European Parliament

In Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, AfD Member of the European Parliament Arno Bausemer allegedly attacked a 14-year-old with a baseball bat after the teen vandalized an AfD election poster. The teenager suffered a mild concussion and bruises. The State Criminal Police Office is investigating, and Bausemer faces separate drunk driving allegations the following day. The incident, ahead of the September 6 state election where the AfD polls over 40%, has drawn condemnation from Left Party and Greens leaders calling for his resignation.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 18, 04:15 PM UTC

In late July 2026, up to 60,000 migrants from Morocco and other African nations surged into Spain’s North African exclave of Ceuta, overwhelming border police and causing chaos. Spain deployed military forces, while over 70 deaths were reported. The crisis, fueled by social media rumors and possibly Moroccan diplomatic pressure, triggered an EU emergency meeting and exposed deep divisions over migration policy, with Spain’s open stance facing sharp criticism from other member states.

25 reports · 9 sources · Updated Aug 13, 10:49 AM UTC

The European Commission has signaled it will accept new US tariffs on EU goods over forced labor allegations, provided Washington honors a 15% duty cap agreed under the July 2025 Turnberry deal. A temporary 10% US tariff expires Friday, with a Section 301 probe expected to impose a flat 10% rate. The EU rejects the forced labor claims but prioritizes stability, seeking exemptions for cheese, pasta, olive oil, and LNG machinery. Meanwhile, the EU fined Google €890 million, risking trade tensions.

8 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:55 PM UTC

Philippe Musquar, a French national, has been selected to head the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF) in Brussels, starting September 2026. The appointment, made by secretaries-general of the European Commission, Parliament, and Council, has drawn criticism from several EU member states due to its opaque process and Musquar's perceived closeness to the French conservative Les Républicains party. France, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic abstained from the vote, but their objections were insufficient to block the appointment. The APPF, which oversees European parties' compliance with EU values and financial transparency, has operated largely in the shadows since its creation a decade ago. The outgoing head is also Frenchman Pascal Schonard.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 06:27 PM UTC

Philippe Musquar, a French national, has been selected to head the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF), a little-known EU body that oversees party financing and adherence to EU values. The appointment, decided by secretaries-general of EU institutions, faced criticism for its lack of transparency. France, along with Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, abstained from the validation vote, though this did not block the process. Musquar's closeness to the Les Républicains party and the opaque procedure have caused embarrassment for Paris. The appointment is set to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 06:27 PM UTC

Philippe Musquar, a French national, has been selected to head the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations (APPF) in Brussels, taking over from fellow Frenchman Pascal Schonard in September 2026. The appointment, decided by the secretaries-general of the European Commission, Parliament, and Council, has drawn criticism from several member states due to its opaque nomination process and Musquar's perceived closeness to the French conservative Les Républicains party. France itself abstained from the vote at the last minute, along with Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. Despite these abstentions, the procedure was not blocked, and the appointment will soon be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The APPF, which oversees European parties' compliance with EU values and financial transparency, has operated largely in the shadows since its creation a decade ago.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 06:27 PM UTC

Andrea Pirlo's expected appointment as head coach of the Italian national football team is in jeopardy after his role as global ambassador for Russian betting company Fonbet sparked political backlash. Italian and European politicians, including European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, criticized Pirlo for normalizing the Putin regime amid the Ukraine war. Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina is investigating Pirlo's ties to Fonbet and Russian oligarch Sergey Lomakin, delaying the appointment. Pirlo, currently coaching Dubai United, may terminate his Fonbet contract to salvage the deal.

38 reports · 13 sources · Updated Jul 28, 04:14 AM UTC

On 23 July 2026, the European Central Bank kept its three key interest rates unchanged (deposit rate at 2.25%) amid high uncertainty from the Middle East conflict and volatile energy prices. Inflation fell to 2.8% in June, but the ECB warned the full energy shock impact remains. Economic activity improved modestly in Q2, with unemployment near historic lows at 6.2%. The ECB reiterated a data-dependent approach and called for urgent action on the digital euro and energy transition.

