European Union

When fighters of the Wagner mercenary organisation advanced towards Moscow on the weekend, Vladimir Putin spoke of treason and threatened harsh punishment. A few hours later the mutiny was called off and Putin guaranteed Prigozhin and his soldiers impunity. Commentators discuss what this back and forth means for the future of Wagner and the Russian army.

Sweden's government is considering abolishing supplementary child benefits for large families. Currently the state pays 1,250 kronor - or roughly 105 euros - per month for the first child. The amount then gradually increases, so that a family with seven children receives around 172 euros per child. Statistics show that the system mainly benefits immigrant families. The press welcomes the initiative in the name of equality and integration.

Bulgaria's BNT, Hungary's MTVA, Poland's TVP and Polskie Radio, and Serbia's RTS, all serve as mouthpieces of their country's governing administrations. The only exceptions in the region are public radio and television in the Czech Republic and LRT in Lithuania.

Germany’s Green agriculture minister Cem Özdemir has warned against a 'polarisation' of debates around agriculture and climate policy while criticising attempts to torpedo green legislation at the EU level.

The Dutch government on Friday (30 June) announced new rules restricting exports of certain advanced semiconductor equipment, a move that comes amid US pressure on its allies to curb sales of high-tech components to China.

Bulgaria is the poorest country with the lowest wages in the EU, but surprisingly it turns out that the Bulgarian economy is doing better than more developed member states by managing to create quality jobs.

Adaptation is a key part of restoring Europe's forests and improving their resilience to climate change-related risks such as pests and wildfires, forestry expert Bernhard Wolfslehner told EURACTIV in an interview.

Gas shortage anxiety prompted Germany to go on a buying spree last year in order to fill storage facilities for the winter, leaving consumers to pick up a bill now estimated at around €7 billion.

Survivors of a boat disaster that killed hundreds of migrants near Greece have given accounts of traffickers in North Africa cramming them into a clapped-out fishing trawler. They recounted hellish conditions above and below deck, with no food or water.

Online prices for merchandise bearing the insignia of Russia's Wagner group - a human skull against a black and red backdrop - have shot up since its abortive armed mutiny, with buyers posting five-star reviews and support for the mercenaries.

In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Dutch farmers‘ protests being overshadowed by the leak of lawmakers’ phone numbers, Polish raspberry farmers appealing to stop imports from Ukraine, and so much more.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government would appeal to the UK's top court after its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was deemed unlawful, a major blow to his pledge to stop asylum seekers arriving.

The sudden resignation of former prime minister Alexis Tsipras from the leftist Syriza party leadership following a heavy electoral defeat has opened a Pandora’s Box as who will now take over his position is a difficult question to answer.

As Moldova prepares for intensive negotiations as a part of its path towards EU membership, expected to be started by the end of 2023, a lack of qualified experts capable of leading the talks is causing Chisinau headaches. Analysts warn...

Andrea Renda, a senior research fellow at the think tank CEPS, has worked on the EU’s AI Act since its conception, advised EU policymakers during the negotiations and is currently part of the discussions on the AI Code of Conduct...

While introducing a 'social pillar' as part of the EU’s reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was a step in the right direction, the new instrument leaves out those sectors where violations of workers’ rights are most rampant, according to a Commission official.