Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash MEPs have quizzed the Bulgarian candidate for the Startups, Research and Innovation portfolio in Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission. Ekaterina Zaharieva faced deputies on the the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Tuesday. In her introductory remarks, Commissioner-designate Zaharieva expressed her desire to place Research and Innovation (R&I)…
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The EU’s financial watchdog has warned there is an increasing risk that EU money could be handed out twice for the same action. This is the worrying conclusion of a report published on 22 October by the European Court of Auditors. The Court said that there were unprecedented…
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 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…
The new-look European Commission has been unveiled by its President Ursula von der Leyen. Outlining the new team to MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the German official told deputies that gender balance had been uppermost in her thoughts. The college, as it is formally called, comprises 11 women, 40 per cent of the…
Photo European Parliament Press Service European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented to the European Parliament her proposal for the new European Commission. On Tuesday, speaking in Strasbourg to MEPs, she told MEPs her thoughts on the new line up. The former German defence minister said, “We do not have the…
Photo by zhang kaiyv on Unsplash A senior MEP says the outcome of a high profile court case on Tuesday was a “landmark victory” for the EU. The comments come after Europe’s top court backed the EU crackdown against Apple’s Irish tax deal and Google’s anti-competitive practices in two cases. Apple was told…