5 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 01:00 PM UTC

This article from The Hindu archives, dated July 23, 1976, reports on the ongoing efforts by the nine Common Market countries to create a uniform European passport. Foreign ministers struggled with contentious issues including the passport's colour (a delicate shade of lilac was favored but disliked by the British), symbols (objected to by France and Germany), cover design, and language. These disputes highlighted the challenges of European unity. Separately, government heads agreed to create the first popularly elected European Parliament, replacing the current appointed body with limited power. To promote unity, 106 young women were hired to distribute leaflets at border crossings extolling Common Market achievements since 1958.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 07:47 PM UTC

A European citizens' initiative called the 'Save Europe Act,' launched in May 2026 by Dutch white supremacist Eva Vlaardingerbroek and Austrian neo-Nazi Martin Sellner, has been formally rejected by the European Commission. The initiative sought to halt non-Western immigration and promote 'remigration'—a far-right euphemism for mass deportation of immigrants, including those with European nationality. EU Commissioner for Social Rights Roxana Mînzatu stated the initiative lacked a legal basis and would constitute discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Despite the rejection, the petition amassed nearly 600,000 signatures, including from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, German far-right politician Björn Höcke, and several far-right MEPs from across Europe. Vlaardingerbroek had staged a publicity stunt outside the European Parliament earlier in July to drum up support.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:06 PM UTC

A European citizens' initiative called the 'Save Europe Act,' launched in May 2026 by Dutch white supremacist Eva Vlaardingerbroek and Austrian neo-Nazi Martin Sellner, has been formally rejected by the European Commission. The initiative sought to halt non-Western immigration and promote 'remigration'—a far-right euphemism for mass deportation of immigrants, including those with European nationality. EU Commissioner for Social Rights Roxana Mînzatu stated the initiative lacked a legal basis and would constitute discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Despite the rejection, the petition amassed nearly 600,000 signatures, including from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, German far-right politician Björn Höcke, and several far-right MEPs from Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Poland. Vlaardingerbroek had staged a publicity stunt outside the European Parliament earlier in July to drum up support.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:06 PM UTC

A European citizen's initiative called the 'Save Europe Act,' launched in late May by Dutch white supremacist Eva Vlaardingerbroek and Austrian neo-Nazi Martin Sellner, has been formally rejected by the European Commission. The initiative sought to halt non-Western immigration and promote 'remigration'—a far-right euphemism for mass deportation of immigrants, including EU citizens. EU Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu stated the initiative lacked a legal basis and would constitute discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Despite the rejection, the petition amassed nearly 600,000 signatures, including from former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, far-right German politician Björn Höcke, and several European Parliament lawmakers from Italy, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Poland. Vlaardingerbroek had staged a publicity stunt outside the European Parliament earlier in July to drum up support.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:06 PM UTC

The European Commission is planning a major overhaul of public procurement rules, proposing that public authorities prioritize goods and services 'Made in Europe' over the cheapest bidder. A draft of the 'Public Procurement Act,' obtained by taz, outlines measures to reject bids with less than 50% European value-added and apply a European preference in strategic sectors like steel, cement, and electric vehicles. The move aims to counter low-cost providers from China and reduce dependence on the US. The Commission also seeks to centralize oversight by replacing three non-binding directives with a single EU regulation, creating a 'digital marketplace' for tenders. This would give Brussels control over a market worth 2.5 trillion euros annually (15% of EU economic output). The proposal has drawn criticism from Green MEP Anna Cavazzini for lacking mandatory climate and social standards, and it faces potential opposition in the Council of Ministers over the shift of power from member states to Brussels.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:27 PM UTC

