Fake protective equipment and counterfeit medicines are putting patients’ lives at risk, warns Luca Bertoletti.
A coordinated EU policy on aging
09 Oct
A coordinated EU policy on aging
COVID-19 has had serious adverse consequences on older people, particularly those living with underlying conditions, explains Maciej Kucharczyk.
Tapping the potential of Europe's ageing population
09 Oct
Tapping the potential of Europe's ageing population
By 2070, more than 30 percent of the population is projected to be aged 65 or older; this brings opportunities as well as challenges, writes Dubravka Šuica.
Peter Liese interview: EU Council Presidency in a pandemic
09 Oct
Peter Liese interview: EU Council Presidency in a pandemic
Germany took over the rotating EU Presidency against the backdrop of a global pandemic and the ensuing turmoil and uncertainty. Lorna Hutchinson spoke to German EPP deputy Peter Liese about the crisis-wrought presidency and hope for the future.
European Week of Sport: A healthy body is a healthy mind
09 Oct
European Week of Sport: A healthy body is a healthy mind
With many of us stuck at home during the Coronavirus crisis, sport can play a crucial role in keeping us fit and active both physically and mentally, writes Tomasz Frankowski.
Why the EU should treat sport as more than just a leisure activity
09 Oct
Why the EU should treat sport as more than just a leisure activity
The physical and mental benefits of doing sport during these trying times are indispensable, so let’s give back and provide more support for a sector that has taken a huge hit, writes Marc Tarabella.
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
08 Oct
Flare-up in Nagorno-Karabakh dispute threatens regional stability, says Foreign Affairs Committee Chair
David McAllister’s comments come as clashes continue over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, an enclave officially part of Azerbaijan but run by ethnic Armenians.
ECJ rules that Hungary breached EU law with reform of higher education rules
08 Oct
ECJ rules that Hungary breached EU law with reform of higher education rules
The EU’s top court said that the conditions introduced by Hungary, which forced a university founded by George Soros to move most of its activities out of the country, are incompatible with EU law.
Mainstream groups in Parliament highlight lack of gender balance in ECB top job
07 Oct
Mainstream groups in Parliament highlight lack of gender balance in ECB top job
The Socialists, Renew Europe and the Greens have denounced the male-only list of candidates for a senior European Central Bank post.
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
07 Oct
Josep Borrell criticised by MEPs over ‘clandestine’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, several members accused the EU foreign affairs chief of being responsible for “a chain of half-truths and lies.”
European Parliament votes in favour of CO2 reduction target of 60 percent by 2030
07 Oct
European Parliament votes in favour of CO2 reduction target of 60 percent by 2030
The vote on Wednesday morning was tight, with 352 votes in favour, 326 against and 18 abstentions.
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
06 Oct
Senior EU political figures warn UK that ‘time is short’ for Brexit deal
David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the talks have entered a “very crucial phase.”
Low birth rates and higher life expectancies are transforming the composition of Europe's age pyramid
06 Oct
Low birth rates and higher life expectancies are transforming the composition of Europe's age pyramid
Europe’s demographic situation requires drastic measures and more targeted policies at EU level, argues Elena Kountoura.
MEPs take aim at Council’s position on rule of law conditionality mechanism
06 Oct
MEPs take aim at Council’s position on rule of law conditionality mechanism
In a plenary debate on Monday evening, deputies stressed that recent EU proposals did not go far enough in linking EU funds to the respect of rule of law, calling them “ill equipped and ineffective.”
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
06 Oct
What Europe’s foreign policy priorities should be in 2021
The EU has a responsibility to act as a global player and adjust its foreign policy in line with the fight against COVID-19, writes Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chair David McAllister.
Women on Boards Directive must be unblocked in Council, MEPs argue
06 Oct
Women on Boards Directive must be unblocked in Council, MEPs argue
The Directive, which has been stuck in the legislative pipeline since 2013, aims to reach a minimum of 40 percent of women on non-executive boards of EU companies.
EU and UK light fire under Brexit negotiators in last-ditch attempt to reach deal
05 Oct
EU and UK light fire under Brexit negotiators in last-ditch attempt to reach deal
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held phone talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday in a bid to revive the stalled Brexit talks.
A New Circular Economy Action Plan for all
05 Oct
A New Circular Economy Action Plan for all
Trade policy is the best way for the EU to promote the values of the European Green Deal and the circular economy, argues Svenja Hahn.
Animal Transportation: Honouring our ethical code
05 Oct
Animal Transportation: Honouring our ethical code
With Parliament’s establishment of an inquiry committee to look into the protection of animals during transport, the EU now has the tools to investigate their suffering, writes Mohammed Chahim.
Are EU rules on live animal transportation not working?
05 Oct
Are EU rules on live animal transportation not working?
It’s time for a fresh look and a new approach, says Sirpa Pietikäinen.
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
05 Oct
Eastern Partnership: Time for action
A successful Eastern Partnership policy is the ultimate test for the EU’s global leadership ambitions, explains Petras Auštrevicius.
European Parliament’s new subcommittee sets sight on EU’s tax havens
02 Oct
European Parliament’s new subcommittee sets sight on EU’s tax havens
Tax dodging costing EU Member States €1trillion a year in lost revenue, say MEPs.
MEPs address ‘shortcomings’ in EU’s upcoming Digital Services package
02 Oct
MEPs address ‘shortcomings’ in EU’s upcoming Digital Services package
Putting users in control of what content they are shown best way to tackle harmful content, hate speech and disinformation, says (IMCO) Committee rapporteur Tiemo Wolken.
Doubts cast on value of EU’s proposed ‘European election reforms
02 Oct
Doubts cast on value of EU’s proposed ‘European election reforms
Legal experts clash over argument that transnational lists may deepen ‘democratic deficit’ between MEPs and voters.