An expert on European Union affairs says Hungary’s EU presidency programme has “little weight.” Zsuzsanna Vegh, an expert on the politics of Central and Eastern Europe and programme officer at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said that, instead, it highlights the extent to which the prime minister and his European allies are…
Photo by Kuzzat Altay on Unsplash MEPs in Strasbourg have adopted three resolutions on alleged human rights violations in three countries: Türkiye, China and Iraq. They voiced “deep concern” about the ongoing “deterioration of democratic standards” in Türkiye, and the targeting of independent journalists, activists and opposition members. The sentence against Bülent Mumay…
Photo by Timothy Hales Bennett on Unsplash A top economist has returned to Brussels to take up a new post. Andrew Watt has officially taken up his new post as General Director of European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). Watt is an advisor to numerous bodies including the European Commission and the European Economic…
The EU has voiced fresh concern about what it says is Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid activities against the EU, its Member States and partners. The warning comes on the same day that the head of MI5 in the UK warned the UK faces the most complex and interconnected threat it has ever seen. Its…
Photo by kazuend on Unsplash The European Commission’s decision to delay introducing a key new law has met with a drastically different response. It comes after the EC announced a postponement of the implementation of the EU regulation to combat deforestation by 12 months. The regulation, which lays down due diligence obligations for companies importing…
MEPs have agreed on the calendar for the hearings of the EU commissioners-designate. The hearings will start on 4 November and take place until 12 November. The Conference of Presidents also decided on a division of duties among committees for the confirmation hearings. The detailed schedule of which Commissioner-designate will be heard and at what time…
The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said after their meeting this week that they have agreed on the importance of the unique relationship between the European Union and Britain. They said that in line with our shared values they wanted to strengthen ambitiously…
Photo by Fabian Kleiser on Unsplash The new EU Commission will include a Commissioner dedicated to Animal Welfare. The move was “very positively” welcomed by animal protection NGOs. They say it will allow for “better prioritisation of the topic, in line with the demands of EU citizens.” Animal welfare will be included in…
Photo by Tomas Eidsvold on Unsplash EU council president Charles has called for reform of the United Nations. He said the UN Security Council must be reformed “to make it more inclusive, more legitimate, and more effective.” In a speech to the UN he said, “Back in 1945, the world wanted peace at…
Photo by Karan Suthar on Unsplash The Commission is seeking feedback from the public on draft new rules for low carbon hydrogen. It has launched a public consultation on a draft delegated act clarifying EU rules for defining low-carbon hydrogen and derived fuels under the decarbonised gases and hydrogen package. It says this is “another important…
