To fulfill that aim, the EU agreed to give Kyiv €50 billion. As an extra concession to Orbán, the latest version of the draft European Council conclusions, seen by POLITICO, states that “if needed, in two years the European Council will invite the Commission to make a proposal for review in the context of the … Read more
This includes issues in the awarding of public contracts, restrictions on academic freedoms, a “child protection law” widely viewed as homophobic and the treatment of asylum seekers. The row over the so-called child protection law has turned into legal action, as 15 member countries and the European Parliament have joined a lawsuit brought by the Commission … Read more
“My choice has given rise to intense media attention and speculation. I had foreseen some of it, given the unprecedented — some would say bold — nature of my approach,” Michel said in his statement on Facebook, referring to his announcement that he was running in the EU election. But, he added, “I don’t want … Read more
“Farmers’ anger has become a major issue for the far right across Europe,” said Kevin Cunningham, a political scientist who has studied the surge in support for the far right for the European Council on Foreign Relations. “It may not be the number one issue, it is surprisingly effective at crystalizing resentment over economic problems.” … Read more
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the last remaining holdout in Sweden’s bid to join NATO, now says he supports its application and vows that Hungary’s parliament will say yes “at the first possible opportunity.” Orbán’s remark, made during a call today with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, comes a day after he asked his Swedish counterpart … Read more
The Turkish parliament on Tuesday ratified Sweden’s bid to join NATO, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan now expected to sign the accession. Turkey’s move, which follows 20 months of diplomatic bargaining with Stockholm and Washington, leaves Hungary as the final NATO country still to proceed with Sweden’s bid to join the 31-member military alliance. The … Read more
If you want to join NATO, come and talk to me — that’s Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s latest message to his Swedish counterpart. “Today I sent an invitation letter to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson … for a visit to Hungary to negotiate on Sweden’s NATO accession,” Orbán tweeted today. Orbán’s remarks come amid growing … Read more
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday the only way to end Russia’s war against Ukraine is for Kyiv to give up some of its territory to the invaders, and reiterated his opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine. “There has to be some kind of compromise,” Fico told Slovak public broadcaster RTVS on Saturday, … Read more
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
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
