Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal
11 Sep EU Institutions

Von der Leyen's fragile alliance put to the test over US trade deal

The Commission chief’s State of the Union defence of the pact she negotiated with Donald Trump drew fire from across the political spectrum. But the real battle is over whether the pro-EU majority will keep her second term afloat.
by Federica Di Sario
Op-ed: Bayrou’s fall exposes France’s need for a new political culture
12 Sep Member States
Op-ed: Bayrou’s fall exposes France’s need for a new political culture
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
10 Sep EU Institutions
Op-ed: EU pledges ‘drone wall’ as Russian threats grow — now it must deliver
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
09 Sep Foreign & Security Policy
After Paris summit, Europe’s security pledges face tough questions
28 Oct 20
Coronavirus: what we can learn from the battle with HIV
While Europe returns to lockdown, we must not forget that EU action is still needed to improve the quality of life for those living with HIV, writes Frances Fitzgerald.
28 Oct 20
MEPs call on EU to take action against Polish abortion ban as protests spread across the country
Abortion ruling condemned as an attack on women's rights and sexual self-determination.
28 Oct 20
Poland abortion ban: Stripping women of their fundamental human rights
The imposition of a near-total ban on abortion by the Polish Constitutional Court must elicit a strong reaction by the European Commission as Poland drifts ever further away from upholding EU values, writes Sylwia Spurek.
28 Oct 20
European Commission unveils new measures to help limit COVID-19 spread
Announcement comes as EU executive reveals that nearly 450 staff and officials have tested positive for Coronavirus.
28 Oct 20
EU Farm to Fork strategy is a major opportunity to realign our relationship with the environment
However, it needs to be done properly, and must not shy away from addressing agriculture's biggest issues, says Francisco Guerreiro.
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28 Oct 20
In space, either we all win, or we all lose
The European Union and wider international community must act urgently to avoid the further militarisation of outer space, writes Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan.
27 Oct 20
European Commission backs France in its ‘war of words’ with Turkey
Move comes amid increasing tension between Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
27 Oct 20
EU struggles to hold Member States to account over animal transport breaches
MEPs voice concern about the injury and suffering caused to animals during transport across Europe.
27 Oct 20
The EU must not let Bangladesh’s workers down
The EU has shaped the future of Bangladesh by opening its markets, but now it must make sure that companies operating in these markets play by the rules, argues Tomáš Zdechovský.
26 Oct 20
EU investigating whether Hungarian state aid spending is undermining media freedom
Press freedom watchdog warns that Hungarian Foreign Affairs Ministry has written to embassies instructing them to monitor Hungarian journalists.
26 Oct 20
Is it time for the EU to take on more health responsibilities?
European citizens clearly want the EU do more in the health domain, argues Vytenis Andriukaitis.
25 Oct 20
Why the EU Biodiversity Strategy matters
With the whole planet at threat from biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate change, an aligned and coordinated response by Europe is essential, says César Luena.
25 Oct 20
Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in EU humanitarian aid
Sexual violence is often used as a weapon of war in conflict regions and causes untold damage and suffering to its victims. Lorna Hutchinson reports on a recent webinar examining this issue.
24 Oct 20
MEPs express outrage over Poland’s near-total ban on abortion
The draconian move by Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal has sparked protests in cities across the country.
24 Oct 20
What does the future hold for Europe's postal sector?
A divided market, changing consumer needs, new digital possibilities and a new focus on sustainability. Markus Ferber asks whether it is time to re-evaluate the postal sector status quo.
23 Oct 20
Issue 523 | 26 October 2020
Our cover star this issue is Swedish S&D deputy Jytte Guteland. As rapporteur of the European Climate Law, Guteland is keenly aware of the climate struggles facing our planet. She tells Lorna Hutchinson of her determination to build a more sustainable future.
23 Oct 20
Biotechnology can be a useful instrument for Europe’s recovery
We must fight new problems in new ways and apply new technologies carefully, bearing in mind ethical issues while researching all potential side e­ffects, writes Juozas Olekas.
23 Oct 20
How Europe can avoid a mental health pandemic
In the storm surrounding the recent pandemic, we must recognise - and act to prevent - any exacerbation to mental health challenges, write Alex Agius Saliba, Estrella Durá Ferrandis, Radka Maxová, Maria Walsh and Tomáš Zdechovský.
22 Oct 20
Belarus: time to rethink EU foreign policy making
Events surrounding the protests in Belarus have shown that if the EU is to be a credible player in global politics, it needs to begin with reforms at home, argues Urmas Paet.
21 Oct 20
Brexit deadlock ends as EU and UK return to negotiating table
After an impassioned speech by Michel Barnier in plenary on Wednesday morning, relations appear to have thawed between the two sides and “intensive” negotiations will now resume.
21 Oct 20
EU needs to listen to girls, young women and the civil society organisations that represent them
We must act now and prioritise women’s and girls’ human rights and put gender equality at the top of the agenda, writes Heléne Fritzon.
21 Oct 20
Women must be at the heart of EU-Africa strategy
New focus must promote gender equality and build bridges between African and European women, argues Chrysoula Zacharopoulou.
21 Oct 20
Time for the EU to close its domestic ivory market?
If the EU is serious about fighting elephant poaching, it must completely close its domestic ivory market and ban all ivory imports and re-exports, argue Frédérique Ries and Arnaud Goessens.
21 Oct 20
Michel Barnier says Brexit agreement is “within reach”
Speaking in Plenary on Wednesday, the EU’s chief negotiator said that “an outline is emerging” and that progress could be made in the next few days on the basis of legal texts.