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
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
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
05 May Foreign & Security Policy
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
5 Questions with... Ernest Urtasun
28 Apr
5 Questions with... Ernest Urtasun
Ernest Urtasun (ES, Greens/EFA) is a member of Parliament’s FEMM and ECON committees.
Coronavirus: Vulnerable groups at risk of shouldering burden of crisis, warns EU civil society network
28 Apr
Coronavirus: Vulnerable groups at risk of shouldering burden of crisis, warns EU civil society network
Concern that economic and social recovery will put profit before rights and wellbeing of EU citizens, says Piotr Sadowski.
Many EU citizens in UK being denied equal treatment, says citizens’ rights group
28 Apr
Many EU citizens in UK being denied equal treatment, says citizens’ rights group
According to the campaign group, the3million, this means people are not able to get the help that they need, including benefits.
The use of bacteriophages against Listeria as a ‘non-decontaminating’ processing aid
28 Apr
The use of bacteriophages against Listeria as a ‘non-decontaminating’ processing aid
Ongoing EU legislative controversy over the use of bacteriophages is leading to unnecessary Listeria-deaths, argues biochemist Danielle van Dalen.
MEPs sign letter demanding minimum income to help Europe’s poorest survive Coronavirus
27 Apr
MEPs sign letter demanding minimum income to help Europe’s poorest survive Coronavirus
A total of 23 deputies from four different mainstream political groups have co-signed a letter backing the demand by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN).
Short-term work schemes: Putting people first
27 Apr
Short-term work schemes: Putting people first
By helping Member States safeguard jobs and preserve their economic structures, the EU can help prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from causing long-lasting economic and social damage, explains Nicolas Schmit
Coronavirus mobility crisis
27 Apr
Coronavirus mobility crisis
The European Commission will use every available tool to support the transport sector during the crisis, writes Adina-Ioana Valean

Coronavirus crisis offers chance to ‘transform’ society, says EU Commissioner
24 Apr
Coronavirus crisis offers chance to ‘transform’ society, says EU Commissioner
Mariya Gabriel told MEPs that public disaffection was one of the reasons the European Commission is launching a pan-European “hackathon.”
Michel Barnier accuses UK of running down the clock on Brexit talks
24 Apr
Michel Barnier accuses UK of running down the clock on Brexit talks
EU’s chief negotiator says ‘serious difficulties lie ahead’ if UK’ continues to disengage on key issues.
Parliament President hopes EU can emerge from Coronavirus crisis with ‘stronger sense of community’
24 Apr
Parliament President hopes EU can emerge from Coronavirus crisis with ‘stronger sense of community’
David Sassoli said the extent to which the Coronavirus crisis is devastating economies and citizens’ lives is becoming clear. 
EU leaders sign off on €540bn Coronavirus rescue scheme
24 Apr
EU leaders sign off on €540bn Coronavirus rescue scheme
Beyond the immediate aid, disputes remain over the structure and funding of a long-term recovery plan for Europe’s Coronavirus-battered economies.
IRC calls on EU to take global leadership role on tackling Coronavirus crisis
24 Apr
IRC calls on EU to take global leadership role on tackling Coronavirus crisis
European solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable must be turned into urgent action, argues Imogen Sudbery
Call for EU to do more to protect unaccompanied refugee children from Coronavirus
24 Apr
Call for EU to do more to protect unaccompanied refugee children from Coronavirus
Relocating minors from Greek island camps would be ‘hallmark of virtue and prudence’, writes former MEP Mariela Baeva
To extend or take Britain into a Götterdämerung Brexit?
24 Apr
To extend or take Britain into a Götterdämerung Brexit?
The Coronavirus crisis has utterly derailed all the economic basis as well as the negotiating timetable for a swift agreement, writes Denis MacShane.
Where’s the money coming from? The case for a federal eurobond
23 Apr
Where’s the money coming from? The case for a federal eurobond
As the European Council meets to try to resolve disagreements between Member States over increasing the size of the EU budget, Andrew Duff makes the case for a federal eurobond.
Didier Reynders: Commission considering action against Poland for rule of law breaches
23 Apr
Didier Reynders: Commission considering action against Poland for rule of law breaches
Earlier this month the European Court of Justice suspended the disciplinary chamber of Poland’s Supreme Court over questions about its independence.
Coronavirus: Homeless groups in Brussels say practical help offered by the European parliament has been a ‘Godsend’
23 Apr
Coronavirus: Homeless groups in Brussels say practical help offered by the European parliament has been a ‘Godsend’
Use of EP buildings, chauffeur service and meal provision and distribution has helped city maintain services for the most vulnerable during the Coronavirus crisis.
EU's ‘North versus South’ battle gears up over how to tackle economic fallout of Coronavirus
23 Apr
EU's ‘North versus South’ battle gears up over how to tackle economic fallout of Coronavirus
A video summit of EU leaders is expected to focus on disagreements over calls to introduce jointly issued debt - known as coronabonds - as a way of financing measures to counter the economic impact of the crisis.
EU Trade Commissioner: Solidarity in tackling Coronavirus must not be restricted to EU
22 Apr
EU Trade Commissioner: Solidarity in tackling Coronavirus must not be restricted to EU
In a debate with members of Parliament’s International Trade Committee, Phil Hogan admitted that the EU would “need to review” its trade policy after the pandemic is over.
We must show citizens that the EU is here when they need it
22 Apr
We must show citizens that the EU is here when they need it
In this time of crisis, Consumer protection is more important than ever, explains IMCO Committee chair Petra De Sutter.

 

UK must not be pressured into requesting Brexit extension, says Eurosceptic UK campaign group
22 Apr
UK must not be pressured into requesting Brexit extension, says Eurosceptic UK campaign group
EU need to get on with trade agreement negotiations, instead of playing for time, argues Get Britain Out director, Jayne Adye.
Enabling and accelerating Digital Finance
22 Apr
Enabling and accelerating Digital Finance
The EU is set to reap the benefits of embracing digitalisation and innovation in the financial sector, explains Jan Ceyssens.
European Commission accepts that ‘lessons must be learned’ from Coronavirus crisis
21 Apr
European Commission accepts that ‘lessons must be learned’ from Coronavirus crisis
In response to a question from this website, the executive said it was too early to assess where its approach might differ in the event of a second, or even third, wave of the outbreak.
Europe’s tourist industry faces ‘disaster’ this summer, says senior MEP
21 Apr
Europe’s tourist industry faces ‘disaster’ this summer, says senior MEP
Younous Omarjee has warned that the tourist season in Europe is shaping up to be a disaster, particularly in southern Member States that are heavily dependent on tourism.