European Union

The European Commission on Tuesday (14 December) unveiled four initiatives aimed at readying Europe's transport network for a low-carbon future – a set of proposals hailed by Greenpeace for "exceeding expectations" when it comes to promoting rail transport.

The European Commission on Wednesday (15 December) unveiled a package of gas legislation that aims to steer Europe away from fossil gas towards more sustainable energy sources, like renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.

A new recommendation to the Dutch government suggests a hybrid risk approach on Legionella bacteria monitoring in implementing the new EU's tap water rules at member state levels.

The most effective response to the resurgence of COVID-19 is vaccination, say MEPs, addressing the main topic on the agenda of the European Council.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The most effective response to the resurgence of COVID-19 is vaccination, say MEPs, addressing the main topic on the agenda of the European Council.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The updated rules to select which energy projects will receive EU support were informally agreed between MEPs and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, on Wednesday.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The updated rules to select which energy projects will receive EU support were informally agreed between MEPs and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, on Wednesday.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Inflation is currently at its highest level in decades, in Europe and around the world. In the Eurozone it stands at 4.9 percent, in Russia at 8.4 percent and in Turkey at 21 percent. Consumers are being hit particularly hard by high energy costs and rising food costs. But in many countries citizens can expect little help from the politicians, commentators observe.

The Belarusian blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, husband of opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The 43-year-old was convicted of "preparing and organising mass unrest" in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. For commentators, this shows once again how far Lukashenka's Belarus has moved away from democratic standards.

France's President Macron has met with Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán in Budapest. Both stressed their willingness to cooperate despite differences, and Macron hinted at a concession on migration policy but said that Hungary was too inflexible on the subject of the rule of law for the EU to disburse money from the Covid recovery fund. Commentators discuss the purpose of the meeting.