EU funds are being siphoned off through corruption, fraud and abuse – from fake jobs to forged invoices. According to the latest report by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the misuse of EU money remains widespread across the 27-nation bloc.
According to the European Commission, which proposed a draft budget in June, the now agreed EU budget for 2025 of almost 200 billion Euro should focus on green and digital change and on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy.
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.
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.
The European Parliament is holding its first plenary session since the European elections in June this week. Newly-formed far-right groups are taking the stage and MEPs from the 27 EU member states are reshaping the 720-member institution for the next five-year legislative term.