EU economy ministers will meet today (November 21) to discuss the future of EU-US trade relations although the prospect of a possible protectionist and pro-tariff Trump administration looks set to make for difficult talks. How will EU economy ministers tackle the challenges of managing trade relations with the US amid escalating geopolitical tensions? How could Donald Trump's proposed trade and monetary policies - such as new tariffs and a shift towards economic protectionism - affect the EU...

The European Parliament is on the brink of finalising the new College of Commissioners after weeks of negotiations, according to a draft seen by Euractiv. Spain’s Teresa Ribera fell under scrutiny after October's devastating Valencia floods, and faced fierce opposition from the Spanish wing of the European People's Party (EPP). The political deadlock threatened not only her nomination as vice-president of the European Commission but also the approval of the whole College. But negotiations...

Today marks 1,000 days since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk region, entered by Ukrainian forces in August, signals a major shift in the conflict. North Korea’s involvement, previously seen in arms supplies and meetings between Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, now includes sending troops to the border. This move provides Russia with added manpower, posing greater challenges for Ukraine’s strained military resources and...

Billionaire Elon Musk’s recent appointment to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to send shockwaves across the Atlantic, testing the EU’s regulatory clout in the digital sphere. The European Union and Musk have clashed repeatedly, especially since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter - now known as X. On 23 December 2023, the European Commission launched an investigation into X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), including content moderation issues....

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s efforts to maintain stability following the collapse of his three-party coalition have come up against fierce opposition and mounting public pressure, sparking a new phase of uncertainty. With a snap election scheduled for 23 February and no-confidence votes looming, the dynamics between party leaders and coalitions are set to shape Germany’s immediate future. To take a closer look at the unfolding political drama and its impact on Europe’s largest economy host Evi...

On Thursday (14 November), the European Parliament will decide the fate of a landmark anti-deforestation law, the EUDR, which aims to break the link between EU imports and global forest loss.  According to the UN, 10 million hectares of forest – an area the size of Portugal – vanish yearly due to unsustainable practices.  Proposed amendments, however, threaten to narrow its scope and delay its rollout, leaving activists worried that a diluted law could fail to tackle deforestation. But who...

Tuesday (12 November) marked the last day of hearings at the European Parliament, yet no conclusions were reached – in a clear indication that all political parties have laid their cards on the table and are now negotiating over who gets what.  Evaluation meetings have been postponed with no timeline set, leaving many unanswered questions: what is happening behind closed doors, and what can we expect from the hearings’ conclusions in the coming days?  To break down what has happened with the...

Delegates from nearly 200 countries are hunkered down for 11 days of intense climate talks at COP29 in Baku, but with prominent leaders noticeably absent, doubts about the summit's potential for progress are looming. Among those who will not be attending are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazil’s Lula da Silva, and China’s Xi Jinping.   Setting robust climate finance targets is high on this year's agenda at a time when the pressure...

Germany’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the first minority government in over 40 years and possible snap elections - a turn of events that has European leaders worried.  The breakdown, caused by long-running disputes over economic policy and budget constraints, culminated late on Wednesday when Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner after failed negotiations.  This marks a significant shift in German and European politics, with...

Once-convicted, twice-impeached Republican firebrand Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the United States, after unprecedented preliminary results in most swing states and some historically blue states confirmed his return to the White House.  With both the Senate and House to be controlled by a Republican majority, the businessman-turned-politician is likely to enjoy an obstacle-free pathway to turn his electoral promises into legislation. But what did Trump guarantee to...

Last night, Americans headed to the polls to shape not only their own future but also that of the rest of the world by voting for the next US president. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump went head-to-head for the US presidency in what is being called the most significant election in decades. The race for the White House is expected to come down to seven key battleground states, and it could take days for officials to count enough votes to declare a winner. So, what happened on election night,...

As the world of politics divides its attention between Brussels’ commissioners' hearings and Washington’s election frenzy, Commissioner-designate for Trade Maroš Šefčovič’s interview matters for both sides of the Atlantic.  If the European Parliament green-lights him, Šefčovič pledges to reshape Europe’s foreign economic strategy against Beijing's “unfair practices” and Washington’s increasing protectionism. “It is time to double down on our efforts to safeguard the playing field," said the...

