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
#EPGenderEqualityWeek: Women still ‘incredibly underrepresented’ in senior posts, says new study
29 Oct
#EPGenderEqualityWeek: Women still ‘incredibly underrepresented’ in senior posts, says new study
Report’s author, German MEP Hannah Neumann, says process of achieving gender balance needs speeded up.
Coronavirus: what we can learn from the battle with HIV
28 Oct
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.
MEPs call on EU to take action against Polish abortion ban as protests spread across the country
28 Oct
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.
Poland abortion ban: Stripping women of their fundamental human rights
28 Oct
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.
European Commission unveils new measures to help limit COVID-19 spread
28 Oct
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.
EU Farm to Fork strategy is a major opportunity to realign our relationship with the environment
28 Oct
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.
In space, either we all win, or we all lose Partner Content
28 Oct
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.
European Commission backs France in its ‘war of words’ with Turkey
27 Oct
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.
EU struggles to hold Member States to account over animal transport breaches
27 Oct
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.
The EU must not let Bangladesh’s workers down
27 Oct
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.
EU investigating whether Hungarian state aid spending is undermining media freedom
26 Oct
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.
Is it time for the EU to take on more health responsibilities?
26 Oct
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.
Why the EU Biodiversity Strategy matters
25 Oct
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.
Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in EU humanitarian aid
25 Oct
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.
MEPs express outrage over Poland’s near-total ban on abortion
24 Oct
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.
What does the future hold for Europe's postal sector?
24 Oct
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.
Issue 523 | 26 October 2020
23 Oct
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.
Biotechnology can be a useful instrument for Europe’s recovery
23 Oct
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.
How Europe can avoid a mental health pandemic
23 Oct
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.
Belarus: time to rethink EU foreign policy making
22 Oct
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.
Brexit deadlock ends as EU and UK return to negotiating table
21 Oct
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.
EU needs to listen to girls, young women and the civil society organisations that represent them
21 Oct
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.
Women must be at the heart of EU-Africa strategy
21 Oct
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.
Time for the EU to close its domestic ivory market?
21 Oct
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.