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
ECR group wants SRHR debate to be scrapped; says issue 'overreaches' EU's competence
23 Jun
ECR group wants SRHR debate to be scrapped; says issue "overreaches" EU's competence
The European Parliament is due to debate and vote on a controversial report urging Member States to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Editorial: Hammer to fall
23 Jun
Editorial: Hammer to fall
Budapest’s decision to introduce new rules banning the teaching and distribution of educational materials featuring gay people to under-18s may prove to be the last straw for the Commission, says Brian Johnson.
“My body, my rights”: MEPs stand up for women’s sexual and reproductive rights
23 Jun
“My body, my rights”: MEPs stand up for women’s sexual and reproductive rights
Ahead of the vote on rapporteur Predrag Fred Matić’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) report on Thursday, MEPs demonstrated in front of the European Parliament.
Greens MEPs welcome pardon of Catalan separatist leaders
23 Jun
Greens MEPs welcome pardon of Catalan separatist leaders
The nine leaders were jailed for their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid.
Life-Cycle Assessment: Regulating in times of environmental challenges
23 Jun
Life-Cycle Assessment: Regulating in times of environmental challenges
Life-Cycle Assessment can help provide transparent and evidence-based decisions that are key to achieving Europe’s climate ambitions, argues Klemen Grošelj.
Medical Device Regulation: a lack of clarity and too much freedom of interpretation
23 Jun
Medical Device Regulation: a lack of clarity and too much freedom of interpretation
As breakthrough innovations for wellness-related applications become increasingly ubiquitous, the path for the future regulation of innovation in Europe must be planned carefully, says Susana Solís.
MEPs condemn UEFA’s refusal to light up Munich stadium in rainbow colours
23 Jun
MEPs condemn UEFA’s refusal to light up Munich stadium in rainbow colours
UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, has turned down a request to light up Munich’s Allianz Arena in the colours of the rainbow flag for Germany’s Euro 2020 match with Hungary on Wednesday.
EU Member States express ‘grave concern’ over Hungary’s LGBTIQ discrimination
23 Jun
EU Member States express ‘grave concern’ over Hungary’s LGBTIQ discrimination
In a statement, the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Latvia, Italy, Greece, Austria and Cyprus slammed the recent adoption by the Hungarian Parliament of amendments which discriminate against LGBTIQ persons.
Biden builds bridges after turbulent Trump era
22 Jun
Biden builds bridges after turbulent Trump era
New US President undertook an intensive programme of meetings on his keenly-awaited European trip but, asks Martin Banks, what did Joe Biden's visit actually achieve?
MEPs outline ‘wish list’ for newly launched Conference on the Future of Europe
22 Jun
MEPs outline ‘wish list’ for newly launched Conference on the Future of Europe
The Conference’s inaugural plenary session took place on Saturday in Strasbourg.
Gender Equality: Bridging the EU’s pay gap
21 Jun
Gender Equality: Bridging the EU’s pay gap
It will take more than binding pay transparency measures to close the gender pay gaps in Europe’s labour markets, say Gabriella Sebardt and Mira-Maria Kontkanen.
Circular Economy: No time nor money to waste
21 Jun
Circular Economy: No time nor money to waste
Europe is currently overshooting its resource consumption. This cannot continue, argues Sirpa Pietikäinen.
EU Member States condemned for not taking Conference on the Future of Europe seriously
21 Jun
EU Member States condemned for not taking Conference on the Future of Europe seriously
Greens MEP wants forum to recommend abolishing unanimity voting for EU Member States.
MEP Daniel Freund welcomes the European Commission’s pledge to ‘learn lessons’ from COVID crisis
21 Jun
MEP Daniel Freund welcomes the European Commission’s pledge to ‘learn lessons’ from COVID crisis
Commission says ‘ten lessons’ should be drawn from the pandemic.
International ALS Day: Knowing is strength
21 Jun
International ALS Day: Knowing is strength
It’s time for the EU to rethink its strategy on Lou Gehrig's disease and promote better Europe-wide harmonisation on genetic testing, argues Cyrus Engerer.
Issue 538 | 21 June 2021
18 Jun
Issue 538 | 21 June 2021
Issue 538 of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
Conference on the Future of Europe a time to ‘reconnect the European project’ says Sergei Stanishev
18 Jun
Conference on the Future of Europe a time to ‘reconnect the European project’ says Sergei Stanishev
Party of European Socialists leader says inaugural plenary session in Strasbourg on Saturday is ‘an important moment’ for Europe’s future.
We stand with refugees, ready to do more
18 Jun
We stand with refugees, ready to do more
Ahead of World Refugee Day 2021, Birgit Sippel argues that the EU needs to take a step back and get a new perspective on what she describes as ‘a never-ending’ issue.
New report warns of ‘worrying degree of democratic backsliding’ across Europe
18 Jun
New report warns of ‘worrying degree of democratic backsliding’ across Europe
Council of Europe chief Marija Pejčinović Burić, says European governments need to work together to reverse democratic deficit.
Greener together: Delivering Zero Pollution in practice Partner Content
17 Jun
Greener together: Delivering Zero Pollution in practice
ICT solutions, if fully integrated, can help us optimise environmental and agricultural management and deliver the European Green Deal. Marta Pacheco reports on Huawei’s EU Green Week kick-off meeting which looked at “greening” agriculture
European Commission approves Coronavirus recovery plans for several Member States
17 Jun
European Commission approves Coronavirus recovery plans for several Member States
The financing, it is hoped, will unlock millions under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) to help revive battered economies in Europe.
LGBTIQ community has become the new scapegoat in Hungary, says MEP
17 Jun
LGBTIQ community has become the new scapegoat in Hungary, says MEP
The comments by Greens/EFA deputy Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield come in the wake of what many see as Hungary’s latest breach of EU norms.
European Parliament calls for the end of all animal cages in Europe by 2027
17 Jun
European Parliament calls for the end of all animal cages in Europe by 2027
MEPs also want the European Commission to speed up its review of EU animal welfare legislation.
Gender Balance on Boards: High time for gender quality
16 Jun
Gender Balance on Boards: High time for gender quality
The ‘Women on Boards’ Directive has been delayed long enough, argues Evelyn Regner.