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
Mafia or environmental group? Some EU states don't see a difference
26 Feb Energy & Environment
Mafia or environmental group? Some EU states don't see a difference
Several EU states are coming down hard on environmental groups like Last Generation. Lawyers and human rights groups say over-prosecution violates fundamental rights.
Op-ed: A critical medicine shortage calls for better EU collaboration
25 Feb EU Institutions
Op-ed: A critical medicine shortage calls for better EU collaboration
With the European Medicines Agency identifying shortages in more than 30 critical medicines, the single market presents an opportunity to rethink the EU’s approach to medicines.
Accelerating the development of a Europe-wide CO2 storage market Partner Content
25 Feb
Accelerating the development of a Europe-wide CO2 storage market
Expanding the CO2 storage market to cover all of Europe, including the UK, is critical for reducing emissions efficiently and affordably, according to a new report. We organised an event with the Carbon Capture and Storage Association to find out more
Q&A: Merz’s conservatives take first in German election
24 Feb EU Institutions
Q&A: Merz’s conservatives take first in German election
The Left and far-right AfD did well, too, marking trouble for centrist governing. The CDU and SPD may be heading for another grand coalition.
Cutting red tape or cutting corners? The EU 'simplification’ dilemma
20 Feb EU Institutions
Cutting red tape or cutting corners? The EU 'simplification’ dilemma
Brussels’ ‘unprecedented’ effort to make the EU more business-friendly hopes to do away with onerous regulation. It could also harm the foundation the single market is built on.
Op-ed: Europe's great tech mirage
19 Feb EU Institutions
Op-ed: Europe's great tech mirage
For the EU to have a chance to be competitive across next-gen technologies like AI and quantum computing, it will need both strategic investments and a willingness to pick winners – and losers.
Europe at odds with US over Ukraine — and itself
18 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Europe at odds with US over Ukraine — and itself
First a call, now a meeting. The Trump administration is pushing ahead on negotiations with Russia over Ukraine. The EU is trying to find its way to the table.
The future of cosmetics: Safeguarding a European flagship industry Partner Content
18 Feb Energy & Environment
The future of cosmetics: Safeguarding a European flagship industry
Europe's cosmetics industry is a global leader in innovation and sustainability but faces mounting challenges from complex regulations and international competition. At a recent Strasbourg dinner, industry leaders and MEPs explored how to balance environmental goals, consumer needs, and economic competitiveness to safeguard the future of this vital sector.
Op-ed: Musk’s DSA denial could harm European citizens
18 Feb Technology
Op-ed: Musk’s DSA denial could harm European citizens
The EU’s Digital Service Act is designed to protect the bloc’s citizens from harmful and misleading content. Flaunting the rules damages democracy.
How bureaucracy and underfunding undermine EU military mobility
17 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
How bureaucracy and underfunding undermine EU military mobility
An internal audit finds serious shortcomings in the bloc's efforts to improve military mobility. Defence experts warn that the slow response time could undermine readiness and deterrence.
Bring Back SEP Regulation – a Lifeline for Industry in Europe Partner Content
17 Feb Technology
Bring Back SEP Regulation – a Lifeline for Industry in Europe
To preserve competitiveness of industry in Europe, including SMEs, the EU must urgently resume efforts to normalise licensing of standardised technologies, such as WiFi or 5G, to make it more transparent, predictable and fair.
A Taste of Success: The European Snacks Association and the Savoury Snacks Industry Partner Content
17 Feb
A Taste of Success: The European Snacks Association and the Savoury Snacks Industry
With growing consumer demand for sustainable and nutritious products, and as the EU grapples with ambitious climate and health targets, the European savoury snacks industry is at a pivotal moment
Europe’s humiliation: How Trump and Hegseth caught NATO off guard
14 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Europe’s humiliation: How Trump and Hegseth caught NATO off guard
NATO-Europe scrambled this week to respond to Trump's effort to cut it out of talks with Russia's Putin. Ukraine now looks vulnerable to US interests in ending the war.
February's print edition of The Parliament is out now
14 Feb EU Institutions
February's print edition of The Parliament is out now
From Russia's hybrid war on Europe to the continent's young shifting towards the right of the political spectrum, The Parliament's February edition dives into some of the big issues across the bloc.
Op-ed: The EU's AI moment can stop tech talent brain drain
11 Feb Technology
Op-ed: The EU's AI moment can stop tech talent brain drain
America's loss could be the EU's gain as inclusive work cultures and a desire for responsible AI can woo global talent from Silicon Valley.
Q&A: Kosovo's elections come at pivotal time for its EU future
11 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Q&A: Kosovo's elections come at pivotal time for its EU future
Kosovar elections will likely return Albin Kurti to the prime minister's office, albeit with diminished support. His last term had a mixed record on the issue of EU integration.
Why early intervention is key to unlocking healthcare capacity Partner Content
11 Feb Technology
Why early intervention is key to unlocking healthcare capacity
A recent major OECD report has warned of a looming crisis in the European health workforce. In the third in our series on the challenges faced across European healthcare systems we explore how early intervention in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases provides a model that can reduce pressure on overstretched frontline health services
Circular solutions: Realising the potential of sustainable packaging Partner Content
11 Feb Energy & Environment
Circular solutions: Realising the potential of sustainable packaging
Fibre-based packaging can play a vital part of a sustainable, truly circular economy. But progress requires a collective effort between industries, policymakers and waste management sectors
Op-ed: Russia must be kept in check in the Baltics
07 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Op-ed: Russia must be kept in check in the Baltics
With increased damage to underwater infrastructure in the Baltics, decision-makers are left searching for the correct level of response to potential sabotage.
Power play: Baltic states cut Russian grid connection
06 Feb Foreign & Security Policy
Power play: Baltic states cut Russian grid connection
On Saturday, the Baltic states will finally desynchronise from the BRELL electricity grid, which links it to Russia and Belarus. But the region is still vulnerable to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Op-ed: Reimagining the EU’s urban mobility is key to a sustainable future
06 Feb Technology
Op-ed: Reimagining the EU’s urban mobility is key to a sustainable future
Europe’s cities have the potential to be hubs of experimentation and innovation to make transport greener.
Q+A: What's next for European defence?
05 Feb EU Institutions
Q+A: What's next for European defence?
EU leaders and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Brussels on Monday to discuss defence procurement and Ukraine, with the spectre of Donald Trump lurking in the background.
After months of stalemate, Belgium has a government
04 Feb EU Institutions
After months of stalemate, Belgium has a government
Bart De Wever’s rise to Belgian prime minister ends months of tough coalition negotiation. The Flemish nationalist with a Eurosceptic past now leads a pro-European government.
Trump’s divide-and-conquer tactics overshadow EU leaders’ retreat
04 Feb EU Institutions
Trump’s divide-and-conquer tactics overshadow EU leaders’ retreat
Eastern European leaders recoiled at French insistence that EU military funds should be spent on European equipment, while the UK prime minister demurred from showing full-throated support for NATO ally Denmark.