Today in the EU

The EU’s eight flagship projects of common interest to boost defence

The EU is poised to launch a series of ambitious defence initiatives under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to bolster its military capabilities over the next decade. The European Commission has identified eight flagship…

EU ventures to regulate e-commerce’s breakneck growth

The European Union is stepping up its oversight of major online platforms (VLOPs) on multiple fronts. Today Parliament debates reforms to the customs code to protect consumer rights in the digital space, while the European…

Migration concerns take centre stage at European Council summit

EU migration policy is back and here to stay. It will be at the forefront of the European Council summit today (17 October) as tougher measures against irregular immigration have gained momentum. But common goals do not equal…

Has the EU underestimated its relationship with Gulf countries?

EU and Gulf leaders are meeting on Wednesday (16 October) in Brussels in a first-ever summit between the two regions. Co-chaired by outgoing European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin…

The future of the EU budget behind the leak

The long-term EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), may soon see structural reforms. A leaked document from this week hints at the merger of various funds, the introduction of conditionality measures, and…

Orbán’s relations with Brussels at boiling point

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a tense exchange at the Strasbourg plenary on 9 October, after Orbán outlined his country's EU Council Presidency initiatives. Orbán stressed…

European countries change course over their military support to Israel

One year into the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, European countries remain divided over their military support for Israel. Despite international efforts to broker peace, arms exports have continued to play a critical role…

The climate ambitions of the next EU Commission

All eyes are on Teresa Ribera, after President von der Leyen tasked the Spanish politician with steering Europe’s green transition while ensuring its competitiveness. Despite the prestige attached to the role, Ribera sits as one of the few socialists…

Ukraine seeks Western ammunition as Putin threatens NATO-Russia war

NATO’s Military Committee met in Prague on Friday and Saturday to discuss stepping up NATO’s support package for Ukraine, after Russia warned NATO that a strike with Western-made missiles would be considered an act of…

All the President’s Women: the candidates competing for the next EU Commission

As Brussels raises concerns about the next European Commission resembling a ‘men’s club’, President Ursula von der Leyen stands firm on the need for gender balance among the nominees. While nine women have been proposed…

Paris Olympic games amid political turmoil and protests

As Paris buzzes with preparations for today’s opening ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games, there’s palpable excitement in the air. However, Parisians seem to have mixed feelings about hosting the 2024 Olympics, with murmurs of protests adding an element…

Power moves in EU Parliament: Committee claims and chair votes

It’s a busy summer for the European Parliament, with this week seeing the formation of committees and MEPs voting on the committee chairmanship on Tuesday (23 July).  The major political groups in Parliament are already…