The European Parliament hearings of Commissioner-designates will start on Monday afternoon (4 November), but unlike in previous hearings, the European People’s Party (EPP) seems to have the upper hand. With 26 nominees lined up for vetting, each committee in the European Parliament will have the opportunity to scrutinise the candidates' expertise and suitability for their roles. While these hearings are intended to assess competence, they are also likely to reflect underlying political...

According to a landmark report by former Finnish president Sauli Niinistö, the EU has much to change to be prepared for future crises. The report’s reality check, as he calls it in one paragraph, spans a wide range of recommendations, from climate change management to intel sharing.  The Nordic politician suggests the EU could benefit from Finland’s history, at a time when the world faces the most conflicts since 1945. Instability calls for widespread responsibilities, and citizens are at the...

Today, the European Commission unveils its 2024 Enlargement Package, a set of documents shaping Brussels' engagement with Eastern Europe. Last year's document introduced unprecedented policies, including a revamped accession process for the Western Balkans and a pathway for Ukraine to join the Union. As Putin's grip on the region tightens, the EU faces growing pressure to strengthen its enlargement policy quickly. How will the EU respond? In this episode, host Giada Santana and policy analyst...

Last weekend's parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked significant controversy amid allegations of electoral manipulation before and during polling day.   Key concerns include supposed vote-buying targeting vulnerable groups, misuse of administrative power, and possible tampering with new electronic voting systems. Accusations suggest the ruling Georgian Dream party used voter intimidation and criminal networks to sway results.  Despite pre-election opinion and exit polls indicating...

With just seven days until the year's most crucial election taking place in the United States, EU political leaders are reluctant to give opinions on future legislation coming from Capital Hill. Given the backdrop of Russian interference, AI-driven disinformation campaigns, and two assassination attempts, the US election campaign may seem like a quagmire for Brussels — a situation best avoided. Is the EU’s strategy of maintaining a low profile a wise approach, and how might this reluctance...

Moldova and Georgia are at a crossroads in their paths toward European integration. Just recently, Moldova held a constitutional referendum where voters expressed their desire to enshrine EU aspirations. The contest turned out to be tighter than expected, with allegations of Russian interference and vote-buying.  Further southeast on the continent, Georgian voters are preparing to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections this Saturday (October 26). The ruling party's close ties to Moscow...

The commissioners-designate have responded to questions posed by the European Parliament in writing, kick-starting the first phase of their hearings in early November (4th to 12th). For most members of the European Parliament, there seems to be a collective sense that this composition represents the best possible outcome, given the competing political forces involved. As a result, most political groups appear content in pushing the selection process forward, avoiding excessive scrutiny, which...

Outsourcing the management of migrants is back on the European Parliament's agenda on Wednesday, with EU groups likely to clash over the viability of return centres similar to the one set up under the Italy-Albania deal. This comes after a Rome court forced the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take back the 16 migrants it had sent to the newly set up detention centre in Albania because of their age, poor health, and unsafe country of origin. While the country has since...

The EU is poised to launch a series of ambitious defence initiatives under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to bolster its military capabilities over the next decade. The European Commission has identified eight flagship projects spanning land, air, maritime, space, and cyber defence, which could be supported by a €500 billion budget. These projects aim to enhance EU-wide security and foster greater cooperation between member states, though crucial details regarding funding and...

The European Union is stepping up its oversight of major online platforms (VLOPs) on multiple fronts. Today Parliament debates reforms to the customs code to protect consumer rights in the digital space, while the European Commission demands answers from Chinese e-commerce giant TEMU.  The company is expected to respond to the Commission's concerns regarding consumer protection. Since its launch in July 2022, TEMU has rapidly established itself as a leading player in the EU e-commerce market,...

The EU will have its first-ever Defence Commissioner, Andris Kubilius, and his agenda is anything but straightforward. He has to unite member states on defence policy amid rising global threats and create a 'true single market for defence' in the EU. In an interview with Euractiv’s Aurélie Pugnet, Kubilius expressed determination to make this work by focusing on joint defence strategies, increased funding, and streamlining production. As defence has traditionally been a national competency,...