European Union

Top skier Lindsey Vonn has crashed and suffered a serious injury in the women's downhill event at the Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old American decided to compete in Cortina d'Ampezzo despite a torn cruciate ligament and a partial prosthesis in her knee. Commentators discuss whether the criticism this decision triggered was justified.

Tuesday 10 February

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Tuesday 10 February

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Written by Annastiina Papunen.

Enhancing the EU’s competitiveness is a key priority for the European Council in the current legislative cycle. In a complex geopolitical environment, in which the international rules-based order is increasingly undermined and core alliances are questioned, it is essential for Europe to be able to stand firmly on its own feet. Strengthening the single market and the EU economic base is ‘an urgent strategic imperative’ in the words of European Council President António Costa, to improve the EU’s competitiveness and develop its strategic autonomy.

On 12 February 2026, EU leaders will meet for an informal leaders’ retreat – ‘a strategic brainstorming session’, according to President Costa – in Alden Biesen, Belgium, to discuss EU competitiveness. This meeting, which 19 EU leaders requested in a letter in October 2025, builds on previous discussions on the topic, notably 1) the informal meeting of 22 January 2026 on transatlantic relations and trade, 2) the strategic discussion on geoeconomy and competitiveness at the December 2025 European Council meeting, and 3) the October 2025 regular meeting on simplification and twin transition. Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta have been invited to join the retreat to share their visions and highlight developments since their groundbreaking reports. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will also address the meeting; President Costa has met Parliament’s Conference of Presidents ahead of the retreat. No formal conclusions are expected from the strategic debate, but the reflections are likely to feed into the March 2026 European Council conclusions.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Outlook for the 12 February 2026 retreat: Work on competitiveness in the European Council‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Imagine it is 2099 and a historic treaty to return African artefacts is falling apart.

On Monday, the Housing Committee adopted its final recommendations on the housing crisis in the EU, proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing.
Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On Monday, the Housing Committee adopted its final recommendations on the housing crisis in the EU, proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing.
Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Information about accreditation requirements for the one-year badge (2026)

The European Council will take place on 19 and 20 March 2026 in the Europa building in Brussels.

President Metsola on opening the February plenary session: announcement of extraordinary plenary session, votes on Ukraine Facility and Support Loan.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

President Metsola on opening the February plenary session: announcement of extraordinary plenary session, votes on Ukraine Facility and Support Loan.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP