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
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
01 Jul
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
Senior Greens MEP Bas Eickhout says Germany takes over the helm of the EU from Croatia during “unprecedented times” for the bloc.
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
01 Jul
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
The EU’s police agency says there has been a “surge” in online distribution of child sexual abuse material during the Coronavirus pandemic.
5 Questions with... Dragoș Pîslaru
30 Jun
5 Questions with... Dragoș Pîslaru
Dragoș Pîslaru (RO, RE) is a member of Parliament’s EMPL committee
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
30 Jun
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
The European Commission Vice-President was initially lambasted by the European Network Against Racism after comments he reportedly made following the death of George Floyd in the United States.
Issue 518 | 29 June 2020
30 Jun
Issue 518 | 29 June 2020
Our cover interview this issue is with Swedish S&D deputy Evin Incir. With the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests thrusting racism into the spotlight, Incir, who is of Kurdish descent, tells Lorna Hutchinson that it’s time for policymakers to move from words to action and make full use of the momentum behind this crucial rights issue.
Why Moldova belongs in the European Union
30 Jun
Why Moldova belongs in the European Union
The country may be more polarised than ever, but the least its people deserve is a government that respects the rule of law, argues Ramona Strugariu.
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
30 Jun
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
ID member Silvia Sardone launched an attack on the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom, when he spoke to a parliamentary committee via video link.
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
30 Jun
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
Animal welfare campaign groups say the establishment of a special committee is particularly timely as the trade in live animal transportation is increasing across Europe.
Georgia on my mind
30 Jun
Georgia on my mind
Georgia is an oasis of democracy, peace and prosperity in an otherwise complex and conflict ridden region. The EU must remain firmly committed to its policy of supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, writes Marina Kaljurand
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
29 Jun
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
Parliament cancelled all plenary sessions in the French city due to the spread of the Coronavirus - the last parliamentary session held there was in February.
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
29 Jun
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
It is hoped that the resumption of “physical” negotiations, as opposed to conference calls, will facilitate a speeding up of the deadlocked discussions.
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
26 Jun
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
Germany takes over the rotating presidency from Croatia on 1 July, against a backdrop of crises, including the Coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the still-unapproved long-term EU budget.
Affordable decarbonisation of rural businesses and industries Partner Content
26 Jun
Affordable decarbonisation of rural businesses and industries
As Europe plans for a green recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic, we must make sure that rural areas are not left behind in the energy transition, write Małgosia Rybak and François Paquet.
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: adopting a culture of prevention in Europe Partner Content
26 Jun
Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: adopting a culture of prevention in Europe
Good nutrition is a key factor in preventing cancer, however, more can be done to make healthier lifestyles easier to follow, writes Andrea Bertocco from Herbalife.
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
25 Jun
Conference on Future of Europe is chance to achieve ‘more democratic, legitimate and effective Union’
Senior MEP Danuta Hübner was speaking after MEPs adopted a resolution calling for the much-delayed conference to start as soon as possible.
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
25 Jun
EU responded ‘poorly’ to Coronavirus crisis, survey shows
The poll says that “majorities in all countries” complained that the EU “did not rise to the challenge” - this includes 63 percent in Italy and 61 percent in France, two of the worst-hit countries.
Eastern Partnership in review
25 Jun
Eastern Partnership in review
The initiative has brought concrete benefits for both the EU and its eastern neighbourhood, and engagement with the six partner countries remains a key priority, writes Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
25 Jun
Could a successful Eastern Partnership encourage Russia to reform?
We need some courageous EU policymaking to ensure our Eastern partners can become free, united and democratic, argues Witold Jan Waszczykowski.
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
24 Jun
European Commission says GDPR has met ‘most of its objectives’
The verdict comes on the second anniversary of the landmark General Data Protection Regulation, the flagship EU law designed to protect personal data.
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
24 Jun
Europol voices concern over ‘worrying’ rise in violence and propaganda by right-wing extremists
The warning comes in a report by the EU agency which was presented to members of Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday.
Parliament praised for decision to set up special committee on cancer
24 Jun
Parliament praised for decision to set up special committee on cancer
The committee is tasked with identifying legislation and other measures that can help prevent and fight cancer, as well as examining ways to support further research into the disease.
The key role LNG can play in Europe's energy transition
24 Jun
The key role LNG can play in Europe's energy transition
Liquefied Natural Gas can be an enabler for a sustainable and swift transition to a climate-neutral Europe, argues Zdzisław Krasnodebski.
How Europe can power its green recovery
24 Jun
How Europe can power its green recovery
The energy sector has weathered the Coronavirus crisis well, but more needs to be done to prepare for the demands of the future, writes Kadri Simson.
Can the Recovery Plan be a green stepping stone to a more sustainable future?
24 Jun
Can the Recovery Plan be a green stepping stone to a more sustainable future?
The vast amounts of money that need to be invested immediately to get the economy back on track should be as green as possible and, at the same time, ensure job creation, argues Morten Petersen.