BRUSSELS — After years of talk about regulating artificial intelligence, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday reiterated that the technology also presents an opportunity. During her special address at the World Economic Future (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the Commission chief painted a remarkably starry-eyed tech future. Artificial intelligence and its “adverse outcomes” … Read more
When EU ambassadors met Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, for lunch in recent days, they had one pressing question: Did she plan to run for reelection? Several national envoys asked the head of the EU executive “politely” about her plans at a lunch hosted by the Commission, according to two … Read more
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
DAVOS, Switzerland — World leaders gathered together in the Swiss Alps this week are nervous that Donald Trump will be even more anti-global if he returns as United States president. And they have good reason to be wary. If polls prove correct, the front-runner for the Republican nomination is set to be crowned winner of the … Read more
Officials privately say they will work with whoever wins the election, and hope for a clear result that leaves no margin for doubt. They have observed what they described as interference and disinformation by Beijing and fear a “too close to call” election could lead parties to blame external factors and destabilise the region. As … Read more
BRUSSELS — One day before South Africa confronted Israel with accusations of genocide at the UN’s top court, Belgium’s outspoken development minister publicly laid out the stark divisions within the EU. Caroline Gennez asked German officials a rhetorical question in an interview with a Belgian weekly: “Do you really want to be on the wrong side … Read more
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
PARIS — In a state ceremony held over Jacques Delors’ coffin on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to “an honest European man” and touched upon more personal aspects of the EU statesman’s life, including his Christian faith and his love of football and “loud jazz.” Placing himself firmly in the mold of the … Read more
BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to get to a deal on new Ukraine aid “as quickly as possible,” she said on Friday. The issue of the €50 billion aid package for Ukraine landed back on her plate at the occasion of the start of the Belgian presidency of the Council … Read more
This isn’t just any new year — 2024 in the political calendar means mega elections in Europe, the U.S., the U.K. and beyond. Our EU Confidential crew predicts how these elections could impact pressing issues around the European Union. Bringing together the collective knowledge of some of POLITICO’s best and brightest reporters — Barbara Moens, … Read more
