Is the British government scared of Nigel Farage? – POLITICO

Is the British government scared of Nigel Farage? – POLITICO

“A top priority for them is maintaining the support of ‘Red Wall’ voters, many of whom voted for Brexit, and the party is concerned that any significant deepening of relations could be seen as somehow undoing Brexit.” Ringing in the New Year The nervous caution in London is being noticed in Brussels. After leading a … Read more

European Parliament inches toward commissioner hearings in November  – POLITICO

European Parliament inches toward commissioner hearings in November  – POLITICO

Bernd Lange, the German MEP who heads the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC), “will summarize” Tuesday’s discussion “and bring both proposals to CoP, highlighting a clear majority in CCC for November,” said two parliamentary officials with knowledge of the process, granted anonymity to speak freely.  The only faction pushing for a mid-October start date is … Read more

European Parliament to decide between starting commissioner hearings in October or November – POLITICO

European Parliament to decide between starting commissioner hearings in October or November – POLITICO

The second draft timeline suggests holding the hearings between Nov. 4 and 12, with the MEPs’ vote coming in the final week of November, and the Commission taking office on Dec. 1. On Tuesday, the Conference of Committee Chairs — led by German Social Democrat Bernd Lange — will recommend one of the two options … Read more

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

This article is part of the Brussels Survival Guide. There’s plenty to pay attention to in the new cohort entering the European Parliament — including, of course, the people. See below our guide on key figures across the policy palette. Céline Imart AGRICULTURAL DISRUPTOR European People’s Party, France A cereal farmer from Occitania in France, she … Read more

Deforestation law risks pushing Indonesia toward China – POLITICO

Deforestation law risks pushing Indonesia toward China – POLITICO

According to Chris Humphrey, executive director of the EU-ASEAN Business Council, the EUDR has caused particular anxiety in Indonesia, and while it’s good that the country was discussing issues in a joint task force with the EU, its producers may well take their business elsewhere. “Whether the EU likes it or not, they may sell … Read more

MEP Krah accessed ‘sensitive’ documents, EU Parliament trade committee chair says – POLITICO

MEP Krah accessed ‘sensitive’ documents, EU Parliament trade committee chair says – POLITICO

Lange denied that Krah’s office had retrieved documents with the classification level “restricted” via the trade committee. The “limited/sensitive” classification refers to sensitive content that is not necessarily subject to confidentiality. “Maximilian Krah has never received any EU Restricted documents” in the trade committee, Lange said. But Lange said the full extent of the scandal … Read more

How to ‘Trump proof’ the transatlantic relationship? – POLITICO

How to ‘Trump proof’ the transatlantic relationship? – POLITICO

“It’s been very successful,” said Daniel Mullaney, the former top U.S. negotiator on trade issues with Europe, of the TTC. “We’ve had high-level attention, including at the presidential levels, on all of these issues. That’s kept the momentum going.” The question now is what happens if Trump wins back the White House in November. Even … Read more