EU institutions including the European Commission, Parliament, Council, and NATO are increasingly partnering with social media influencers and content creators to communicate with younger audiences who shun traditional news. The European Council launched a year-long program on July 1, 2026, giving selected creators access to summit days and working spaces, with travel and food covered but no financial compensation. Participants are accompanied at all times, barred from core journalistic areas, and cannot ask questions. Critics, including activist Chloé Mikolajczak, call the practice a 'propaganda exercise' due to the lack of critical engagement and transparency in creator selection. Unlike accredited journalists, influencers are not bound by editorial standards or disclosure rules. While countries like France and Germany have tightened influencer disclosure laws, no equivalent EU-level rules exist. The article highlights a fundamental clash between modern public outreach and traditional press ethics.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 09:03 AM UTC

A new study by the Institute of Health Economics, presented in a Euractiv report, finds that Greece's healthcare system treats cancer primarily as a medical episode rather than a life-changing event, leaving women unsupported in their social, economic, and psychological roles. The study applies the WHO Health System Performance Assessment Framework through a gender lens. Key findings include that women often continue caregiving duties while ill, face high out-of-pocket costs for metastatic disease, and lack fertility preservation reimbursement. Younger patients are increasingly affected, and private-sector employees fear job loss. The study calls for integrating psychological support, rehabilitation, and social welfare into cancer care, noting that universal healthcare coverage does not ensure comprehensive post-treatment support.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 06:30 AM UTC

In an interview with WELT, Monika Hohlmeier, a powerful CSU member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, calls for a fundamental shift in Brussels' approach. She criticizes the 'overweight influence of left-green NGO networks' and argues that the EU Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen, has not gone far enough or fast enough in reducing bureaucracy. Hohlmeier advocates for less micromanagement and more trust in the social market economy, citing examples like EU funding rules for electric cars that favor specific models. She also makes a provocative demand regarding Europe's coronavirus aid, though the full details of that demand are not fully elaborated in the provided excerpt. Hohlmeier acknowledges von der Leyen's power-oriented leadership but calls for more respect towards Parliament and real-world circumstances.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:10 AM UTC

In an interview with WELT, Monika Hohlmeier, a powerful CSU member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, criticizes the European Commission's pace of bureaucratic reform under Ursula von der Leyen. Hohlmeier argues that the Commission has regulated too heavily for decades, particularly under the previous left-green influence of Frans Timmermans, and calls for a fundamental shift toward less regulation and more trust in the social market economy. She specifically criticizes micromanagement in areas like tree planting and electric car subsidies, citing a rule that limits EU funding to cars under 4.20 meters, which matches the Renault Mégane E-Tech. Hohlmeier also makes a provocative demand regarding Europe's coronavirus aid, warning that the fraud, abuse, and corruption seen so far are 'just the tip of the iceberg.' She urges Brussels to become more capable of action and less 'dependent and sanctimonious.' The interview highlights tensions between the Commission and Parliament over leadership style and policy direction.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:10 AM UTC

Marine Le Pen faces a Paris Court of Appeal decision on July 7, 2026, that could uphold her five-year ineligibility sentence for embezzling European Parliament funds, barring her from the 2027 presidential race. She stated she cannot campaign while wearing an electronic bracelet. If barred, protégé Jordan Bardella would become the National Rally candidate. Le Pen vows to fight the ruling and has shown unity with Bardella ahead of the verdict.

58 reports · 10 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:19 PM UTC

As Europe enters its summer slowdown, EU leaders are departing Brussels for vacations at hotels and mansions across the continent, with EU Council, Commission, and Parliament activities reduced to a minimum from mid-July through August. The Irish EU presidency will host informal ministerial meetings in Dublin on education, environment, fisheries, defense, and foreign affairs through early September, while EU diplomats continue working group discussions on new Russia and Israel sanctions, though meeting frequency drops from 15 per day in late July to zero in August. The European Parliament closes from 27 July to 21 August, with MEPs traveling on delegations to destinations including the Azores, Beijing, Cairo, La Paz, New York, and Washington DC. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected at his favored Black Sea palace in Sochi due to the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks, highlighting the ongoing security impact of the war on Russian leadership.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:00 AM UTC

