Following the collapse of the governments in Germany and France – the European Union’s two largest member states – Mario Draghi called for optimism in the face of the power vacuum he now sees.
Viktor Orbán has put pressure on the European Commission with veto threats several times in the past. Last Friday, in a radio interview, he again threatened to veto in a row over frozen funds for Hungary. These will only be released by Brussels when the country implements more reforms to strenghten the rule of law.
Shipbuilder Meyer Werft is a major employer in northern Germany. It was quick to welcome the European Commission’s decision to approve a rescue package involving the German federal government and the state government of Lower Saxony.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that Georgia would not hold EU membership talks until 2028 sparked uproar – both within the country and among EU leaders.
The new European Commission has entered its first week in office for a five-year mandate until 2029. From geopolitical tensions to internal challenges such as economic weakness, declining competitiveness and tackling illegal immigration, the EU executive’s new leadership team will have to navigate a tough road ahead.