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
Why the European Parliament should be given the right of initiative
08 Jun
Why the European Parliament should be given the right of initiative
The EU would not be acting out of character by granting the European Parliament this right, suggests Charles Goerens.
Did the European Commission hold back in its Farm to Fork strategy?
08 Jun
Did the European Commission hold back in its Farm to Fork strategy?
For the sake of future generations, the EU must have a proper debate on meat production and consumption and animal derived products, writes Sylwia Spurek.
An EU education system that works for everyone
08 Jun
An EU education system that works for everyone
The EU must build on lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis and shape future education policy towards better digital inclusion, writes Romeo Franz.
Why investing in digital literacy now will secure the future of the EU
08 Jun
Why investing in digital literacy now will secure the future of the EU
We need to improve digital skills for people who could responsibly promote, design and implement digitisation in education, argues Sabine Verheyen.
Michel Barnier warns UK that Brexit talks approaching ‘moment of truth’
05 Jun
Michel Barnier warns UK that Brexit talks approaching ‘moment of truth’
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has accused the UK of “backtracking on its commitments”, saying the two sides remain “very far” apart.
UK needs transition extension to avoid disastrous outcome
05 Jun
UK needs transition extension to avoid disastrous outcome
German Greens MEP Terry Reintke has appealed to the UK to ask for an extension to the Brexit transition period beyond 31 December amid “special circumstances”.
Lack of meetings during lockdown leaves EU interpreters facing financial hardship
05 Jun
Lack of meetings during lockdown leaves EU interpreters facing financial hardship
A furious row has flared over claims that hundreds of freelance interpreters are facing financial hardship by the EU institutions because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Time to give Parliament the right of initiative
04 Jun
Time to give Parliament the right of initiative
Giving the European Parliament this power would rebalance the legislative triangle between the three EU institutions, argues Gabriele Bischoff.
EU must take advantage of the Coronavirus crisis to reform what is needed
04 Jun
EU must take advantage of the Coronavirus crisis to reform what is needed
Former European Parliament President Antonio Tajani explains why Europe, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, must reform and revive the European project.
World ‘can learn to live with’ Coronavirus if vaccine not found, says WHO official
03 Jun
World ‘can learn to live with’ Coronavirus if vaccine not found, says WHO official
Speaking to a parliamentary committee, senior World Health Organization official Mike Ryan said that even if a vaccine is found, it may take a long time to roll out.
What about the rights of UK citizens in the EU?
03 Jun
What about the rights of UK citizens in the EU?
A recurring theme of EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has been the UK’s failure to properly secure EU citizens’ rights in the UK. But what is being done to protect UK citizens’ rights in the EU, asks Jayne Adye.
Calls for Conference on Future of Europe to be launched ‘as soon as possible’
03 Jun
Calls for Conference on Future of Europe to be launched ‘as soon as possible’
MEPs say the delayed conference must start by September at the latest in order to bring about “effective reform” of the EU.
‘Significant number’ of victims of new forms of sexual harassment online, says survey
02 Jun
‘Significant number’ of victims of new forms of sexual harassment online, says survey
The aim of the survey was to obtain data and evidence about “new forms” of sexual harassment and to assess the safety of “online workspace” for women.
Issue 516 | 01 June 2020
02 Jun
Issue 516 | 01 June 2020
Our cover star this issue is German EPP deputy David McAllister. The Foreign Affairs Committee Chair tells us why, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating current international challenges and highlighting a lack of global leadership, he hopes a more visionary and coherent EU foreign policy will emerge.
Senior MEP issues warning to UK as crucial round of Brexit talks kick off
02 Jun
Senior MEP issues warning to UK as crucial round of Brexit talks kick off
David McAllister, who chairs the European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, cautioned that if the UK “reneges on what it signed up to” it will have to face “concrete consequences.”
Farm to Fork risks hurting the global south Partner Content
02 Jun
Farm to Fork risks hurting the global south
The strategy ignores the suffering of smallholder farmers and could create economic catastrophe for the Global South, writes Dayo Israel.
European Parliament provides 200,000 meals to the needy during Coronavirus crisis
02 Jun
European Parliament provides 200,000 meals to the needy during Coronavirus crisis
About 98,000 meals have been distributed from Parliament’s Brussels seat with an estimated 50,000 more dinners supplied from each of its other bases in Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
Michel Barnier says EU is open to Brexit delay of up to two years
29 May
Michel Barnier says EU is open to Brexit delay of up to two years
His message comes just ahead of key Brexit talks that resume on Monday between the two sides.
Almost two thirds of EU citizens have experienced financial difficulties during COVID-19 crisis, says poll
29 May
Almost two thirds of EU citizens have experienced financial difficulties during COVID-19 crisis, says poll
The poll, commissioned by the European Parliament, found that some 58 percent of people have experienced financial difficulties in their own personal life since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Commission President says Coronavirus recovery plan meets many of Frugal Four’s demands
28 May
Commission President says Coronavirus recovery plan meets many of Frugal Four’s demands
The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden have rejected the notion of grants and, instead, have recommended the creation of an “emergency fund” financed by loans only.
Michel Barnier expected to warn next round of Brexit talks will be pivotal for trade deal
28 May
Michel Barnier expected to warn next round of Brexit talks will be pivotal for trade deal
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator will meet with Parliament President David Sassoli and political group leaders on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in talks with the UK.
European Commission unveils €750bn Coronavirus recovery fund
28 May
European Commission unveils €750bn Coronavirus recovery fund
Dubbed “Next generation EU” the recovery fund is worth €750bn and is designed to help Europe’s economies and societies recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.
Racial and ethnic minorities suffering disproportionately during Coronavirus crisis, says ENAR
27 May
Racial and ethnic minorities suffering disproportionately during Coronavirus crisis, says ENAR
A new report by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) says the pandemic is “exacerbating and shining a light” on existing racism and inequalities in society.
Conference on Future of Europe condemned as federalist attempt to extend EU powers
27 May
Conference on Future of Europe condemned as federalist attempt to extend EU powers
The Conference was due to start on 9 May, a symbolically important date for the EU as it is the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.