Since Donald Trump returned to power in the US, center-left parties around the world have achieved some spectacular successes: For example, the Liberals’ spectacular comeback in the Canadian parliamentary election in April and the almost equally surprising electoral success of the Australian Labor Party at the beginning of May. Put off by Trump’s administration, voters […]
Five MEPs could lose their immunity due to suspected corruption in connection with the Chinese company Huawei. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at the mini-plenary that she had received the request from the competent authorities in Belgium to waive parliamentary immunity – i.e., the protection of MEPs from prosecution. The motion will now be referred […]
The Commission is putting the reduction of unnecessary bureaucracy at the top of its internal market strategy. The communication adopted by the College now lists “overly complex EU rules” as the first of the “terrible ten” obstacles to the single market. In the draft that was initially circulated, the “overly complex EU rules” were still […]
Following the blocking of the cross-institutional ethics authority in Parliament’s Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO), the EPP has announced a proposal for a new internal disciplinary body. Sven Simon (CDU): “The EPP will shortly present a proposal to reform internal procedures in cases of misconduct.” According to the head of AFCO, he hopes that a majority […]
The Constitutional Affairs Committee (AFCO) of the EU Parliament is blocking the participation of the European Parliament in a cross-institutional ethics authority. In the committee, 17 members of the EPP and far-right political groups voted against the report by Sven Simon (CDU). 13 members voted in favor. The report proposed amending the European Parliament’s Rules […]
During his inaugural visit to Brussels, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted on a clear course correction by the EU Commission. Following talks with Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Merz called for the abolition of the EU’s Supply Chain Directive: “We will repeal the national law in Germany, and I […]
Ukraine and Hungary each announced the expulsion of two diplomats on Friday after accusing each other of espionage. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the measure on X after the Kyiv Security Service (SBU) said it had uncovered a spy network operated by the Hungarian state to obtain information on its defense.Hungary reacted. Hungarian Foreign […]
International monetary and financial systems may not be immutable, but nor do they change often. That is why the upheaval spurred by US President Donald Trump’s trade and tariff war is so remarkable – and difficult to decipher. To figure out what is going on, it is worth revisiting Charles P. Kindleberger’s theory of hegemonic […]
Environmental data in the Arctic: Two new instruments provide environmental data. Further informationReal estate loans: An ECB publication on interest rates on real estate loans and household debt risks. To the publicationEuropean Investment Fund: Click here for the 2024 Annual Report of the European Investment FundElectricity prices: In response to a question from MEP Marina […]
The European Parliament has decided on urgent procedures for the Commission’s proposals on the protection status of the wolf and on more flexibility for car manufacturers concerning the 2025 climate targets. This means that the proposals will not first be discussed in the relevant committees, but will be voted on directly in plenary. The votes […]