MEPs

Far-right Patriots party picks Vox’s Santiago Abascal as president – POLITICO

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Far-right Patriots party picks Vox’s Santiago Abascal as president – POLITICO

“Under Abascal’s leadership, the party aims to solidify this alternative majority, challenging the traditional coalition behind the [center-right] European People’s Party and the socialist bloc” in the European Parliament, the party said in a statement. “Abascal’s presidency, backed by his strong relationships with other parties and leaders across the Americas, is expected to significantly enhance … Read more

Franziska Brantner elected co-leader of German Greens going into snap elections – POLITICO

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Franziska Brantner elected co-leader of German Greens going into snap elections – POLITICO

Brantner wants to “make Green great again,” she said, adapting the slogan of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whom she has criticized as a threat to global climate policy. Brantner will remain state secretary in the German economy ministry, headed by Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor. He is expected to be nominated as the Green Party’s … Read more

Here’s the timeline for the new European Commission – POLITICO

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Here’s the timeline for the new European Commission – POLITICO

There are two ways the remaining commissioners could pass. Either — as has been the case for most of the commissioners so far — the groups will need to secure a two-thirds majority in each of the committees that grilled the commissioners from Nov. 4-12. Or — if talks on a package deal go nowhere … Read more

What lawmakers should ask the EU’s new tech boss – POLITICO

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What lawmakers should ask the EU’s new tech boss – POLITICO

— Q: Only 8 percent of European companies currently use AI, according to a report published in July. How do you want to reach the target of 75 percent by 2030? — Q: President von der Leyen instructed you to develop a “Cloud and AI development plan” to boost computing power and data storage to … Read more

Várhelyi vows to champion women’s rights as he pursues EU health chief job – POLITICO

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Várhelyi vows to champion women’s rights as he pursues EU health chief job – POLITICO

He came under fire after the hearing especially for his comments about women, including his suggestion that he was “an ally of women” because he lives with his wife and has three daughters. Renew MEP Stine Bosse said she was “wholly unconvinced” that Várhelyi is the “right guardian of women’s rights,” while some MEPs suggested … Read more

Parliament won’t shoot down von der Leyen’s Commission picks  – POLITICO

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Parliament won’t shoot down von der Leyen’s Commission picks  – POLITICO

The Socialists have signaled it is imperative to secure the safe passage of their clutch of commissioners, above all Spain’s pick, Teresa Ribera, who will be in charge of climate and competition policy.  That makes it less likely that they will pick a fight with the center-right EPP, which has claimed the lion’s share of … Read more

EU-Turkish border exposes hell of animal transport – POLITICO

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EU-Turkish border exposes hell of animal transport – POLITICO

“I consider it a top priority to launch the work on the Commission proposal for the animal transport regulation as soon as possible,” she told POLITICO, adding that there’s already “sufficient data to start digging into the proposal, so there is no need to delay the process further with yet another EPRS study.” While the … Read more

Lithuanian election winner rejects PM role – POLITICO

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Lithuanian election winner rejects PM role – POLITICO

Prior to Lithuania’s run-off election on Sunday, Blinkevičiūtė had confirmed she was ready to lead the country’s next government. After the election results came in, however — and again on Monday — she avoided answering the question of whether she still wanted to lead the country. Blinkevičiūtė on Wednesday finally suggested Gintautas Paluckas, a former leader … Read more

Fraud busters investigate EU Parliament’s most powerful group – POLITICO

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Fraud busters investigate EU Parliament’s most powerful group – POLITICO

“The EPP Group prides itself in extending its full cooperation” to legal authorities, a spokesperson for Weber and the EPP groups said in a statement to POLITICO said, adding that no external auditors “currently have any open cases of alleged misuse of funds.” Layered inquiry EPPO is in charge of investigating serious crimes affecting the … Read more

On Sunday, she won Lithuania’s election. Now, she’s not sure she wants the job. – POLITICO

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On Sunday, she won Lithuania’s election. Now, she’s not sure she wants the job. – POLITICO

Local media reported that health problems could be behind the party leader’s decision. Although it there were question marks from the beginning of the Lithuanian election campaign of whether she would take on the role, Blinkevičiūtė confirmed in the run-up Sunday’s run-off election that she would become the prime minister.  However, after the results of … Read more