Get your motors running: End of the (cheap) road for SUV drivers in Paris?
Parisians are to vote on whether to hit owners of 4x4 vehicles with parking fees as high as €18 an hour – three times the current rate.
EU shifts budget priorities from climate to defence as Ukraine takes centre stage
The European Union's budget priorities are shifting rapidly away from solar cells to bullets as the Ukraine conflict replaces the stalled Green Deal in leaders' concerns.
Northern Ireland to get a government as EU food and goods rules tip balance
Northern Ireland will get a government again after two years as a rudderless ship in a deal involving stickers and sticking with European Union food and goods rules.
Germany endorses AI Act but not all think it’s so smart
The Germany Government has endorsed the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, clearing a key hurdle to enable it to become law before June's European Parliament elections.
Paris leads race for EU’s new AMLA HQ but Dublin ‘gains momentum’
Several countries are competing to house the European Union's newly formed anti-money laundering authority (AMLA).
Despite a foot in both EU and UK markets, Northern Ireland still can’t flourish
Uniquely, Northern Ireland has full access to both the EU and UK market but its economy has still struggled to take advantage, economists and civil society leaders told Brussels…
If mainstream German politics fragments further, would it help the CDU?
As Germans appear to grow more disillusioned with mainstream parties, WerteUnion's (Values Union) launch means the country has seen two new populist parties form this year…
Red tape ties up most of €800 billion EU ‘green’ fund
An €800 billion European Union programme set up to fund the bloc’s “green” and digital transitions has been held up by red tape, with fewer than a third of the money…
Plan to ‘shield’ EU against Chinese tech set to ruffle Member States’ feathers
The European Commission has unveiled new "economic security" proposals mainly aimed at managing European Union relations with China and aligning more with the US.
EU gig-workers’ directive in trouble
A long-promised European Union directive giving full employment rights to “gig economy” workers could fall victim to the EU elections, experts told Brussels Signal
Many ECB staff ‘not impressed’ with Lagarde
Lagarde, the first ECB President without a background as a trained economist, has lost the confidence of more than a thousand of her staff, according to a survey
EU backs Red Sea naval mission but that may expose ‘splits’ at home
European Union foreign ministers have reached a decision "in principle" to launch a naval mission to help secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea, overcoming Spanish opposition…
Is Swiss neutrality at risk as it chums-up to China?
Switzerland, generally seen as having closer ties to China than the rest of Europe, has signed a deal with Beijing to strengthen their relationship.
EU’s Ukraine war-aid figures ‘don’t add up’, it seems
The European Union is auditing Member States' military aid to Ukraine, with Germany complaining France is not pulling its weight, as others see things differently.
Russia ‘targets Europe with hi-tech digital spycraft’ as continental elections approach
As European elections 2024 loom, Russia's “espionage tactics” targeting European Union politicians and EU military establishments, among others, are becoming more sophisticated…
Meloni and EC at loggerheads over ESM ‘austerity weapon’
After vetoing reforms to the Eurozone bailout fund, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has challenged its managing director, Pierre Gramegna, to find a “better use”…
Turkey ramps-up web censorship ahead of March elections
Turkey has clamped down on virtual private networks (VPNs) ahead of local elections in March.
Is rape a crime? EU seems unsure …
The European Union's first directive on combating sexual violence against women has hit a roadblock.
Good COP, bad COP? Macron takes flak over environment pledges
After winning praise at the COP 28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai for announcing €173 million in donations to multilateral climate funds, France's President Macron…
EU mulls Red Sea naval mission but support divided over US/UK missile strikes
With European Union representatives meeting to discuss a possible naval mission to the Red Sea, members are divided on whether or not to support ongoing US and UK missile…
Germany’s shrinking economy to boost populist AfD further, say experts
Germany's already bleak economy looks set to contract further through 2024, economists have told Brussels Signal.
French Government reset unlikely to give Macron the boost he needs, say analysts
French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to pick a new Prime Minister and Cabinet is unlikely to give him the reset he needed after wounding battles on immigration and…
Sabre-rattling Vestager in US to pressure Big Tech executives on Digital Markets Act
Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for Competition, is expected to throw her weight around with the CEOs of Apple and Google during her US trip, which began on January…
Vacuous PR? Brussels begs Taylor Swift to get out Europe’s ‘youth’ vote
The European Commission is attempting to engage "youth" with its "European project" ahead of elections to a European Parliament that only 57 per cent of Eurobarometer respondents…
Irish court case against UK could push Westminster to leave ECHR
Ireland is set to take the UK to court in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
‘Russian disinformation’ over Prague shooting spurs Czech calls for gun-law change
Russia has been accused of spreading online disinformation after the mass shooting in Prague, claiming the perpetrator was a Ukrainian refugee.
Eurosceptics tone down talk of EU exit ahead of projected election breakthrough
Parties that oppose more EU integration have differing opinions over Ukraine but share views on migration and climate-change policy.
Man ‘shot with Italian MP’s gun’ at New Year’s Eve party
A male guest was shot with a gun belonging to one of Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni's MPs at a New Year's party in the town of Rosazza, in Northern Italy.
Sink or swim: EU Migration Pact in choppy waters
The European Parliament and European Council are in a race to approve the EU Migration and Asylum Pact before June's European elections.
Bosnia ‘on brink of collapse’ as EU watches on
The European Union's disengagement from Bosnia has let nationalists “pull the country apart”, analysts have told Brussels Signal