Photo by Jorgen Hendriksen on Unsplash German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed with MEPs his views on Europe’s challenges and the bloc’s future. The debate took place today on 9th May, which is Europe Day. Before the start of the debate in Strasbourg, parliament’s President Roberta Metsola made a statement to mark Europe Day. Later President Metsola and Chancellor…
Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash The European Parliament has been accused of “missing an opportunity” to acknowledge the need to include plant-based milks in the EU scheme subsidising school meals. In their vote ahead of the expected EU proposal, awaited for the end of the year, deputies were accused of “showing once again very low ambition to allow…
Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash MEPs are due to vote in favour of the final report of an inquiry committee on Pegasus and similar spyware (PEGA), calling for the EU regulation that stops the abuse of spyware by member states. They say that spying on political opponents, journalists or lawyers is illegal and against fundamental EU values. When…
Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash The International Trade Committee in the European parliament has given its green light on for another one-year suspension of EU import duties on Ukrainian exports to support the country’s economy. Members of the International Trade Committee approved a proposal to renew the suspension of import duties, anti-dumping duties and safeguards on Ukrainian…
EU political elites “advancing” Gazprom’s agenda and Hungary’s “susceptibility” to Russian intelligence activities are among several examples named in a new report which has been drafted by MEPs. The EU needs a coordinated strategy against foreign interference and information manipulation (FIMI), including measures to enforce better existing provisions to fight it, say MEPs in the…
Photo by Aaron Lau on Unsplash The EU has been told it “must not shrink from taking a clear united and strong stance” against China. The demand was made by senior German MEP Reinhard Bütikofer, Foreign Policy Coordinator of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. He was commenting on the EU’s China policy which is on the…
Photo by Yukon Haughton on Unsplash A former senior British MEP says he fears the world is “drifting” towards another war. The gloomy assessment by Richard Balfe, now a life peer in the UK, comes amid mounting tensions in various parts of the world. As well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, recent weeks have seen increased tension…
Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash MEPs in Strasbourg have discussed the need for what they call a “coherent strategy” towards China. The call comes against the backdrop of China’s continued rise as a political and economic powerhouse on the world stage. Speaking to the plenary this week, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed the need…
Photo by Jorgen Hendriksen on Unsplash The members of the ECR in the European Parliament have decided to accept the application for membership of the Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset) and to admit them to its ranks. The new delegation will be made up of Teuvo Hakkarainen and Pirkko Ruohonen-Lerner, who will join the European Parliament in the coming weeks,…
