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
Autism Awareness Day: Being unique
02 Apr
Autism Awareness Day: Being unique
The EU needs to do more to empower people with disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn and excel in their own way, argues Miriam Dalli.
Autism Awareness Day: The right to work
02 Apr
Autism Awareness Day: The right to work
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder have the right to work to gain their economic independence, but greater investment and resources are needed, argues Alicia Homs Ginel.
The Private Sector must unite to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic Partner Content
02 Apr
The Private Sector must unite to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic
Businesses, government and civil society can lead together, with compassion and solidarity, writes CEO of Kale Group Zeynep Bodur Okyay.
The European Parliament will again hold meetings in Brussels this week
01 Apr
The European Parliament will again hold meetings in Brussels this week
The three planned committee meetings, though, will be confined to just one day, Thursday 2 April, with the vast majority of deputies taking part remotely. 
Leaving no city behind
01 Apr
Leaving no city behind
The Coronavirus crisis has demonstrated how cities are on the front line of response to our biggest challenges, but no city is on its own thanks to cohesion policy, writes Normunds Popens.
MEPs urge Commission to put Green Deal on ice amid COVID-19 crisis
01 Apr
MEPs urge Commission to put Green Deal on ice amid COVID-19 crisis
Nearly 40 MEPs have asked that the European Green Deal, a Commission flagship policy, is dropped for the time being due to the coronavirus crisis.
Harmonising access
01 Apr
Harmonising access
With medicine shortages and inequalities in access on the rise in the EU, there is a pressing need to shift more healthcare powers to the EU institutions, explains Katerina Konečná.
A fundamental right
31 Mar
A fundamental right
Housing is a basic human need, yet in Portugal rental policies have prioritised the interests of real estate funds and large investors, catapulting prices for residents, writes Sandra Pereira.
MEPs slam Hungary after “lockdown of democracy”
31 Mar
MEPs slam Hungary after “lockdown of democracy”
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's coalition passed an emergency bill in parliament that allows the government to rule by decree indefinitely during a state of emergency over the Coronavirus outbreak.
Me(a)t the Future Partner Content
31 Mar
Me(a)t the Future
Karsten Maier highlights the functioning of the food-chain during crisis and its approach to future EU policy.
Issue 512 | 30 March 2020
30 Mar
Issue 512 | 30 March 2020
This issue we focus on the Coronavirus pandemic – the unprecedented crisis sweeping across the world, of which Europe is now the epicentre: We feature MEP commentary on COVID-19 from Andrea Cozzolino (IT, S&D), Romeo Franz (DE, Greens/EFA) and Victor Negrescu (RO, S&D).
Why the EU should rethink its push for a digital research and education “lighthouse” Partner Content
30 Mar
Why the EU should rethink its push for a digital research and education “lighthouse”
Europe must connect its ambition of being a digital leader with initiatives already happening at its universities, says Amanda Crowfoot.
Movers and Shakers | 27 March 2020
27 Mar
Movers and Shakers | 27 March 2020

 
Emergency Coronavirus measures approved in extraordinary plenary
26 Mar
Emergency Coronavirus measures approved in extraordinary plenary
The special plenary session saw 687 deputies overwhelmingly approve a set of urgent measures which aim to boost European and global efforts to help combat the spread of Coronavirus.
National politics sink hopes of an EU response to Coronavirus crisis
25 Mar
National politics sink hopes of an EU response to Coronavirus crisis
The Coronavirus has exposed how brittle Europe is and the national protectionisms and politics of ‘sauve qui peut’ may last long after the medical threat has receded, writes Denis MacShane.
Higher ambition
24 Mar
Higher ambition
The EU’s fight against cancer must never stand still, argues Brando Benifei.
EU set to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia
24 Mar
EU set to start membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia
An EU General Affairs Council meeting today is likely to give the go ahead - a decision that has been long awaited in the region.
Remote working: The new normal
24 Mar
Remote working: The new normal
With millions of workers across Europe now confined to their homes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an expert has offered advice to the challenges facing many companies.
Securing against shortages
24 Mar
Securing against shortages
Any new EU cancer plan must take steps to address the growing problem of medicines shortages through measures to secure manufacture within Europe, says Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé.
A European solution to Cancer
24 Mar
A European solution to Cancer
Parliament’s new Special Committee will help ensure that the fight against cancer remains a top priority for the EU, explains Peter Liese.
Exceptional times require decisive action, says EESC chief
23 Mar
Exceptional times require decisive action, says EESC chief
The EU must come together, support each other and take concerted action to defeat the COVID-19 outbreak, writes Luca Jahier.
An uncertain future for Conference on Future of Europe
23 Mar
An uncertain future for Conference on Future of Europe
The launch of the Europe-wide Conference, which aims to kickstart debate about the future of Europe, is looking increasingly unlikely amid the escalating Coronavirus crisis. 
5 Questions with... Atidzhe Alieva-Veli
23 Mar
5 Questions with... Atidzhe Alieva-Veli
Atidzhe Alieva-Veli (BG, RE) is a vice-chair of Parliament’s delegation to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Turning legislation into action
23 Mar
Turning legislation into action
The Water Framework Directive is a well-designed piece of legislation. However, without proper implementation it will remain ineffective in delivering water protection, writes Grace O’Sullivan.