Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target
08 May Foreign & Security Policy

Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target

With Spain pledging to spend 2% of its GDP on defence, PM Pedro Sánchez faces scepticism as he stretches the definition of military spending. Around Europe, not everyone is impressed.
by Arno Van Rensbergen
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
07 May EU Institutions
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
07 May Culture & Arts
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
05 May Foreign & Security Policy
EU risks over-reliance on Turkey for defence
‘Everyone fed up with waiting for Godot’ says MEP, as Brexit talks expected to go down to the wire
18 Dec
‘Everyone fed up with waiting for Godot’ says MEP, as Brexit talks expected to go down to the wire
Meanwhile EU negotiator Michel Barnier says there is still a chance of a Brexit deal, ‘but the path to it is very narrow’.
Tamas Deutsch suspended from EPP group following ‘Gestapo’ remarks
18 Dec
Tamas Deutsch suspended from EPP group following ‘Gestapo’ remarks
Punishment stops short of outright expulsion of Hungarian Fidesz party MEP.
MEPs on potential collision course with European Commission and Member States over 'rule of law' clause
18 Dec
MEPs on potential collision course with European Commission and Member States over 'rule of law' clause
European Parliament resolution insists controversial clause should be introduced ‘with immediate effect’.
EU agrees post-Christmas vaccination plan
18 Dec
EU agrees post-Christmas vaccination plan
However, strategy depends on European Medicines Agency giving its approval for BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
Issue 527 | 21 December 2020
18 Dec
Issue 527 | 21 December 2020
European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli graces the cover of this issue. After the Coronavirus pandemic exposed many of the inequalities still besetting the world in the twenty-first century, she tells Deputy Editor Lorna Hutchinson it’s time to double down on justice.
Parliament’s group leaders ready for extraordinary plenary if Brexit deal reached by Sunday
17 Dec
Parliament’s group leaders ready for extraordinary plenary if Brexit deal reached by Sunday
After meeting with EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday, the Conference of Presidents said they stand ready to organise an extraordinary plenary session towards the end of December in the event that an agreement is reached by midnight on Sunday 20 December.
5 Questions with... Nacho Sánchez Amor
17 Dec
5 Questions with... Nacho Sánchez Amor
Nacho Sánchez Amor (ES, S&D) is a member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee
European Commission receives mixed response to Digital Services and Digital Markets acts
16 Dec
European Commission receives mixed response to Digital Services and Digital Markets acts
The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) represent the biggest revision of internet rules in 20 years, with the DSA introducing new rules for tech giants such as Facebook and Google.
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
16 Dec
S&D leader warns it will soon be ‘virtually impossible’ for Parliament to debate and vote on any Brexit deal
Iratxe García Pérez was speaking as Brexit talks continue in Brussels and with the 31 December deadline for the end of the transition period looming on the horizon.
Benefitting from early action
16 Dec
Benefitting from early action
The European Commission and the German Council Presidency have been shown to be prescient in their approach to Coronavirus vaccine procurement; we all stand to benefit soon, believes Peter Liese.
DSA: time for Europe to join the digital revolution
16 Dec
DSA: time for Europe to join the digital revolution
The Digital Services Act is our opportunity to shape the internet for the future that citizens, not companies, seek. We should seize this chance, says Marina Kaljurand.
DSA: an opportunity to retake the online marketplace?
16 Dec
DSA: an opportunity to retake the online marketplace?
The balance of power on internet platforms is too heavily in favour of big technology companies; the DSA should be the opportunity for us to redress the balance, urges Alexandra Geese.
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
15 Dec
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
German EPP deputy Peter Liese took aim at Matt Hancock after his assertion that “because of Brexit” the UK had been able to approve the Pfizer vaccine rather than wait for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to do so.
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer Partner Content
15 Dec
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU. 1.3 million people die from cancer each year. Therefore, the upcoming European Beating Cancer Plan is a historic opportunity to improve public health in Europe, but to be successful the EU must be brave enough to endorse new approaches. Vaping must finally be endorsed to beat cancer, writes World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Transparency is key to widespread vaccination
15 Dec
Transparency is key to widespread vaccination
The pressing need for a vaccine against COVID-19 is understandable, but it is no reason to dispense with the transparency we are entitled to expect when negotiating contracts, says Tilly Metz.
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
14 Dec
Some EU governments undermined fundamental rights during pandemic, study finds
The report, commissioned by Greens MEPs Terry Reintke and Tineke Strik, says that a number of EU governments have “brazenly” used the pandemic as an excuse to curtail rights such as free speech, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
14 Dec
European Commission admits that trade deal with UK may have become ‘less likely’
A spokesman told reporters, “We are at a very late stage. The more time that goes by the less likely it is that we will have a deal in place on the first of January. This is a statement of fact.”
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
14 Dec
Bahrain: a valuable partner for Europe
The Gulf state has undergone major economic and social changes in recent years and can be a strategic partner for Europe in the region, writes Tomáš Zdechovský.
EU agrees tough new 2030 climate targets
11 Dec
EU agrees tough new 2030 climate targets
But new plan to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent over the next decade, criticised for falling short of the scale of emission reduction needed.
DSA: a more sustainable digital single market
11 Dec
DSA: a more sustainable digital single market
The digital environment has changed out of all recognition in recent years; it is now a central part of our daily lives. Let’s ensure current legislation reflects this new reality, writes Alex Agius Saliba.
Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
11 Dec
Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that EU level cooperation is now essential in order to mitigate the differences in Member States’ healthcare strategies, argues Katerina Konecná.
Human rights are key
11 Dec
Human rights are key
Human rights violations of people living with or at risk of HIV, particularly LGBTI persons, continue to have major consequences for the effectiveness of the HIV response, write Marc Angel and Sophie in t’ Veld.
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
11 Dec
EU strikes Compromise agreement with Hungary and Poland over next long term budget
Business groups welcome long-awaited deal, but critics call ‘rule of law’ compromise a ‘capitulation’.
EU institutions reach agreement on new interinstitutional transparency register
11 Dec
EU institutions reach agreement on new interinstitutional transparency register
Senior Polish MEP Danuta Hübner says move marks important step towards a more open and accountable European Union.