Poland's EU presidency under review: efficient but cautious
Key deliverables included the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), East Shield funding eligibility, three rounds of Russia sanctions and progress on Montenegro's EU accession.
Ursula von der Leyen
A collection of 28 posts
Bulgaria greenlight to join eurozone gets mixed response
For Brussels, the expansion marks a rare moment of momentum in a largely bottlenecked EU enlargement agenda. French broadcaster RTL called the confirmation a “small but clear victory” for Europe in the battle for influence in the Balkans, noting Bulgaria’s long-standing historic ties with Moscow.
Poland's Orlen ends Russian oil imports to Czech refinery
EC President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Russia has repeatedly attempted to blackmail us by weaponising its energy supplies. We have taken clear steps to turn off the tap and end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe for good."
Dan wins Romanian presidency, calming EU fears over ultranationalist Simion
Independent pro-EU candidate Nicusor Dan won Romania’s presidential election on Sunday, 18 May, defeating far-right challenger George Simion in a runoff vote. The result represents a holding of the political centre after months of polarised campaigning, easing tensions in Brussels and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Dan secured 53.
Bosnia's EU accession requires pro-EU coalition - high representative
The EU can formally begin accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) when a stable and pro-European coalition has been formed, according to Christian Schmidt, the international high representative overseeing the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Dayton accords were signed in 1995 and ended the Bosnian War. The
Europe’s trilemma: rearmament, green transition, competitiveness
European leaders met in Brussels on 20 March to confront a mounting policy dilemma: how to balance rearmament, the green transition, and economic competitiveness. The discussions come amid slowing growth, high energy costs, and growing strategic insecurity — all while EU fiscal rules remain in place. At the heart of the
Moldova pivots to EU in presidential vote
Moldovan President Maia Sandu defeated her pro-Russian rival Alexandr Stoianoglo by around 55% to 45% in the presidential second-round vote on Sunday, 3 November. While Stoianoglo was ahead in rural areas, the south, and the breakaway republic of Transnistria, pro-EU Sandu took Chisinau and other cities and was also the
Romania asks EU for top commissioner post, as Poland, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia jostle for position
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has requested that his country’s upcoming European Commissioner focuses on economic policies, following a meeting with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Thursday. “I want a portfolio that is highly relevant, given that we are the sixth largest country
Poland set to receive huge windfall as EU initiates dropping of Article 7 procedure
The EU will close its Article 7 procedure over democratic backsliding against Poland that was initiated in 2017 against the country’s nationalist government led by the former ruling party Law and Justice (PiS), European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, 6 May. The EC could
EU loosens CAP scheme to placate farmers
The EU announced further concessions for the bloc’s agricultural workers, especially for smaller farms, to quell agricultural workers’ protests, on Friday, 15 March. The changes to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidy programme were proposed on Friday evening. The European Commission (EC) said EC President Ursula von
Bosnian accession on EU agenda next week
The EU will recommend that member states open accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), a candidate for membership since 2022, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday, 12 March. Wary of Russian influence, von der Leyen said “We have realised that it is not enough to just wait
EU unveils first ever pan-European defence plan
A new, ground-breaking European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) has been announced by the European Commission (EC). The EC said EDIS “sets a clear, long-term vision to achieve defence industrial readiness in the EU (for) when they are needed and in the quantities that are needed.” The strategy includes new programmes
Poland unlocks over EUR 100bn in EU funds
As of next week Poland can begin to access the around EUR 60bn of previously suspended COVID:19 pandemic and green funding and some EUR 76.5bn from EU cohesion funds, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen announced after meeting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw on
Senior EU politician launches bid to remove Hungary's voting rights
The European Parliament (EP) chief rule of law negotiator Petri Sarvamaa, MEP, published on Tuesday a petition letter calling to suspend Hungary’s voting rights on the European Council, to President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. Since regaining power in 2010, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz
Bulgaria, Romania, partially join Schengen area
After 13 years of knocking on the door, Romania and Bulgaria will join Europe’s Schengen travel zone by March 2024, the European Commission (EC) announced on Monday, 1 January. The Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries struck the agreement to join Schengen by air and sea only after Austria