Meloni seeks to move Italy towards French-style presidential system
Giorgia Meloni wants to amend Italy’s constitution so that future prime ministers have more power.
Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Switzerland holds biggest military exercises in decades
In one of Switzerland’s largest military exercises in more than three decades, soldiers rehearsed repelling a fictional enemy, tossed grenades and fired live munitions…
Qatar’s influence over the EU goes unchecked. It is not the only foreign power active in Brussels
Qatargate has become the biggest corruption scandal to hit the European Parliament. It has exposed the ability of foreign governments to penetrate European institutions.
Relief in Poland as ‘miracle’ EU methane compromise saves coal industry
Poland’s coal industry and the ruling conservative PiS government have breathed a sigh of relief at the European Parliament’s backing for lower methane emission…
Qatargate accused Tarabella tearful after conditional release; wants to return to Strasbourg Parliament
Qatargate accused Marc Tarabella broke down in front of press on May 10 as he accused his former friend Pier Antonio Panzeri of “throwing him to the wolves”.
The EU should not be a superpower, says German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz contradicted French President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of the EU as a potential superpower in a speech in the European Parliament to mark ‘Europe…
French Parliament debates compulsory flying of EU flag
French deputies were on May 9 due to vote on a controversial bill to force all local government buildings to fly the EU flag.
Weber tops list of influential Euro MPs
German European People’s Party chairman Manfred Weber is the most influential MEP, according to a think tank report.
Prime Minister of Slovakia steps down amid EU subsidy scandal
Eduard Heger has stepped down as prime minister of Slovakia following an EU funding scandal.
EU eyeing sanctions against Chinese companies that aid Russian war machine
The European Commission has proposed sanctioning seven Chinese firms that are alleged to have sold equipment capable of supporting Russia’s military operation.
EU de-platforms ‘far-right’ Israeli minister by cancelling event
EU diplomats have de-platformed an Israeli minister by cancelling the event he was due to attend, according to reports.
Sweden Democrats to push for more EU vetoes
The Sweden Democrats say they want more veto power over EU laws.
Greek legacy media ‘fighting for survival’
Financial stress, declining readerships, shrinking advertising and the the pandemic have left Greece’s legacy media on the brink, according to Reporters Without…
Hungary can’t get its EU billions despite concessions
Hungary “expects” to get billions of euros blocked by the EU after it “fulfilled its commitments,” says Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga.
Attempts by Brussels to keep Kosovo-Serbia talks on track take another hit
Kosovo’s government has dismissed the team responsible for negotiations on Serbian-majority regions in Kosovo just days after the latest EU-backed talks between…
Von der Leyen could lose European Parliament ‘green deal’ vote
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EU is ‘safe haven for corrupt money’
The European Commission should look closer to home with its new anti-corruption legislation, says a prominent Euro MP.
Rumours swirl around European Parliament future of Salvini’s Lega party
Italy’s Lega party is contemplating a departure from the European Parliament’s rightwing Identity & Democracy group because it wants “better relations” with…
Four-month-old corpse found at Ryanair hub in Belgium
The four-month-old corpse of a 54-year-old man has been found at Charleroi airport in Belgium. The man, named locally as Spanish national José A.T.
Bonanza for arms contractors as EU embraces ‘war economy mode’
The EU’s March pledge to provide one million artillery shells to Ukraine now has €500 million of EU funds behind it thanks to new legislation as of May 3.
Turkish elections causing violence across Europe
The elections in Turkey are turning out to be very contentious and are leading to tense situations.
Reject asylum claims of rioting migrants, Flemish party urges government
Tom Van Grieken, the leader of the Flemish nationalist party Vlaams Belang, has demanded that asylum seekers who start riots have their asylum claims rejected by…
EU ‘will not compromise’ on Taiwan
Josep Borrell, the European Commission’s foreign affairs and security policy chief, has publicly stated that the EU “will not compromise” on its support for…
Pope urges EU to embrace peace and avoid following a ‘baneful path’ during visit to Hungary
Pope Francis called for building a Europe “centred on the human person” and warned of not following a “baneful path” during his three-day visit to Hungary…
China, Russia and Iran lecture France on human rights
There were surreal scenes at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Drug shortages in EU cause for great concern
More and more, European countries are running out of medicines. Common medications like antibiotics or painkillers for children are in short supply.
China steps in to ease tensions after ambassador’s Soviet bloc remarks spark outrage
Carl Deconinck, April 24
Mayday-Mayday: Labour day turns violent in France
Labour Day in France was disrupted by protests against the controversial pension reforms pushed through by the Élysée Palace.
Belgian minister denies prisoner swap with Iran
Carl Deconinck, April 26 The Belgian minister of justice has denied press reports of a possible prisoner swap with Iran.
Will the EU’s agreement with Tunisia stem the flow of migrant crossings and save lives?
The European Commission and Tunisia have reached agreement for a partnership to control illegal immigration.