European Union

French president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called the so-called Spitzenkandidaten process, whereby the strongest party emerging from EU elections should get the commission presidency, a fiction. "There isn't a European democratic legitimacy so I think we need to escape from this trap," he was quoted by Bloomberg. Macron said leaders might not agree on a name on Thursday, but will have to decide before the new parliament convenes early July.

Leaders of the 28 EU national governments will discuss on Thursday afternoon by when Europe should be 'climate-neutral'. A draft text of the conclusions said the transition to an economy which has net zero greenhouse gas emissions should be done by 2050. Austria has suggested the more vague 'by mid-century', according to a text seen by EUobserver. Some of the poorer eastern EU countries are worried for their economies.

EU competition commissioner and the liberals' frontrunner for the commission presidency, Margrethe Vestager said Thursday she hoped that EU leaders will hear the calls from voters for something new at EU elections when they chose the new EU leadership in Brussels. She added that she was not confident that she will get the commission presidency, Bloomberg reported.

British home secretary Sajid Javid was knocked out of the race to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader and British prime minister on Thursday, leaving three candidates remaining. The three, in a vote by Conservative MPs, were Boris Johnson, environment secretary Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt, foreign secretary. A further round on Thursday will narrow the field to two, who then are voted on by the Conservative party members.

Ireland's prime minister Leo Varadkar told reporters ahead of an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday that he expects an agreement among EU heads of state and government on the 2050 'net zero' emissions target. "I anticipate that there is going to be an agreement," he said. The bulk of EU states support the measure but some, like coal producer Poland, remain wary.

Alper Küçük and Nils Grede provide insight into the use of the EU’s Facility for Refugees in Turkey, which enables much-needed cash transfers to one and a half million vulnerable refugees living in host communities in Turkey.

Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.    “Any further concentration of personal data poses additional risks to the rights and freedoms of individuals.” – European Data Protection...

The heads of S&D and the centrist Renew Europe have told the EPP's lead candidate, Manfred Weber, that there is no majority to support him for the position of president of the Commission, sources have told EURACTIV.com.

Almost five years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down arrest warrants have been issued against three Russians and a Ukrainian accused of murdering 298 people. Moscow rejects the charges. The trial against the four men is slated to begin in March 2020. Commentators say the pressure on the Kremlin must be increased.

The Council of the European Union has postponed its decision on opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania to October following a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg. The EU mustn't go too far with its delaying tactics and the potential accession candidates shouldn't lose heart, commentators advise.

US President Donald Trump has announced at a rally in Orlando that he will run for re-election, kicking off his presidential campaign almost a year and a half ahead of election day in November 2020. Observers assess his chances and give their opinion on whom the Democrats should send into the running.