European Union

On Monday the majority of the members of the German parliament withdrew its confidence in Chancellor Olaf Scholz, officially clearing the way for new elections on 23 February. Scholz will be running again as the top candidate of the SPD, but the leader of the opposition Friedrich Merz (CDU) is ahead in the polls. Europe's press takes stock.

After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the gates of Syria's prisons and torture chambers have been opened and mass graves all over Syria discovered. At Saydnaya Prison, where tens of thousands of people have disappeared or been tortured and killed, the vicious cruelty of the regime has been revealed. Commentators discuss the next steps after these discoveries.

Cyclone Chido has wreaked havoc in the French overseas department of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. The cyclone swept across the archipelago bringing gusts of up to 240 kilometres per hour. A large proportion of the island's population live in huts with corrugated iron roofs, a factor which it is feared will push up the death toll. Things cannot go on like this, commentators agree.

Romania's Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the country's presidential election which the far-right candidate Călin Georgescu had won on the grounds that it was manipulated. The rerun will take place in the new year. Nicușor Dan, mayor of Bucharest, has announced his candidacy. The national press discusses Dan's chances as an independent and the way he is exploiting this status.

The French president confirmed that all emergency measures were being implemented, and announced a national mourning would be held.

The post Macron to head to cyclone-struck Mayotte, miss EU Council meeting appeared first on Euractiv.

On Wednesday morning, the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili delivered a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

On Wednesday morning, the President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili delivered a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Labour gaps are especially acute in STEM sectors as well as in construction, transport, healthcare, and education, the Commission said.

The post Europe faces worrying skills shortages, says EU Commission appeared first on Euractiv.

The non-ferrous metals industry is the backbone of Europe’s energy and digital transitions and the engine of Europe’s increased resilience. However, immediate actions and support are necessary to ensure it can thrive through soaring energy prices and fierce global competition.

The post Tackling Europe’s Industrial Competitiveness Challenge appeared first on Euractiv.