The inflation in Europe is easing slightly but banking authorities such as the European Central Bank and the European Banking Authority remain cautious. Consumers across the continent need to fork out more money for services and goods.
The European Parliament is currently scheduled to vote on the appointment of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term on July 18. At a summit in Brussels last week, EU leaders reached a final agreement on the three top EU posts – but negotiations ran into opposition from Italy and Hungary.
War-torn Ukraine and neighbouring Moldova are now officially in accession talks with the European Union. Both countries were granted EU candidate status in 2022. The landmark move has been hailed as historic and is the start of a complex process that could take years.
On Monday, Hungary takes over the rotating EU Council presidency from Belgium. Watched closely by many, the country aims to “Make Europe Great Again” and plans to focus on EU enlargement, defence and competitiveness. Ukraine might face six tougher months in the EU realm.
Despite expectations for Monday’s informal summit, EU leaders did not seal the deal on who will take over the bloc’s top jobs after the European elections. Three names are on the table: Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas. Will they cross the finish line when leaders meet again next week?
As the summer season approaches, tourists will soon be flocking to Europe’s popular hotspots. Recent data shows that the tourism industry stabilised itself after a sharp decline during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the negative side, mass tourism and overcrowding continue to put pressure on local societies.