EU Parliament calls to strip Hungary of voting rights in rule-of-law clash – POLITICO

STRASBOURG — MEPs demanded the EU Council explore the possibility of stripping Hungary of its EU voting rights in a clash with Budapest over the rule of law. In a vote Thursday at the European Parliament, a majority of MEPs backed a nonbinding resolution calling on the other 26 EU countries’ governments to use a sub-clause … Read more

Nicolas who? Socialists close in on challenger to take on Ursula von der Leyen – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. Europe’s socialists are on course to pick a relatively unknown European commissioner to take on Ursula von der Leyen at the EU election. Nicolas Schmit, the 70-year-old EU commissioner for jobs and social rights, is the front-runner to become lead candidate (so-called Spitzenkandidat) for … Read more

Viktor Orbán has not asked to join right-wing EU Parliament group, spokesperson says – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has not officially asked to join the right-wing European Parliament group dominated by the Brothers of Italy and Poland’s Law & Justice party, despite having said that he was holding negotiations, according to a spokesperson. At a press conference with international media last month, Orbán indicated that he … Read more

Nicolas Schmit gets German backing to lead Socialists’ EU election campaign – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — With time running out, the only name being touted to lead the Socialists’ campaign for the European Parliament elections in June Luxembourg’s EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit. Schmit is the only politician so far to have publicly declared an interest in the role, which could pit him against his current boss, European Commission President Ursula … Read more

Macron goes all in with high-stakes reshuffle to combat far right – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. PARIS  — French President Emmanuel Macron has propelled rising star Gabriel Attal center stage in a high-risk gamble aimed at stopping the far right’s surge ahead of the European election.   In a surprise move on Tuesday, Macron appointed his former education minister and one … Read more

EU liberal leader rules out right-wing alliance post-EU election – POLITICO

BRUSSELS — The head of European Parliament’s liberals ruled out working with nationalists if European elections deliver a right-wing majority in June. “We should take the control of our destiny and of European policy, and not let the far right in the next six months tell us that all is out of control,” Stéphane Séjourné said, … Read more

French far right calls out ‘cabal’ after new report on Russian interference – POLITICO

PARIS — France’s far-right National Rally says a new report on Russian interference in French democracy is part of a “cabal” against the movement, after a Washington Post investigation revealed Moscow’s efforts to promote “political discord” in France and undermine support for Ukraine through “political figures and social media accounts.” “Let’s be serious, this is … Read more

Forget Paris, what if the EU hosted the Olympics? – POLITICO

Imagine if Brussels was hosting the 2024 Olympics. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it?  But believe it or not, while the EU’s capital might not have the necessary infrastructure to hold the world’s largest sporting showpiece, there are some events that it would be ideally placed to host. We took a look at nine of the best. Kicking … Read more

Top 10 behind-the-paywall stories of 2023 – POLITICO

It’s been a busy year in EU policy land as lawmakers, leaders and officials raced to tie up loose ends before the European Parliament election next June, with some efforts more successful than others. The EU’s green ambitions became the center of a right-wing backlash as the real-life impact of proposed reforms started to bite. … Read more

EU failed to tackle corruption in Parliament, MEPs say – POLITICO

Press play to listen to this article Voiced by artificial intelligence. BRUSSELS — One year into the biggest corruption scandal ever to hit the European Parliament and the Qatargate questions keep coming.  Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday spent an hour discussing the cash-for-influence allegations during a debate in Strasbourg, with many suggesting they’re … Read more