European Union

Aerospace giant Airbus announced on Friday (24 July) that it has made changes to existing aircraft contracts in order to come into line with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling on subsidies. The firm and the EU both insist that it “removes any justification for US tariffs”.

The European Parliament is in recess over the summer holidays from 27 July to 23 August 2020.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Swedish government announced on Thursday (23 July) night train routes that will link the cities of Stockholm and Malmö with Hamburg and Brussels, in the latest indication that sleeper services are on the cusp of a renaissance in Europe.

Poland's opposition party Civic Platform on Thursday said they will be seeking a re-run in an presidential election they lost 49 percent to 51 percent against nationalist incumbent Andrzej Duda. Civic Platform's spokesperson Jan Grabiec claims government electoral wrongdoing, telling Reuters it was "comparable to campaigning in Belarus and Russia." The party petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the election result unfair and to hold a re-run.

Spain reported 971 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday - a record since the lifting of restrictions in May, El País reported. The infection rate has tripled during the last two weeks, and some experts refer to the surge in cases as the beginning of the second wave. Health care workers are calling on the government to strengthen primary health care. The most affected regions are Catalonia and Aragon.

Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov on Thursday replaced his finance minister Vladislav Goranov, economy minister Emil Karanikolov and interior minister Mladen Marinov to appease a wave of anti-corruption protests taking place across Bulgaria, Reuters reported. Borissov's tourism minister is also quitting. Parliament is expected to vote on the nominations on Friday. Thursday marked the fifteenth day of protests, which are calling for the resignation of the whole cabinet.

Croatia's parliament on Thursday voted in a new government under the former prime minister Andrej Plenkovic, head of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). The new coalition government consists of the HDZ, two liberal formations and eight national minority MPs, BalkansInsight reported. When presenting his new cabinet, Plenkovic promised to ensure social security, increase minimum wages and pensions, reduce the number of local officials and increase agricultural production.

Two weeks after president Recep Tayyip Erdogan revoked the status of the Hagia Sophia as a museum, Istanbul's iconic building will host Muslim Friday prayers again. Up to 2,000 worshippers are expected to attend the first Muslim prayers in the landmark since 1934, Deutsche Welle writes. The decision was criticised around the world. Pope Frances said he was "pained" by the decision.

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Thursday that the UK had shown no willingness to break the deadlock on fair competition and fisheries issues during post-Brexit negotiations with the EU, making a new trade agreement "unlikely". After the latest round of negotiations in London, Barnier said there had been no progress on key issues. The UK is set to break off all ongoing ties with the bloc in January.

On Monday (20 July), 416 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Belgium, as the number of infections begins rising again. In the week 14-20 July the weekly average of new infections rose by 89 percent. Prime minister Sophie Wilmès announced on Thursday that phase five of the easing of measures will be postponed. People coming back from travel abroad need to fill in a form.

In the fight against illegal online content, the Austrian government wants to make platforms more accountable. Many details are still missing, but the German NetzDG seems to be a model. Critics fear over-blocking and collateral damage but also see opportunities. EURACTIV Germany reports.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in Prague, 93-year old SS guard facing justice, and so much more.

More than 8,500 migrants were stopped this year while attempting to cross Serbia’s border illegally, while there are around 4,350 migrants currently in reception centres, Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said. After the ministerial video-conference about irregular migration along the...

Croatian PM-designate Andrej Plenković (HDZ, EPP) has presented the programme of his new government during the next parliament session. Opposition parties had briefly united against the ruling group, calling them ‘arrogant’ and ‘irresponsible’ for submitting the programme only half an...

MEPs criticised the EU deal on the budget and recovery package clinched by leaders after five days of gruelling talks, saying it is not enough "future-oriented", and cuts too deeply into EU policies, including health, innovation, defence and humanitarian aid

The editorial staff at Index unanimously asked to reinstate editor-in-chief Szabolcs Dull after he was sacked on Wednesday (22 July) raising fears of deteriorating press freedom in the country. Following the refusal of Bodolai László, chairman of the board of...

German transport minister, Andreas Scheuer, announced that EU member states have agreed on common hygiene standards on planes and airports - as major airlines are calling for a joint coronavirus-testing programme in order to resume trans-Atlantic travel.

Many capitals, experts and politicians see Poland as the 'enfant terrible' of climate negotiations. Everybody asks why? But the answer is darn simple. Money and time.

Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.    “Europe’s digital ambitions cut by bickering member state leaders. Other continents will be delighted that Europe doesn’t strive to...

One month after the four-month long state of alarm came to end, the number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Spain again after the country experienced a downward trend in May and June, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported. Most...