Interview: Séjourné’s quest for competitiveness
05 Jun EU Institutions

Interview: Séjourné’s quest for competitiveness

As the EU seeks to boost its competitiveness amid mounting economic headwinds, the European Commission's Stéphane Séjourné calls for deepening the single market and a 'Buy European' approach.
by Matt Lynes
The Parliament's June print edition is out now
06 Jun EU Institutions
The Parliament's June print edition is out now
Op-ed: How Mediterranean overfishing can be reversed
06 Jun EU Institutions
Op-ed: How Mediterranean overfishing can be reversed
Q+A: Why the Dutch government collapsed — and why it matters
04 Jun Foreign & Security Policy
Q+A: Why the Dutch government collapsed — and why it matters
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
06 Jul
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
In an unusual intervention in domestic politics, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly voiced her support for Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
5 Questions with... Henna Virkkunen
06 Jul
5 Questions with... Henna Virkkunen
Henna Virkkunen (FI, EPP) is a member of Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
06 Jul
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
The former Danish Prime Minister’s comments come ahead of a key meeting on Wednesday, where EU leaders hope to break the current impasse over the €750bn Recovery Plan and the next long-term budget.
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
06 Jul
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
The crime spree appears to have taken place mainly while the building was effectively empty, with thieves accessing “sensitive” papers and breaking into secure cupboards in MEPs’ offices.
A history of violence
06 Jul
A history of violence
Sharing her own recent experience of police harassment, Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana says there is an urgent need to address police brutality, accountability and over policing.
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
06 Jul
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
Speaking to MEPs, Florence Parly said the EDF, a new EU defence initiative, could be “an important tool for economic recovery” from the pandemic.
Evin Incir: Enough is Enough
06 Jul
Evin Incir: Enough is Enough
The death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests have thrust racism back into the spotlight. Evin Incir 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.
The Rebel Queen
02 Jul
The Rebel Queen
This year, in the wake of our global reckoning with racism, Independence Day should also be a day for reflecting on all people of African descent who fought for their right to be free from slavery and oppression, yet who have been deliberately erased from history.
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
02 Jul
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator was speaking at the close of this week’s talks with his UK counterpart David Frost.
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
02 Jul
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
A new report claims that the German government’s “love affair” with gas and “unconditional support” for its automobile sector are “clear cut examples” of how its EU presidency risks stymying effective climate action by the EU.
EU Pharmaceutical Strategy could be a lost opportunity if action is not taken now Partner Content
02 Jul
EU Pharmaceutical Strategy could be a lost opportunity if action is not taken now
In its current form, the pharma strategy roadmap lacks the necessary drivers of innovation to put Europe back at the forefront of medical discovery, writes Nathalie Moll
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
01 Jul
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
Senior German MEP Sven Giegold says that MEPs will only be able to choose from a “one-man” shortlist which also lacks gender balance.
“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.