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
Op-ed: Europe can defend its liberal democracy if it reclaims common ground
09 May Foreign & Security Policy
Op-ed: Europe can defend its liberal democracy if it reclaims common ground
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
The EU must deploy all available solutions in its attempt to decarbonise Partner Content
06 Jul
The EU must deploy all available solutions in its attempt to decarbonise
With the EU deeply divided over its new ‘green fuel law’, biofuels produced from sustainable palm oil can offer a solution, explains Robert Hii.
Health & Wellbeing: A European mental health strategy
05 Jul
Health & Wellbeing: A European mental health strategy
The Coronavirus crisis has highlighted that many of our existing support structures are no longer fit for purpose; we should plan to address this now, writes Cyrus Engerer.
Health & Wellbeing: Meeting demand for mental health support
05 Jul
Health & Wellbeing: Meeting demand for mental health support
We must recognise and plan for the growing demand for access to mental health services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Alviina Alametsa.
Issue 539 | 05 July 2021
05 Jul
Issue 539 | 05 July 2021
Issue 539 of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
Thousands of Britons living in Europe facing urgent race to keep their rights
02 Jul
Thousands of Britons living in Europe facing urgent race to keep their rights
It is estimated there are tens of thousands of British nationals in some EU Member States who have yet to apply for post-Brexit residence.
Portugal bids EU presidency ‘adeus’ as Slovenia takes the helm
01 Jul
Portugal bids EU presidency ‘adeus’ as Slovenia takes the helm
As Portugal hands over the reins of the EU’s rotating presidency, Martin Banks assesses the highs and lows of its term in office - and looks ahead to Slovenia’s tenure.
Policymakers decry Turkey’s formal withdrawal from violence against women treaty
01 Jul
Policymakers decry Turkey’s formal withdrawal from violence against women treaty
MEPs and rights groups have denounced Turkey’s decision to quit the groundbreaking Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, calling it “a dark day for women.”
“A historic day for animal welfare in Europe” as Commission announces cage phase-out
30 Jun
“A historic day for animal welfare in Europe” as Commission announces cage phase-out
The executive, responding to the ‘End the Cage Age’ European Citizens’ Initiative, said it would present legislative proposals to phase out and eventually prohibit cages for all farm animals listed in the ECI.
Time to end the cage age
30 Jun
Time to end the cage age
With the European Commission announcing that it will put forward proposals to ‘End the Cage Age’, we spoke to Tilly Metz about the future of animal farming in Europe.
Brexit: So close, yet so far…
30 Jun
Brexit: So close, yet so far…
Despite current difficulties, the UK and the EU will, in the long run, forge closer economic and security ties, predicts Charles Grant.
Conference on the Future of Europe: Advancing EU citizenship
30 Jun
Conference on the Future of Europe: Advancing EU citizenship
Concept of EU citizenship must be included in CoFoE debate, argues Suzana Carp.
European Parliament row over MEP's refusal to wear face mask escalates
29 Jun
European Parliament row over MEP's refusal to wear face mask escalates
Right-wing German deputy Christine Anderson says she’s being wrongly targeted in a ‘pointless abuse of power’.
Media Action Plan: The power of local
29 Jun
Media Action Plan: The power of local
A strong and independent local media is essential to the democratic process, but this is in danger of withering away. The EU must ensure it gets the support it needs, argues Jan Trei.
5 Questions with... Vlad Botoș
29 Jun
5 Questions with... Vlad Botoș
Vlad Botoș (RO, RE) is a member of the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee.
Hate Speech: On the cyberviolence frontline
28 Jun
Hate Speech: On the cyberviolence frontline
With over 80 percent of female politicians having suffered cyberviolence, intimidation and harassment, MEPs are calling on the Commission to introduce legislation to curb online hate. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
Hate Speech: A milestone for the LGBTI community
28 Jun
Hate Speech: A milestone for the LGBTI community
The extension of the list of EU crimes to cover hate speech and hate crimes, including when targeted at LGBTI people, will be one of the most important acts of this legislative term, argues Marc Angel.
European Parliament's centrist groups accused of a ‘smash and grab’ raid over committee chair election
28 Jun
European Parliament's centrist groups accused of a ‘smash and grab’ raid over committee chair election
Row centres on election of Lucia Nicholsonová as the new chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee.
Hate Speech: Don’t stand for hate
28 Jun
Hate Speech: Don’t stand for hate
The European Commission’s initiative to add hate crime and hate speech to the list of EU crimes should be applauded as an important step in protecting Europe’s citizens, argues Alice Kuhnke.
“The first real resistance to a regressive agenda”: Parliament adopts SRHR report
24 Jun
“The first real resistance to a regressive agenda”: Parliament adopts SRHR report
Predrag Fred Matić’s report on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights was adopted on Thursday, with 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions.
European Parliament gives green light to EU Climate Law
24 Jun
European Parliament gives green light to EU Climate Law
The law enshrines the bloc’s commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
Rural Areas: Smart Villages are the future
24 Jun
Rural Areas: Smart Villages are the future
Following the pandemic, we have the opportunity to make the most of rural life, if we choose to do so; let’s make this a privilege says Franc Bogovič.
Rural Areas: A faster Europe
24 Jun
Rural Areas: A faster Europe
The impact of the pandemic has focused on cities, but it has also highlighted the differences between rural areas; we need to bridge these gaps as part of our recovery, urges Niklas Nienass.
Urban Areas: The engines of recovery
24 Jun
Urban Areas: The engines of recovery
For all its tragedies and challenges, COVID-19 has highlighted the potential for a better future for our urban centres, writes Idoia Villanueva Ruiz.
Farming 2.0: How new technology is changing farming Partner Content
24 Jun
Farming 2.0: How new technology is changing farming
New technological advances in animal health are transforming livestock farming for the better, writes Roxane Feller.