European Union

Banco Santander
Freedom of movement for persons
Banco Popular: the rights arising from actions for a declaration of nullity and for damages brought before the resolution of that bank are enforceable against Banco Santander

Austria v Commission
State aid
The Court of Justice annuls the Commission’s decision to approve aid from Hungary for the Paks II nuclear power station

Written by Pieter Baert.

CONTEXT

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed a revision to the Tobacco Taxation Directive, alongside modifications to the general Excise Duty Directive. The aim is to restore the effectiveness of EU-wide minimum tax rates on tobacco products and extend their scope to cover new product types. The initiative aims to support the EU’s goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, recognising taxation as a key tool in reducing tobacco use.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

2025/580 (CNS) – Proposal for a Council Directive on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products (recast) – COM(2025) 580, 16.07.2025

2025/0581(CNS) – Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive (EU) 2020/262 as regards the general arrangements for excise duty in respect of tobacco and tobacco related products – COM(2025) 581, 16.07.2025

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule:

• 2025/0581(CNS)
• 2025/580(CNS)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Thursday 11 September

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Thursday 11 September

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Opinion on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections
Committee on Security and Defence
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Opinion on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Michael Gahler

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

MEPs want a bigger stand-alone post-2027 agriculture budget, with less red tape for farmers and incentives to achieve environmental and social objectives.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

MEPs want a bigger stand-alone post-2027 agriculture budget, with less red tape for farmers and incentives to achieve environmental and social objectives.
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Wednesday, Parliament has given its final green light to changes in EU cohesion and social funding in response to new challenges and EU priorities.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Wednesday, Parliament has given its final green light to changes in EU cohesion and social funding in response to new challenges and EU priorities.
Committee on Regional Development

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work since the beginning of its new mandate and its upcoming plans.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work since the beginning of its new mandate and its upcoming plans.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The changes to the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) are part of simplification efforts to reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and occasional importers.
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The changes to the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) are part of simplification efforts to reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and occasional importers.
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

AMENDMENTS 1 - 172 - Draft report Addressing impunity through EU sanctions, including the EU Global Human Rights sanctions regime (so called “EU Magnitsky Act”)
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Antonio López-Istúriz White

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Positive Group v Council
Common foreign and security policy
War in Ukraine: the General Court upholds the restrictive measures against Positive Group PAO, an entity operating in the Russian IT sector with a license issued by Russia’s domestic intelligence services

Meta Platforms Ireland v Commission
Approximation of laws
Digital Services Act: the General Court annuls the Commission’s decisions setting the supervisory fee applicable to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Austria v Commission
Austria’s action against the inclusion of nuclear energy and fossil gas in the sustainable investment scheme dismissed