European Union

The EU's deputy Brexit negotiator, Sabine Weyand, will lead the trade unit in the EU commission from June, meaning she would oversee future trade negotiations with the UK, the US and help steer policy towards China. The 54-year old German has raised her profile significantly as Brexit negotiator since 2016 and was widely credited for being the ultimate expert on trade and other practical aspects of the Brexit divorce deal.

A demonstration plant in Germany that converts wind electricity into hydrogen is probably the most emblematic of a series of pilot projects that could radically transform Europe’s energy landscape in the coming decade.

The division of politicians into liberal pro-Europeans and authoritarian anti-Europeans is overly simplistic and "exaggerates the importance of those who strongly oppose integration", the head of the EU's office in Poland said. EURACTIV Poland’s media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.

According to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), German public prosecutors are not independent when prosecuting cases. As a result, they will no longer be allowed to issue European arrest warrants, which could considerably increase the work of German courts. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The European Commission recommended on Wednesday (29 May) opening accession talks with two Western Balkan countries, Albania and North Macedonia, saying they had “embraced the opportunity and delivered on reforms”. But this will need to be approved by the member states....

The favourite to be the next UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has been ordered to defend himself in court after a district judge ruled that he should answer for his infamous, and oft-disputed, claim that the UK sends £350 million a week to the EU.

Kazakhstan welcomes the EU's new vision for a stronger partnership with Central Asia, particularly as it took into account the country's proposals, its deputy foreign minister told EURACTIV and called the document, due to be adopted next month, "visionary".

The EU heads of state and government have started talks aimed at selecting the next Commission president. A proposal must be put forward by the end of June. While Merkel supports EPP lead candidate Manfred Weber, Macron favours Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager or Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Commentators assess the candidates' chances.

The parties of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) has suffered heavy losses in many countries and the parliamentary group as a whole has lost 34 seats. Only in Spain and Portugal did they take first place - the MEPs of Spain's PSOE will now be the biggest faction within the group. Commentators analyse their success and the failure of their sister parties.

Belgium faces a difficult process of forming following its parliamentary elections. While the Flemish-nationalist N-VA and the far-right Vlaams Belang won in Flanders, the leftist parties took the day in Wallonia. N-VA leader De Wever has insisted that his party must lead the new coalition and threatened to push through a confederation if it doesn't. The press looks to the future with concern.