EC did not consider toxic health consequences of its plastic straw ban
The EU did not consider the increase in toxic PFAS chemicals when it decided to ban single-use plastic straws, the bloc's environment commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius,…
Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Poland’s Conservatives float EU exit over proposed treaty changes
Poland could reconsider its EU membership if a treaty change removes members' veto, says Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the outgoing PiS party.
Timmermans’ chance of becoming next Dutch PM ‘not very big’
Former EU climate commissioner Frans Timmermans will face a harder race than expected to become Dutch PM in nine days, says a leading Amsterdam journalist.
Tusk’s coalition want to get rid of me over opposition to the Euro, claims Poland’s central bank head
National Bank of Poland (NBP) president Adam Glapiński accommodated the previous PiS government too much on monetary policy and undermined the bank's independence,…
Make no mistake, the EU is building an empire. Putin has given it the excuse all imperial projects need
There is more than one way to hide an empire. Rule number one, never call it an empire.
EP President admits EU has done ‘too little’ to fight illegal migration
The EU has done "too little" to deal with illegal immigration, admits European Parliament president Roberta Metsola.
Pope meets Gibraltar’s leaders at the Vatican
The Pope met with Gibraltar's chief minister and governor, saying its interfaith harmony must be "conserved and preserved".
Orban says Ukraine EU membership talks ‘should not start’ yet
Ukraine is “in no way ready” to join the EU, says Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán.
New Polish parliamentary majority signs detail-lite coalition agreement
The four political parties making up Poland's incoming government signed a detail-light agreement permitting Donald Tusk to become prime minister.
Latvia legalises same-sex partnerships, but denies them adoption rights
Latvia's parliament has narrowly voted to allow same-sex civil partnerships.
Portugal’s president dissolves parliament and calls early elections
Portugal's president has scheduled early elections for March 10 2024, following the resignation of the country's PM amid a corruption investigation.
Commission rejects privacy concerns linked to physical ID card revamp
The European Commission rejected privacy concerns linked to a planned revamp of physical European ID cards.
EU now needs a defence commissioner, says Dutch defence minister
The EU needs to establish a brand-new defence commissioner position to respond to wars in Ukraine and Israel, says the Netherlands' outgoing defence minister.
EU about to approve final – very diluted – nature restoration law
The EU has moved closer to an agreement on a hotly contested nature restoration law, though it has been heavily watered down from earlier proposals.
Polish MEPs stripped of immunity to face charges for retweeting criticism of illegal migration
The European Parliament stripped four Polish MEPs of their immunity, allowing them to face criminal charges for retweeting their party's 2018 local elections post.
Constructive diplomacy? The Vatican’s close engagement with Iran could have far-reaching consequences
The high-level contact between the Holy See and Iran, especially in the context of the conflict that broke out in the Holy Land, should not be surprising.
EU closer to adopting Digital Identity for citizens that critics say means ‘less security for all’
The EU has come closer to building a pan-European digital identity network, though critics argue it has insufficient safeguards.
Liberal Group among most divided in EU Parliament, voting record shows
The Liberal Renew Europe group is one of the European Parliament's most divided, a recent study of the voting record shows.
More than €75,000 in cash found in office of aide of Portugal’s ex-PM
Days after Portugal's PM António Costa resigned amid a corruption investigation, police found €75,800 in cash in his chief of staff's office, hidden between books…
Spain in shock after anti-amnesty politician is shot in the face
The shooting of Alejo Vidal-Quadras, a founder of the right-wing Vox party and former MEP, in the Núñez de Balboa Street of Madrid's city centre at around 13:30,…
Kosovo establishes institute to document Serbian war crimes
Kosovo's PM will establish an institute to document Serbia's war crimes during the 1998-1999 conflict.
Brussels enters Catalan amnesty battle: ‘serious concerns’ about draft law
European Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders has written to Spain’s acting government expressing “serious concerns” over a potential new amnesty law for Catalan…
YouTube, TikTok face EU requests for details on measures protecting minors
Google's YouTube and TikTok will be asked by EU industry chief Thierry Breton to explain how they protect children from illegal and harmful content on their platforms…
Turkey says EU is ‘unjust and biased’ on membership bid
The European Commission's annual report on Turkey's long-stalled EU membership bid is "unjust and biased", the Turkish foreign ministry said.
Portugal’s political crisis stalls key projects & TAP privatisation
Portuguese green energy investments that require European Union funds and the privatisation of airline TAP are among the projects at risk of being derailed in…
AfD MEP calls party’s ‘extremist’ label a ‘de-legitimation strategy’
German domestic intelligence classified the AfD's Saxony-Anhalt branch as an extremist group on Tuesday, which an AfD MEP called a cynical ploy to hurt the party's…
Russia looms large as Serbia heads towards early elections
Serbia and Russia have grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine
EU reform and enlargement are separate, Commissioner insists
The EU's enlargement Commissioner insists expanding and reforming the EU are separate issues, as the Brussels executive recommends moving forward with the accession…
Portugal set for election after corruption probe topples premier
Portugal is heading for a probable snap election after Prime Minister Antonio Costa unexpectedly ended his eight-year tenure amid a probe into possible corruption…
France’s immigration bill tilts Right as worker permit clause dropped
France's much-debated immigration bill has veered towards the right as senators removed an article that would have facilitated residency permits for undocumented…