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
Mairead McGuinness to improve transparency if endorsed by MEPs as EU commissioner
01 Oct
Mairead McGuinness to improve transparency if endorsed by MEPs as EU commissioner
McGuinness, a long-standing MEP, will be heard by Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Friday.
Rule of law report: Corruption, attacks on media and judiciary amount to ‘undrinkable cocktail’
01 Oct
Rule of law report: Corruption, attacks on media and judiciary amount to ‘undrinkable cocktail’
The report, the first of its kind by the Commission, aims to protect the rights of citizens and comes amid rising concern about rule of law breaches in some Member States, notably Hungary and Poland.
How the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy can help children and adolescents with cancer Partner Content
01 Oct
How the EU Pharmaceutical Strategy can help children and adolescents with cancer
By facilitating and incentivising the regulatory environment with dedicated R&D funding, policymakers can make a big impact on paediatric oncology across Europe, argue SIOP Europe’s Pamela Kearns and Gilles Vassal.
Brexit: Senior MEPs throw weight behind Commission’s infringement proceedings against UK
01 Oct
Brexit: Senior MEPs throw weight behind Commission’s infringement proceedings against UK
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threw down the gauntlet on Thursday morning after weeks of jaw-dropping moves by the UK, and MEPs had her back.
Commission launches infringement proceedings against UK over controversial Internal Market Bill
01 Oct
Commission launches infringement proceedings against UK over controversial Internal Market Bill
The Bill has sparked outrage as it overrides the Withdrawal Agreement, the deal painstakingly thrashed out by the two sides over the last two years.
Gastein 2020: EU Member States must work more closely in the fight against COVID-19, says ECDC chief
01 Oct
Gastein 2020: EU Member States must work more closely in the fight against COVID-19, says ECDC chief
The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems, but by gleaning valuable lessons from this experience we can become more resilient, explains Andrea Ammon.
Petra De Sutter to become Belgian Deputy PM; leaves European Parliament's IMCO Committee chair vacant
01 Oct
Petra De Sutter to become Belgian Deputy PM; leaves European Parliament's IMCO Committee chair vacant
The Greens/EFA MEP has been nominated Deputy Prime Minister for Public Enterprises and Civil Service in Belgium’s new Vivaldi coalition government.
Sylwia Spurek takes aim at Poland and EU over handling of refugee crisis
30 Sep
Sylwia Spurek takes aim at Poland and EU over handling of refugee crisis
Spurek was speaking on Wednesday at a news conference in Parliament after it was announced she was joining the Greens/EFA group.
Deal reached on new Belgian government
30 Sep
Deal reached on new Belgian government
The agreement will see a seven-party coalition government take office, led by Flemish Liberal Alexander de Croo.
‘Clock is ticking’ on chances of UK and EU reaching trade deal, says chair of UK Coordination Group
30 Sep
‘Clock is ticking’ on chances of UK and EU reaching trade deal, says chair of UK Coordination Group
David McAllister was speaking as talks between the two sides resumed in Brussels on Tuesday.
European Commission says it has ‘full trust’ in Věra Jourová after Orbán demands resignation
30 Sep
European Commission says it has ‘full trust’ in Věra Jourová after Orbán demands resignation
Viktor Orbán was angered by comments made in an interview by the Commission’s Vice President for Values and Transparency, in which she described Hungary as a “sick democracy.”
5 Questions with... Sara Cerdas
30 Sep
5 Questions with... Sara Cerdas
Sara Cerdas (PT, S&D) is a member of Parliament’s ENVI Committee.
Polish MEP Sylwia Spurek jumps ship from Socialists to Greens group
30 Sep
Polish MEP Sylwia Spurek jumps ship from Socialists to Greens group
Spurek said the Greens/EFA Group shares her values on human rights, the climate and animal rights. The Greens, for their part, welcomed Spurek with open arms.
Maximising the benefits and minimising the risks of Artificial Intelligence
30 Sep
Maximising the benefits and minimising the risks of Artificial Intelligence
The EU must ensure it is not left behind in the rapidly growing AI sector, while making sure that it pays due respect to the ethics and potential risks, writes Dan Nica.
Addressing the ethical and social implications of Artificial Intelligence
30 Sep
Addressing the ethical and social implications of Artificial Intelligence
Maria da Graça Carvalho explains how Parliament’s new Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence will assist in the creation of a harmonised legal and ethical framework for AI.
Former Finnish MEP Alex Stubb touted as possible chairman of Conference on Future of Europe
29 Sep
Former Finnish MEP Alex Stubb touted as possible chairman of Conference on Future of Europe
The Conference, which aims to breathe new life into the EU project, should have started by now but has been badly delayed by the health pandemic.
EU Commission Vice President at centre of Hungary rule of law spat
29 Sep
EU Commission Vice President at centre of Hungary rule of law spat
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has demanded the resignation of Věra Jourová and has suspended all bilateral political contacts with her after she described the country as a “sick democracy” in a magazine interview.
Why Europe needs a Health Union
29 Sep
Why Europe needs a Health Union
If Europe’s health and care systems are to survive and emerge from the current crisis fit for the future, greater collaboration is essential, writes Clemens Martin Auer.
UK Coordination Group deputy issues blunt warning as next round of Brexit talks kicks off
28 Sep
UK Coordination Group deputy issues blunt warning as next round of Brexit talks kicks off
Christophe Hansen, who is also Parliament's trade committee negotiator, declared, “it is time for the UK to restore confidence to advance in the negotiations.”
Issue 521 | 28 September 2020
28 Sep
Issue 521 | 28 September 2020
Our cover star this issue is Irish EPP MEP Maria Walsh. Like many of her fellow class of 2019 deputies, Walsh’s route to becoming an MEP was an unconventional one. She tells Brian Johnson why she believes it’s important to bring a wide variety of voices to the EU policy table.
New European Parliament Animal Transport Committee to investigate whether EU has failed to properly implement welfare rules
25 Sep
New European Parliament Animal Transport Committee to investigate whether EU has failed to properly implement welfare rules
Inquiry Committee chair Tilly Metz says goal is to deliver better implementation and stricter controls between Member States.
Transnational lists and lead candidates only way to bring ‘European dimension’ to MEP elections says Danny Cohn-Bendit
25 Sep
Transnational lists and lead candidates only way to bring ‘European dimension’ to MEP elections says Danny Cohn-Bendit
Former MEP tells CONT Committee there’s urgent need to bring back democratic dimension to European elections.
A European Union of unequal reproductive rights
25 Sep
A European Union of unequal reproductive rights
To enjoy sexual and reproductive rights, individuals should have unrestricted access to health services, which cater to these reproductive health needs, including access to contraception. This is not the case in every European Member State, explains Sylwia Spurek.
SOTEU 2020 was business as unusual, says FEPs Secretary General László Andor
24 Sep
SOTEU 2020 was business as unusual, says FEPs Secretary General László Andor
Ursula von der Leyen’s maiden State of the European Union address ticked many boxes on solidarity, innovation and climate, but fell short on key issues including rule of law and global affairs, explains László Andor.