European Union

As Austria and Europe tighten the screws on migration throughout the Austrian EU presidency, they should also assess the ramifications this effort can lead to, writes Pedro-Manuel López.

Italian Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli on Sunday (19 August) called for sanctions against Malta, accusing it of not rescuing migrant boats in the Mediterranean and leaving the burden to Italy, in the latest row between the two countries over the issue.

The co-founder of British clothing brand Superdry has announced he is financially backing a push for a second referendum on Brexit, claiming it is not too late to avert "disaster".

Russian President Vladimir Putin danced arm in arm with Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl at her wedding on Saturday, after receiving an invitation that opposition critics said undermined the West's stance against Moscow.

President Donald Tusk congratulated Marjan Šarec on his appointment as Prime Minister-Designate of the Republic of Slovenia

The EU Commission has received several million responses from citizens, businesses, and organisations on whether to end the daylight summertime savings. Any tangible change would take ... time.

The head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, spoke to EURACTIV Germany’s media partner “Der Tagesspiegel” about US President Donald Trump, the German free-rider mentality and Europe's lack of pride and self-respect.

Germany has reached an agreement with Greece on Friday (17 August) to take back asylum seekers if they have already applied for asylum in the Mediterranean country but later ended up in Germany. The Berlin government secured a similar deal with Spain, paving the way for de-escalating an internal political spat over migration. A German interior ministry spokesperson added that talks with Italy on the issue are also "far advanced".

Berlin has reached an agreement with Athens to send back refugees to Greece if they have already applied for asylum there. The move follows a similar agreement with Spain earlier this month, while a deal with Italy is also soon to follow.   

Slovenia's parliament approved on Friday (17 August) a minority coalition government led by comedian-turned-politician Marjan Šarec, ending a political stalemate after an inconclusive June 3 parliamentary election. However, analysts said the cabinet, supported by five centre-left parties, might have a limited shelf life

Media across the US have taken concerted action to defend themselves against the attacks of President Donald Trump. On the initiative of the Boston Globe, roughly 350 newspapers took a stance in their leading articles against the accusation that they spread fake news. Journalists in Europe show solidarity with the action, but not without voicing some criticism too.

In addition to high-ranking members of government Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a guest at the wedding of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl on Saturday. Putin's attendance is viewed as an official engagement. For both sides his visit is in keeping with a long tradition, commentators explain.