The EU transport ministers have cleared the way for the trilogue with the general approach to the driving license directive. In the future, a driving ban imposed in a member state for a serious offense will also apply in the member state in which the driver in question obtained their driving license.The provisions on regaining […]
The Christian Democrats are calling on the Commission to withdraw the ban on combustion engines within the first hundred days of the Clean Industrial Deal. The Commission should also help to avert the expected fines for manufacturers for failing to meet the fleet limits in 2025. These demands are listed in a draft EPP position […]
At the request of the EU, the Council of Europe has lowered the protection status of the wolf. Previously, the predator was “strictly protected” (Appendix Two) under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of Wild Fauna and Flora, in the future it will be “protected” (Appendix Three). In addition to human rights, the Council of […]
The Council’s recommendation for outdoor smoking bans was adopted unanimously by the EU health ministers. Only Germany and Greece abstained.In the text, the Commission calls on the member states to better protect citizens from the dangers of passive smoking and vaping outdoors. The member states are to issue bans on beaches, in amusement parks, and […]
A resolution in the European Parliament calling for a ban on smoking and vaping in outdoor areas did not receive a majority. Young people in particular should be protected from the dangers of passive smoking and vaping. The focus was not only on cigarettes but also on new tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and tobacco […]
On Thursday, the Council appointed the new Commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen. The term of office was set from Dec. 1, 2024 to Oct. 31, 2029. The decision was taken by circular resolution after Parliament President Roberta Metsola informed the Council of the election in Parliament by letter on Wednesday.On Wednesday, […]
The second Von der Leyen Commission was elected with 370 out of 688 votes cast. There were 282 votes against and 36 abstentions. The College therefore received 88 more votes than it needed to be confirmed. In 2019, the College had received 401 votes in favor. Without the votes of the ECR (33) and the […]
The majority for the confirmation of the new Commission in Parliament is in place. It is expected that more MEPs will vote for Von der Leyen II than voted for Von der Leyen I five years ago. Back then, the College was confirmed with 401 votes. An absolute majority of the MEPs present is sufficient. […]
In the past, cabinet members of commissioners with security-related portfolios did not have to pass a security check. At the national level, this check has been common practice for a long time. In the Von der Leyen Commission II, this check will now take place for the first time.The national intelligence services are responsible. Applicants […]
The presidential election in Romania will probably be decided in a run-off. According to forecasts after the polls closed, the current Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democrats is ahead. However, he will probably not receive enough votes to win in the first round. The leader of the opposition center-right party, Elena Lasconi, is […]