Draghi warns of ‘greater’ urgency to fix flagging EU economy after Trump election – POLITICO

Draghi warns of ‘greater’ urgency to fix flagging EU economy after Trump election – POLITICO

On the campaign trail, Trump threatened to slap a universal 10 percent tariff on imported goods. He also threatened to turn off Ukraine aid and to stop supporting NATO countries that do not invest 2 percent of their GDP on defense. EU leaders were gathering for an informal summit in Budapest for talks on Draghi’s … Read more

EU’s top court scraps controversial truck return obligation – POLITICO

EU’s top court scraps controversial truck return obligation – POLITICO

“The Parliament and the Council have not established that they had sufficient information at their disposal when that measure was adopted to enable them to assess its proportionality,” the Court of Justice of the EU found. The truck return obligation was, by far, the most controversial part of the Mobility Package reforms, which introduced new … Read more

War of words between Serbia and Kosovo intensifies as EU talks stall – POLITICO

War of words between Serbia and Kosovo intensifies as EU talks stall – POLITICO

The tit-for-tat followed the Serbian leader’s calls this week for new municipal elections in northern Kosovo to ease tensions that flared in 2023 when the Serbian community largely boycotted the ballot. The local Serbs wanted to express dissatisfaction with Pristina, but the move backfired when ethnic Albanian candidates, representing just over 3 percent of the … Read more

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Europe needs concrete action on connectivity policy – POLITICO

Governments doing the right thing Signs are starting to emerge of policymakers moving in the right direction. Over the past year, there has been growing acceptance of the need to address the challenges facing the sector. Enrico Letta, former Italian prime minister, has called for the completion of the single market for telecoms, and asked … Read more

Brexit Britain creeps back into Brussels’ orbit under Labour – POLITICO

Brexit Britain creeps back into Brussels’ orbit under Labour – POLITICO

“If a company wants to align with EU regulations, it can. It does not need U.K. legislation to do so. The very idea of the legislation is to compel British businesses to comply with foreign legislation which we have no control over.” The long-term effects of the plan could be far-reaching, with sectors ranging from … Read more

As riots rage back home, Keir Starmer is a smash hit with the French – POLITICO

As riots rage back home, Keir Starmer is a smash hit with the French – POLITICO

“It’s day and night. The [conservatives] were tetchy, very closed-minded. But now the guy I have opposite me is well-rounded, more convivial, humorous,” said one outgoing French minister who, like others quoted here, was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. The Elysée Palace declined to comment for this story. While the far-right riots across … 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

Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.  – POLITICO

Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.  – POLITICO

Who wants what? France and Italy are the biggest European powers eying a portfolio that includes one or more of the following: Competition, trade, industry and economic policy, several EU diplomats said, much to the despair of northern, more budget-disciplined EU governments. Ireland and Luxembourg are interested in a financial portfolio, while Spain wants an … Read more

The Tories are gone — and Britain is moving closer to Europe again – POLITICO

The Tories are gone — and Britain is moving closer to Europe again – POLITICO

“I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together, the closer you are with Europe, the more you’re engaged,” Biden said at the start of his first meeting with the new British PM. Downing Street was quick to seize the moment. Summarizing the bilateral summit, a U.K. government spokesperson stressed … Read more

The end of the Brexit dream – POLITICO

The end of the Brexit dream – POLITICO

Bonfire of EU laws A similar dynamic has played out in issues ranging from workers’ rights to environmental protection. Threats to turn the U.K. into an offshore anarcho-capitalist paradise — occasionally used by British negotiators to threaten their EU counterparts — have in practice gone down no better in Bristol or Birmingham than they did … Read more