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
EU's new Migration Pact draws mixed reactions from MEPs and NGOs
24 Sep
EU's new Migration Pact draws mixed reactions from MEPs and NGOs
The Pact, unveiled on Wednesday, is the Commission’s flagship initiative to create a comprehensive plan for managing migration.
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
23 Sep
New Special Committee on Foreign Interference elects Raphaël Glucksmann as chair
The Committee is, among others, tasked with “thoroughly analysing” claims that rules in recent elections, including last year’s European poll, were breached or circumvented.
Even if Coronavirus vaccine found it will not be ‘magic bullet’, warns health expert
23 Sep
Even if Coronavirus vaccine found it will not be ‘magic bullet’, warns health expert
Fergus Sweeney, Head of Clinical Studies and Manufacturing Task Force at the European Medicines Agency, was speaking in the European Parliament on Tuesday.
The lead shot over wetlands proposal is unworkable Partner Content
22 Sep
The lead shot over wetlands proposal is unworkable
The European Commission’s plans are a flagrant breach of fundamental rights and basic freedoms. MEPs therefore have a simple decision: Reject the proposal and send it back to the REACH Committee, argues the European Shooting Sports Forum's Marta Gómez
UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October
22 Sep
UK makes robust defence of its Brexit talks stance, still hopes to reach deal in October
The comments to this website come despite growing pessimism about the prospect of an agreement being thrashed out in time for the October deadline set by the EU.
FinCEN leaks a ‘wake-up call’ as new tax fraud committee gears up to start work
22 Sep
FinCEN leaks a ‘wake-up call’ as new tax fraud committee gears up to start work
The revelations of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists focus on the alleged failure of major international banks and supervisors to combat money laundering.
A vaping flavour ban sets back public health Partner Content
22 Sep
A vaping flavour ban sets back public health
Vaping is under attack, and that is bad news for public health and smoking cessation, argue David Clement, Michael Landl and Yael Ossowski.
Why the EU shouldn't let tourism down
22 Sep
Why the EU shouldn't let tourism down
Better coordination, communication and cooperation are needed to save Europe’s tourism industry, argues István Ujhelyi.
Morocco: a green energy bridge between Europe and Africa Partner Content
21 Sep
Morocco: a green energy bridge between Europe and Africa
The EU stands to gain from Morocco’s energy strategy review, explains Ghalia Mokhtari.
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
21 Sep
Belarus opposition leader urges MEPs to ‘show solidarity’ with protestors
Speaking in the European Parliament on Monday, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said, “We need your support.”
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
21 Sep
Senior MEPs warn of No Deal Brexit reality but continue to hope for breakthrough
German EPP member David McAllister, who chairs Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said that “nobody should underestimate the practical, economic and social consequences of a No Deal scenario.”
EU Mobility Week: A change of paradigm
21 Sep
EU Mobility Week: A change of paradigm
Sustainable and smart urban mobility can have a major impact on lowering transport emissions, explains Karima Delli.
EU unveils long-awaited action plan to tackle racism
18 Sep
EU unveils long-awaited action plan to tackle racism
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli says EU needs to ‘turn the tide’ on racism and racial discrimination.
This year, European Mobility Week takes on special significance, says EC Director General for Mobility & Transport
18 Sep
This year, European Mobility Week takes on special significance, says EC Director General for Mobility & Transport
While taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19, the EU will set out a path to smart and sustainable mobility, writes Henrik Hololei.
COVID-19's devastating impact on Europe’s tourism sector
18 Sep
COVID-19's devastating impact on Europe’s tourism sector
It’s time the European Commission took action and began developing a common European Tourism strategy, says José Ramón Bauzá Díaz.
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
18 Sep
Brexit war of words heats up as European Commission President responds to UK threat to break Withdrawal Agreement with Margaret Thatcher quote
Ursula von der Leyen says UK should remember that Margaret Thatcher once said the UK does not break treaties as it would be bad for Britain and bad for trade.
La rentrée: Martin Schirdewan fears Crisis mode is set to continue
18 Sep
La rentrée: Martin Schirdewan fears Crisis mode is set to continue
The Coronavirus crisis has masked many social issues, but these problems will not go away without action, says co-chair of Parliament’s GUE/NGL Group, Martin Schirdewan.
La rentrée: Marco Zanni says it's time for change
18 Sep
La rentrée: Marco Zanni says it's time for change
The Coronavirus crisis has brought the need for major EU reform into sharp relief, argues the European Parliament's ID Group leader Marco Zanni.
EU to appoint first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator
18 Sep
EU to appoint first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator
European Commission president announces new measures including an Anti-Racism Action Plan.
Von der Leyen ups ante on EU emission cuts
18 Sep
Von der Leyen ups ante on EU emission cuts
European Commission president plans to increase the EU’s 2030 emissions reduction target to at least 55 percent has been met with a mixed response from environmentalists and industry.
Keep Moving, Keep Positive Partner Content
18 Sep
Keep Moving, Keep Positive
Former Olympian and Vice President of Worldwide Sports Performance and Fitness at Herbalife Nutrition, Samantha Clayton, suggests five tips to help us take care of our mental and physical health needs during these difficult times.
Access to more and better data key to delivering high standards of animal welfare and sustainable food production Partner Content
18 Sep
Access to more and better data key to delivering high standards of animal welfare and sustainable food production
A comprehensive, ‘One Health’ approach to animal husbandry recognises that animal, human and environmental health are interdependent, report Brian Johnson and Ana Gallego.
La rentrée: Dacian Cioloș on building a Europe fit for the future
18 Sep
La rentrée: Dacian Cioloș on building a Europe fit for the future
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted both European solidarity and the need for ‘more Europe’ says the leader of the Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament.
MEPs stand in rainbow-hued solidarity with Polish LGBTI community
16 Sep
MEPs stand in rainbow-hued solidarity with Polish LGBTI community
The solidarity action in front of the European Parliament on Tuesday comes against a backdrop of mounting pressure on the EU to trigger an unprecedented mechanism against Poland that would effectively suspend its EU membership.