EU Commission shrugs off Polish threats on rule-of-law
The EU Commission says Poland still needs to enact judicial reforms in order to unlock €35bn in Covid-19 recovery money, despite threats by Warsaw.
Pressure on EU Commission as report shows rule-of-law retreat
The EU's own report acknowledged positive development in some member states — but particularly criticises Poland and Hungary, along with jibes at Slovenia, Malta, Greece, Ireland and Spain, among others.
EU should freeze all funds to Hungary, says study
A cross-party group of MEPs presented a legal study suggesting the European Commission freeze all EU funds to Hungary, due to ongoing rule-of-law issues.
News in Brief
- Sweden overtakes France as EU's top power exporter
- Italy's far-right star in European charm offensive
- Another migrant tragedy claims 50 lives in Greek waters
- Russia hits area near town with 120 rockets, says Ukraine
- UN expects more ships to get Ukrainian grain out
- Greece to end bailout-era oversight
- Denmark to train Ukrainian soldiers in urban warfare
- Russian helicopter flies into Estonia's airspace
Hungarians rally against Orbán's moves to shore up finances
The tax increase comes when inflation is at a two-decade high at 11.7 percent, the forint is at record lows, and rising energy prices are making matters worse for households.
EU Commission sues Hungary over anti-LGBTI law
The European Commission is taking Hungary to court for laws that discriminate over people's sexual orientation and gender identity.
EU Ombudsman: Missing texts with Pfizer CEO are 'wake-up call'
The EU Ombudsman said missing texts between European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and the boss of Pfizer are a "wake-up call" for all institutions about how they should handle work-related instant messages in the digital era.
Greek PM embroiled in spyware scandal
Greece has become embroiled in a wiretapping scandal that led to the resignation of its intelligence chief as well as the Greek prime minister's top aide.
'We must take back institutions', Orban tells US conservatives
Viktor Orbán delivered the opening address at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Texas, where he was met with a "heroic welcome".
Migrant-rescue ships win greater EU freedoms
Ports in Italy cannot impound NGO migrant-rescue ships on grounds they take on board too many people to be safe, the EU court has ruled.
EU court upholds ban on Russia Today broadcaster
The EU court in Luxembourg has thrown out Russia's challenge against a ban on propaganda outlet Russia Today imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
EU Parliament sued over secrecy on Nazi MEP expenses
The European Parliament is being sued for refusing to show how jailed neo-Nazi and MEP, Ioannis Lagos, spent EU taxpayer money on himself.
Czech presidency to fortify EU embrace of Ukraine
The Czech Republic took over the EU's rotating presidency on Friday (1 July), which will be dominated by the economic and humanitarian outfall of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Israel smeared Palestinian activists, EU admits
The EU has overturned a funding ban on two Palestinian NGOs, effectively debunking an Israeli campaign to smear them as "terrorists".
EU's post-Covid billions flowing into black hole
Member states blame data privacy laws for lack of transparency in the bloc's biggest economic stimulus package.
Kiwis are my slavery — the hellish life of a Sikh labourer in Italy
Thousands of Asian workers are picking fruit in slave-like conditions under Italy's agro-mafia "masters", who send the produce all over Europe.
Hungary's global-tax veto seen as 'blackmail'
In Brussels, both diplomats and MEPs think Hungary is opposing the tax agreement to put pressure on the EU over ongoing rule-of-law conflicts.
Court casts doubt on EU's flight-data regime
The EU court in Luxembourg has struck a blow against Europe's data-collection regime on flight passengers in the name of civil liberties.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Construction workers can check wages and working conditions in 36 countries
- Nordic and Canadian ministers join forces to combat harmful content online
- European Anti-SLAPP Conference 2022
- Nordic ministers write to EU about new food labelling
- Emerging journalists from the Nordics and Canada report the facts of the climate crisis
- EU: new rules on corporate sustainability reporting
Latest News
- Russian coal embargo kicks in, as EU energy bills surge
- Only Western unity can end Iran hostage-diplomacy
- Kosovo PM warns of renewed conflict with Serbia
- EU Commission shrugs off Polish threats on rule-of-law
- EU urged to stop issuing tourist visas to Russians
- Russia puts EU in nuclear-energy paradox
- Almost two-thirds of Europe in danger of drought
- West needs to counter Russia in Africa, but how?
Pegasus spyware makers grilled by MEPs
"We will not continue to work with a customer that is targeting a journalist illegally," Chaim Gelfand, chief compliance officer of NSO Group told MEPs — but shed little light on EU governments' use of its Pegasus spyware.
MEPs want EU Commission to reveal vaccine prices
MEPs in a sometimes agitated hearing on Tuesday with EU transparency commissioner Věra Jourová called on her to reveal Covid-19 vaccine prices.
Czech coalition rocked by scandal on eve of EU presidency
Sleaze affair in Prague will raise questions about the Czech Republic's moral authority to lead a bloc which is more concerned than ever about the rule-of-law in central Europe.
Media watchdogs blast EU funds for Balkans 'mouthpieces'
Media freedom advocates have criticised the European Commission over funding for a joint newsroom of European press agencies.
Anti-Muslim hatred ignored by EU, activists say
The EU has a problem with anti-Muslim hatred and its institutions are doing little to help, some 41 civil society groups have said.
Opinion
Romania — latest EU hotspot in backlash against LGBT rights
Romania isn't the only country portraying lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a threat to children. From Poland and Hungary in EU, to reactionary movements around the world are prohibiting portrayals of LGBT people and families in schools.
MEPs call on EU countries to wait for Poland's rule-of-law reform
MEPs also called on national governments only to approve the recovery plan once Poland has implemented previous rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on scrapping the disciplinary regime for judges, and reinstating sacked judges.
No money to Poland without rule of law, von der Leyen says
"[The commission's] three commitments must be fulfilled before any payment can be made," EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said as criticism of the EU executive mounts for approving Poland's recovery plan.
'Systemic' lack of scrutiny on EU's €723.7bn recovery fund
Researchers from EU-funded environmental organisations warn the portion of the €723.8bn recovery fund money to be spent on climate is being misused and hurts biodiversity and the environment — and the EU lacks monitoring tools to prevent it.
Russian oligarchs spam EU court with sanctions cases
At least 18 cases appear to have been lodged in the EU court in Luxembourg by Russian oligarchs or relatives since the Ukraine war began.
EU approved Poland's recovery fund despite criticism
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel to Warsaw on Thursday to announce the move — which comes after a year-long debate over the release of Covid-19 recovery financing.
Interview
EU prosecutor opened almost 1,000 investigations in first year
The EU's first chief prosecutor's office opened 929 investigations, handed down 28 indictments, secured four convictions and froze €259m in assets — over four times the size of its annual budget — in its first year of operation.
Orbán's new state of emergency under fire
Hungary's premier Viktor Orbán declared a state of emergency due to the war in neighbouring Ukraine hours after pushing a constitutional amendment through parliament, where two-thirds of MPs are controlled by his Fidesz party, allowing his government special powers.
Blacklist to stop fraudsters getting EU funds not working
The European Commission manages a blacklist that aims to prevent fraudsters from accessing EU funds. But it is not being implemented properly, says an EU watchdog.
Opinion
Are Orban's Covid powers now the 'new normal' in Hungary?
As the world continues to seek productive ways to provide assistance to the beleaguered citizens of Ukraine, the Hungarian government is now using the humanitarian crisis to further its own authoritarian ambitions.
Feature
Remembering Falcone: How Italy almost became a narco-state
On the 30th anniversary of the Falcone murder by the Sicilian mafia, Italy remembers how one of the EU's founding members almost became a Mediterranean narco-state.
