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
Macron and Merkel have ‘lot of work to do’ to reach EU recovery plan deal, says senior MEP
23 Jun
Macron and Merkel have ‘lot of work to do’ to reach EU recovery plan deal, says senior MEP
Greens co-leader Philippe Lamberts was speaking on Tuesday ahead of a key meeting between the French President and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
23 Jun
EU leaders accused of ‘failing to act’ to combat institutional and structural racism
The condemnation, from a leading NGO, comes in the wake of an official complaint by black MEP Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana who said she had been a victim of alleged police violence by officers in Brussels.
From collegiality to Iron Towers Partner Content
23 Jun
From collegiality to Iron Towers
Spyros Pappas examines the European Commission’s constantly changing but always challenging role in the European Union.
Danger behind closed doors
23 Jun
Danger behind closed doors
Domestic abuse call lines have been inundated during lockdown. It’s time to eradicate violence in our communities once and for all, argues Frances Fitzgerald.
Putting EU development policy back on the map
23 Jun
Putting EU development policy back on the map
Everyone involved in development and humanitarian aid policies will benefit from better coordination and stronger EU leadership, writes Tomas Tobé.
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
22 Jun
Dominic Cummings “is calling the shots” in the British government, says senior MEP
The controversial political strategist has served as chief adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson since July 2019.
GDPR in review
22 Jun
GDPR in review
The privacy law has cemented the role of the EU as the world leader on data protection, but there are still enforcement challenges that need to be overcome, explains Jeroen Lenaers.
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
19 Jun
Boris Johnson told to follow up on his demand to ‘put a tiger in the tank' of stalled Brexit talks
European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group deputies warn ‘level playing field’ is an EU red line issue.
Why the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is more meaningful and powerful than ever
19 Jun
Why the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is more meaningful and powerful than ever
We have the opportunity to build a new postpandemic world, one that is more inclusive, green and sustainable than today, writes Jutta Urpilainen.
EU leaders mustn’t backtrack on Recovery Package, warns David Sassoli
19 Jun
EU leaders mustn’t backtrack on Recovery Package, warns David Sassoli
There can be ‘no going back’ from level of ambition expressed in the Commission package, says European Parliament President.
A Juneteenth like no other
19 Jun
A Juneteenth like no other
This year’s US Emancipation Proclamation celebrations come against a backdrop of anger and protest following the killing of George Floyd, explains Pauline Manos & the Democrats Abroad Belgium community.
Moroccan medical aid is an example of true solidarity between African nations Partner Content
19 Jun
Moroccan medical aid is an example of true solidarity between African nations
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Africa particularly hard. However, Morocco has once again taken the initiative, writes Colin Mackay.
Food and drink sector can help EU become benchmark for biodiversity, says industry chief Partner Content
19 Jun
Food and drink sector can help EU become benchmark for biodiversity, says industry chief
New FoodDrinkEurope president Marco Settembri says he wants Europe’s food sector to be a “gold standard of biodiversity”.
In conversation with... Jacob Hansen Partner Content
18 Jun
In conversation with... Jacob Hansen
With half of global food production down to the use of mineral fertilizers, the sector plays a vital role in providing Europe with affordable and nutritious food. We clearly cannot survive without mineral fertilizers and so need to make sure this resource is used better, says Jacob Hansen, Director General of Fertilizers Europe.
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
18 Jun
Josep Borrell singles out China for disinformation campaign against the West
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs said that China, and to a lesser extent, Russia, had “participated in this” during the ongoing health crisis.
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
18 Jun
‘Legendary British pragmatism’ will secure trade deal with EU by year end, says senior MEP
The co-author of a parliamentary report on Brexit said this is still the likely scenario despite “four years of drama and the UK painfully coming to grips” with its EU exit.
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
18 Jun
MEPs looking for clear message from EU leaders’ summit later this week
Senior EU parliamentarians looking for national governments to move forward on crucial issues such as Rule of law, financing, Coronavirus recovery and future of Europe.
MEPs condemn George Floyd killing in plenary debate
17 Jun
MEPs condemn George Floyd killing in plenary debate
The debate began with a personal story of alleged police violence on Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a German Greens MEP.
George Floyd killing: Europe rallies against racism
17 Jun
George Floyd killing: Europe rallies against racism
Campaigners and MEPS want the EU to tackle racism with ‘real action and not just pretty words’ writes Rajnish Singh.

 

Making dairy an integral part of the Green Recovery Partner Content
17 Jun
Making dairy an integral part of the Green Recovery
Applying sustainability throughout the entire dairy value chain can help ensure Europe’s green transition, writes Arla Foods CEO Peder Tuborgh.
Issue 517 | 15 June 2020
16 Jun
Issue 517 | 15 June 2020
Our cover interview this issue is with Renew Europe MEP Chrysoula Zacharopoulou. The Development Committee Vice-Chair tells Lorna Hutchinson why everyone, regardless of skin colour, gender, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation, should have the right to live with dignity and opportunity and why we must commit to defending these founding European values.
Parliament should have say on €750bn recovery plan implementation, say MEPs
16 Jun
Parliament should have say on €750bn recovery plan implementation, say MEPs
Fears have emerged that Parliament will be sidelined in how the recovery package is implemented and President David Sassoli has publicly stated the institution “must be fully involved.”
EU and UK urged not to ‘indulge in a blame game’ over deadlocked Brexit talks
16 Jun
EU and UK urged not to ‘indulge in a blame game’ over deadlocked Brexit talks
A senior member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group told this website the EU should still hold out for a “comprehensive” trade agreement with Britain and not the “piecemeal approach the UK wants.”
Key Brexit meeting concludes ‘more momentum’ needed to break deadlock
15 Jun
Key Brexit meeting concludes ‘more momentum’ needed to break deadlock
The two sides had a video conference on Monday afternoon which appears to have amounted to little more than a stock-taking exercise.