Photo by Lukas S on Unsplash MEPs return to their work after the summer break facing a packed agenda in Strasbourg this week. One of the first tasks is the ongoing discussions about the new College of Commissioners. On this, the leader of one of the leading mainstream groups in the parliament says…
Parliament
ECR Group in Parliament Formed
The centre-right European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament has been constituted. Nicola Procaccini (Fratelli d’Italia, Italy) and Joachim Brudziński (PiS, Poland) are the new joint leaders Assita Kanko (N-VA, Belgium), Hermann Tertsch (Vox, Spain), Alexandr Vondra (ODS, Czech Republic) and Charlie Weimers (Sverigedemokraterna, Sweden) are its deputy leaders. Meanwhile, Denis Nesci (Fratelli d’Italia) and Kosma Złotowski (PiS, Poland) have been elected as co-treasurers. …
5 Stars Joins the Left Group
The Left Group in the European Parliament has decided to welcome Movimento 5 Stelle to its ranks. The Left and M5S say they have agreed to join forces with what they call “a reciprocal observer status.” A statement confirming the move said, “We are confident that we will cooperate in a constructive and productive way…
Europe’s Trojan Horse
In recent years, relations between Russia and the European Union have become markedly strained. Against the backdrop of tensions related to the annexation of Crimea, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and interference in electoral processes in a number of Western countries, the Kremlin has been actively developing a strategy to influence and undermine EU unity….
Roberta Metsola to be EP President till 2027
MEPs have broadly supported the re-election of Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola as president of the European Parliament. Some 562 deputies backed her and Metsola’s new term will run until 2027. She was one of two candidates and received an absolute majority of votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot. The MEP will continue…
Uniting Democratic Forces in Europe
Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need for continuous EU support for Ukraine has again come under the spotlight for MEPs. The topic was debated by the European Parliament. S&D leader Iratxe García reaffirmed the EU’s “full support for Ukraine, denounced Russia’s violation of international law and the UN Charter, and…
European Parliament Committee Leaders
Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash The European parliament has voted on the leadership of two of its most important committees. MEPs decided on who will steer the two committees – Internal Market and Consumer Protection and committee on Budgets – for the next few years. The two committees are among the most influential in the assembly and…
As Long As It Takes
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash With Russia’s war against Ukraine raging on, MEPs have reconfirmed their view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv “for as long as it takes until victory.” A new resolution sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s “war of aggression” against Ukraine. It restates the continued support…
Ursula von der Leyen Re-elected President
In what some have called a “pivotal moment” for the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission. With 401 votes in favour, von der Leyen (VDL) will serve once more as the head of the EU’s executive. She was re-elected by MEPs in Strasbourg a secret ballot on…
Election of Commission President
MEPs will vote today to decide if Ursula von der Leyen serves another term as EC president. The former German defence minister has served as head of the Commission since 2019. The result of the keenly awaited vote by MEPs will be known later today. She faces competition from other candidates, including ECR Co-Chairman Nicola…