Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán addressed the European Parliament this week, outlining his country’s priorities for its presidency of the EU Council. Met with overwhelming criticism, he argued that political shifts in EU member states indicate that the bloc’s climate might sooner or later shift in his favour.
Key Stories
EU Committee of the Regions: “One in five” Europeans at risk of poverty or social exclusion
As the European Week of Regions and Cities is in full swing, Committee of the Regions President Vasco Alves Cordeiro urges the need to strengthen the EU’s Cohesion Policy – and with it the fight against poverty and social exclusion that many Europeans face every day.
NATO chief Rutte wants EU to remain “unique and essential partner” amid rocky times
Former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has become the new Secretary General of NATO. With Russia’s war against Ukraine raging on and Donald Trump’s possible return to the US White House, Rutte faces a tough balancing act between the military alliance’s 32 members and other international partners such as the European Union.
European car industry in crisis: Falling sales and competition from China
Slowing the production of cars with internal combustion engines down and at the same time drive the production of cars with electric engines forward – these are the goals set by the European Union and its member states. Despite subsidies for EVs introduced in some countries, sales of electric cars are crashing and the European car market is plunging into crisis.
Tough stances on migration, new border checks: Schengen, are you OK?
With Germany ramping up border controls earlier this month and other EU countries contemplating stricter migration rules, the Schengen zone of free movement – and no internal border checks – seems to be crumbling.
EU chief reaffirms support for Ukraine amid energy supply fears ahead of winter
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen embarked on her eighth trip to Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ahead of winter, she presented a proposal for the EU’s share of a G7 loan, as well as fresh money for the country’s energy security.
Europe’s next chapter: Von der Leyen’s Commission team unveiled for new term
Ursula von der Leyen presented her candidates for the future EU Commission. Many women are in top jobs, but she did not meet her gender parity target.
Draghi’s EU competitiveness report: Invest or lose, but can the EU pull it off?
Last week, the long anticipated report of former Italian Prime Minister and former European Central Bank boss Mario Draghi dropped – including some 170 proposals on how to boost the bloc’s competitiveness. What does it entail and what are the reactions?
European schools crack down on mobile phone use over health concerns
Many schools across Europe are introducing bans or restrictions on the use of mobile phones amid concerns about their impact on young people’s mental health. While there are no EU-wide rules to tackle the issue, in July EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also sounded the alarm and vowed to take action.
EU post pandemic recovery fund too slow in reaching member states, auditors find
The European Court of Auditors on Monday released a new report evaluating the performance of the bloc’s major post COVID-19 recovery fund, intended to support member states’ economies to build back better. The verdict: Funds don’t reach countries fast enough, putting its objectives and goals at risk.