Photo by syahmi syahir on Unsplash The EPP Group in the EU parliament says it “firmly rejects any approach that undermines global trade rules or threatens Europe’s key industries.” This comes in llight of the recent announcements by US President Trump on tariffs. The Group is now urging the European Commission to stand firm and…
Parliament
Mixed Response to EU Budget Plans
Photo by Masood Aslami on Unsplash The European Conservatives and Reformists Group says it has reservations about several key elements of the European Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). While acknowledging the need for a more responsive and strategic EU budget, the group is cautioning against a shift that could increase uncertainty…
Key Vote Looms for Rule of Law Report
European Parliament Crackdown on Child Abuse
Anders Vistisen MEP says he supports child protection but defends national legal sovereignty and harsher penalties against child abusers, including medical castration. He was speaking on Wednesday in a key plenary debate on the proposal to combat child abuse across the EU. Vistisen emphasized both his strong support for protecting vulnerable children and his firm…
European Commission’s Ocean Plans
Photo by samsommer on Unsplash The European Commission has unveiled its European Ocean Pact but the package has met with a mixed response. The EU calls it a comprehensive strategy to better protect the ocean, promote a thriving blue economy and support the well-being of people living in coastal areas. The Pact brings together EU ocean…
Concerns Voiced About Passenger Rights
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash MEPs have voiced concern about air passenger rights amid fresh talks on the issue by transport Ministers of EU Member States. The fear, say Euro deputies, is that ministers might potentially agree to water down existing compensation rights. Current rules guarantee reimbursement after a three-hour delay. The EPP Group…
Frontex Should be Deployed in Spain Say MEPs
Photo by Elvira Blumfelde on Unsplash MEPs are urgently calling for Frontex to be deployed in Ceuta and Melilla – Spain’s autonomous cities on the North African coast – to help protect the EU’s southern border. The demand follows a recent fact-finding mission to the area by a group of centre right Euro deputies. EPP…
Hungary Criticised for Strangling Free Speech
MEPs have attacked the failure of EU member states to take action against Hungary over its alleged curbs on freedom pf speech. LGBTQ+ rights have been under attack in Hungary and, at the European Council meeting on the Article 7 procedure, Member States are said to have failed to take any decisions. This has been…
EU-Wide Journalism Award Launched
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash The fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has been launched. It is run the European Parliament and seeks to reward top quality journalism. The idea is to recognise journalists who promote or defend the core principles and values of the European Union. These are said…
New Sanctions on Russia and Belarus
Photo by MDSUMAR28 on Unsplash MEPs in Brussels have backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods. The move, taken in a vote on Thursday, seeks to reduce EU dependency on those imports. The parliamentary plenary has endorsed the EU Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products…