And while there was significant opposition to the plan among lawmakers last week in Europe’s now more polarized Parliament, the capitals were able to largely align with Brussels’ intention. To some who opposed it in the Parliament, the capitals’ vote is merely symbolic. “I regret the voting outcome in the Health Council regarding the smoke-free … Read more
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
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
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
“Rather than new legislative proposals, we can achieve our objectives by better implementing and enforcing existing legislation while using incentives and new market-based tools to promote change,” Hansen said in reply to a question on whether the EU’s executive would propose the framework next year. Costas Kadis Cyprus’ Costas Kadis, the commissioner candidate for fisheries … Read more
The deadline for putting forward names for the next European Commission is the end of August. With that date approaching fast, and now that Ursula von der Leyen is back from her summer holiday in Germany, here are the nominees so far (remember that all of them, except for von der Leyen herself, need to … Read more
Viktor Orbán will surely have annoyed Ursula von der Leyen with his pick for the next European Commission. The Hungarian prime minister announced Monday that he wants Olivér Várhelyi to return to Brussels. “During the past five years Commissioner Várhelyi has proved that the EU can make a difference as a positive force in its … Read more
The European Commission confirmed receipt of the letter, and told POLITICO that EU foreign ministers would discuss the Israeli reaction at their next meeting on Monday. EU ministers decided last month to convene an Association Council with Israel to discuss its compliance with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in view of the … Read more