As the European Union enters its traditional summer slowdown, EU leaders and officials are departing Brussels for vacations at hotels and mansions across Europe, with EU Council, Commission, and Parliament activities reduced to a minimum from mid-July through August. The Irish EU presidency will host informal ministerial meetings in Dublin on education, environment, fisheries, defense, and foreign affairs through early September, while EU diplomats continue working group meetings on issues including potential new sanctions on Russia and Israel. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected to visit his favored Black Sea palace in Sochi this summer due to the threat from Ukrainian drones, highlighting the ongoing security impact of the war. The European Parliament will close from July 27 to August 21, with MEPs traveling on delegations to destinations including the Azores, Beijing, Cairo, La Paz, New York, and Washington DC.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:00 AM UTC

As summer arrives, European Union institutions are slowing down, with EU Council, Commission, and Parliament reducing activity in Brussels from mid-July. The Irish EU presidency will host informal ministerial meetings in Dublin on education, environment, fisheries, defense, and foreign affairs through early September. EU diplomats continue working group meetings on issues including potential new Russia and Israel sanctions, though meetings taper off to zero in August. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected at his favored Black Sea palace in Sochi due to the threat of Ukrainian drones. The EU Commission will hold no college meetings in August, and the Parliament closes from 27 July to 21 August, with MEPs traveling on delegations to destinations including the Azores, Beijing, Cairo, La Paz, New York, and Washington DC.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:00 AM UTC

Lawmakers in the European Parliament have tabled approximately 3,000 amendments to the EU's new biotech rules, setting the stage for intense political clashes over pharmaceutical funding and incentives. The amendments reflect deep divisions among political groups regarding the regulation of biotechnology, including issues of intellectual property, pricing, and access to medicines. The debate centers on how to balance innovation incentives with public health needs and affordability. The outcome will shape the EU's biotech landscape and pharmaceutical industry for years to come.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 02:04 AM UTC

On the eve of the 2026 World Cup final, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset published an open letter severely criticizing FIFA. Berset condemned FIFA's cooperation with betting institutions, particularly its partnership with ADI Predictstreet, warning that expanding betting to in-game moments opens the door to fraud. He also criticized FIFA's suspension of a ban on player Balogun under political pressure, referencing a call from US President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Berset argued that bending rules undermines match integrity. The letter also noted racist abuse of players by elected officials. Berset called for immediate dialogue to strengthen sports integrity ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The rare public criticism from a partner organization highlights growing concerns over FIFA's governance, money, and power dynamics. Separately, 72 European Parliament members requested an investigation into Infantino's role in the Balogun incident.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 11:01 AM UTC

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset published an open letter on the day of the 2026 World Cup final, accusing FIFA of providing an 'open door to fraud' through its partnership with prediction market company ADI Predictstreet. Berset criticized the decision to suspend a ban on US striker Folarin Balogun after a phone call between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and US President Donald Trump, stating that 'when the rules bend under pressure, every result is open to doubt.' He also condemned racist abuse of players by elected officials and called for a new integrity framework to be established before the 2030 World Cup. The criticism is notable given a 2018 memorandum of understanding between FIFA and the Council of Europe on human rights and good governance. Berset proposed urgent dialogue to strengthen sport integrity, referencing past Council of Europe treaties on fan safety, anti-doping, and match-fixing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 09:00 AM UTC

This analysis from Die Welt examines the controversial passage of the EU's 'chat control' law, which mandates surveillance of all chat platforms. Despite 314 MEPs voting against and only 276 in favor, the law was adopted due to a procedural trick requiring an absolute majority (364 votes) for rejection, with the vote occurring just before summer holidays when many members were absent. The article criticizes this as undemocratic, noting that the executive (EU Commission) effectively passed its own law over the Parliament's opposition. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a state EU app as a condition for platform access, citing child protection. The analysis suggests the law can still be stopped, depending on the actions of a German federal minister.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 01:14 PM UTC

