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
5 Questions with... David Casa
19 May
5 Questions with... David Casa
David Casa (MT, EPP) member of the Parliament’s ECON committee, and delegation to Turkey and the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly.
European Ombudsman to launch new probe on EU ‘revolving door’ job moves
19 May
European Ombudsman to launch new probe on EU ‘revolving door’ job moves
Fresh inquiry 'important for maintaining trust' in EU institutions, says Emily O’Reilly.
MEPs welcome outcome of inter-institutional talks on Erasmus scheme
19 May
MEPs welcome outcome of inter-institutional talks on Erasmus scheme
Under the newly agreed proposals, flagship education, culture and volunteering programmes will have almost twice as much money compared to the previous budgetary period.
European Commission appoints first-ever anti-racism coordinator
18 May
European Commission appoints first-ever anti-racism coordinator
The executive says the newly created post is in line with its anti-racism action plan.
European Commission set to halve number of buildings it uses in Brussels
18 May
European Commission set to halve number of buildings it uses in Brussels
EU executive says it expects more of its staff to work from home in the future.
Cancer nurses and prevention are crucial in reducing Europe’s cancer burden
18 May
Cancer nurses and prevention are crucial in reducing Europe’s cancer burden
With 40 percent of all EU cancer cases preventable, we can improve the drive for prevention through cancer nurses - the most trusted group of healthcare professionals in the cancer care community, writes Sara Matthieu.
Gender-based cyberviolence: The new face of an old enemy
18 May
Gender-based cyberviolence: The new face of an old enemy
Gender-based violence online is not a new phenomenon, but a continuum of violence that women and girls face offline; the root causes of all forms of gender-based violence are the same, writes Sylwia Spurek.
Current and past MEPs reveal their hopes for Conference on the Future of Europe
17 May
Current and past MEPs reveal their hopes for Conference on the Future of Europe
Senior MEP David McAllister says he hopes the newly-launched Conference will offer “food for thought on the EU's role in international affairs”.
New European Parliament think tank report calls for more support for EU civil society groups
17 May
New European Parliament think tank report calls for more support for EU civil society groups
Report comes in the wake of the launch of the conference on the EU's future which aims to put civil society at the heart of decisions on which direction the EU should take.
Why waiving patents on vaccines is not a good idea
14 May
Why waiving patents on vaccines is not a good idea
Although noble in intent, the decision could ultimately undermine Europe’s leadership in pharmaceutical research, argues Gianna Gancia.
Equitable access to COVID vaccines worldwide Partner Content
14 May
Equitable access to COVID vaccines worldwide
The European Union can drive global efforts to end the pandemic, writes AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Zoya Shabarova.
A new horizon for social progress
13 May
A new horizon for social progress
The Portuguese Council presidency has made social progress one of its top priorities and the upcoming summit in Porto will reflect citizens’ desire for a more social Europe, explains Agnes Jongerius.
To combat climate change, EU must partner with ASEAN to tackle tropical deforestation Partner Content
13 May
To combat climate change, EU must partner with ASEAN to tackle tropical deforestation
Shifts in attitudes towards palm oil by European nations could herald a new Europe-ASEAN partnership to tackle deforestation, writes Glenn Schatz.
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
12 May
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
Danger that Europe’s democratic culture will not fully recover, warns CoE secretary general.
Scottish elections: the problems with Scexit
12 May
Scottish elections: the problems with Scexit
The result of the elections to the Scottish Parliament has effectively denied Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, a mandate for a second independence referendum, argues former MEP Struan Stevenson.
Keeping a light on for Scotland
12 May
Keeping a light on for Scotland
Scotland now has two Unions to choose from - isolation and economic crisis with the UK run by Boris Johnson, or independence in Europe with the solidarity of a global A-Team, argues former MEP Alyn Smith.
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
12 May
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
Plenary sessions in the French city were suspended due to the health pandemic, but it is believed the plan is for MEPs to return in June.
Green Trade War on Palm Oil – How EU’s palm oil ban is devastating livelihoods of farmers in the Global South Partner Content
12 May
Green Trade War on Palm Oil – How EU’s palm oil ban is devastating livelihoods of farmers in the Global South
The EU’s palm oil ban unintentionally sparked a green trade war against the world’s palm oil producers, reviving memories of colonialism, argues Muhammed Magassy.
Time to invent our future
12 May
Time to invent our future
Europe must retain control of the competitive, environmental and social rules that govern trade, or risk having rules imposed by others, warns Pascal Durand.
A ‘Green’ due diligence
12 May
A ‘Green’ due diligence
The upcoming revision of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive must be an important step towards establishing a truly sustainable economic and environmental governance, argues Marie Toussaint.
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
11 May
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
After a year-long delay caused by the health crisis, the much-vaunted Conference on the Future of Europe finally launched on Sunday. It will last 12 months and aims to pave the way for major reform of the bloc.
#IstanbulConventionSavesLives: Zero-tolerance treaty turns 10
11 May
#IstanbulConventionSavesLives: Zero-tolerance treaty turns 10
On the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking Istanbul Convention, MEPs are calling for intensified EU action tackling gender-based violence as cases skyrocket against the backdrop of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
11 May
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
The citizens’ panels will be an opportunity for the public to have their say on future EU reforms.
EU Biodiversity Strategy: A time of transformative change
11 May
EU Biodiversity Strategy: A time of transformative change
With the EU Biodiversity Strategy turning one year old in May, Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius reviews its accomplishments and sets out what the future holds.