Marginal REVOLUTION blog announces that the author will conduct a conversation with Luis Garicano, a Spanish economist and former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2019 to 2022. Garicano served as vice president of Renew Europe and the ALDE Party. Before politics, he was a professor at IE Business School and LSE. After leaving the European Parliament, he returned to academia as a visiting professor at Columbia Business School and University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and in 2023 became a full professor at LSE's School of Public Policy. He is described as a leading European economic liberal. The post also notes his upcoming book 'Messy Jobs', co-authored with Jim Li and Yanhui Wu, and provides links to his homepage, Google Scholar, and Twitter. The author asks readers for suggested questions to ask Garicano.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 06:17 AM UTC

A study by Swedish researchers exposed Atlantic salmon to cocaine and its main breakdown product, benzoylecgonine, at concentrations found in many waterways. The salmon exposed to benzoylecgonine swam twice as far as those in clean water, indicating behavioral disruption. The article argues this demonstrates how current wastewater treatment fails to remove drug residues, throwing river and marine ecosystems out of balance. It notes that conservative and far-right MEPs recently voted to delay a fourth treatment stage designed to filter chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The piece contextualizes the issue within the history of water pollution in European rivers like the Oder, Elbe, and Rhine, and the ongoing debate over advanced wastewater treatment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:41 PM UTC

The European Commission announced a major overhaul of its Emissions Trading System (ETS) on 17 July 2026. Key changes include requiring international flights arriving in Europe from destinations within 5,000 km to pay for their CO2 emissions starting in 2029, addressing rising aviation emissions and leveling the playing field with subsidized Gulf carriers. Industrial companies will continue receiving free emissions allowances beyond 2030, but 80% will be contingent on publishing a board-approved decarbonisation investment plan, with the remaining 20% released only after investments and emissions reductions are delivered. National governments must now spend 50% of their ETS revenues on decarbonising ETS sectors, up from less than 10% currently. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra framed the reform as balancing ambitious climate action with competitiveness. The ETS has generated €270bn for decarbonisation investments and cut CO2 emissions by 50% since 2005, but remains divisive over sector coverage and pace of reductions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:54 PM UTC

The European Commission announced a major overhaul of its Emissions Trading System (ETS) on 17 July 2026. From 2029, international flights arriving in Europe from destinations within 5,000 km will be required to pay for their CO2 emissions, addressing rising aviation emissions and leveling the playing field with subsidized Gulf carriers. Industrial companies will continue receiving free emissions allowances beyond 2030, but with conditions: 80% of allowances are granted after publishing a board-approved decarbonisation investment plan, and the remaining 20% only after investments and emissions reductions are delivered. National governments will be required to spend 50% of their ETS revenues on decarbonising ETS sectors, up from less than 10% currently. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra framed the reform as balancing ambitious climate action with competitiveness. The ETS has generated €270bn for decarbonisation investments and reduced CO2 emissions by 50% since 2005, but remains politically divisive.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:54 PM UTC

The European Commission announced a major overhaul of its Emissions Trading System (ETS) on 17 July 2026. Key changes include requiring international flights arriving in Europe from destinations within 5,000 km to pay for their CO2 emissions starting in 2029, addressing the aviation sector's rising emissions and competitive imbalances with Gulf carriers. Industrial companies will continue receiving free emissions allowances beyond 2030, but 80% will be contingent on publishing a board-approved decarbonisation investment plan, with the remaining 20% released only after verified investments and emissions reductions. National governments, which currently spend less than 10% of ETS revenues on industrial decarbonisation, will be required to allocate 50% of their ETS revenues to such investments. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra framed the reform as balancing climate action with competitiveness, while Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera emphasized the 'polluter pays' principle. The ETS has generated €270bn for decarbonisation and cut CO2 emissions by 50% since 2005, but remains politically divisive over sector coverage and reduction pace.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:54 PM UTC