European Union

Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Janša has presented the agenda for his country's EU presidency to the EU Parliament. The battle against Covid and cyber attacks are top of the list along with advancing digitalisation and climate protection. Janša's speech was awaited with some trepidation due to his questionable views on democracy and climate change and his closeness to Viktor Orbán, but he avoided making any barbed comments. So is everyone friends again?

Countries in Europe now have some of the highest vaccination rates in the world. But the pace is slowing down in many areas, with people not turning up for their vaccination appointments. The summer weather and low infection rates are making people hesitate even if they are not anti-vaxxers. Commentators appeal to citizens' sense of responsibility and discuss the limits of freedom.

A reshuffle at Volkswagen is cause for celebration among Croatian commentators. The luxury brand Bugatti will no longer be made by the parent company but by a joint venture between subsidiaries Porsche and Rimac Automobili. Founded in 2009 and based near Zagreb, Rimac builds electric sports cars, and Porsche has a 24 percent share in the company.

MEPs want to modernise the EU's airspace management to make it more efficient and greener. Learn more by watching our video.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

MEPs want to modernise the EU's airspace management to make it more efficient and greener. Learn more by watching our video.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

COVID-19 pandemic has helped raise political awareness of health issues but the widespread misuse of antibiotics in COVID patient treatment is likely to result in increased antimicrobial resistance, health experts have warned.

MEPs want to boost the Connecting Europe Facility programme to modernise EU transport, digital networks, 5G systems and energy infrastructure.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

MEPs want to boost the Connecting Europe Facility programme to modernise EU transport, digital networks, 5G systems and energy infrastructure.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The Spanish Government is planning to impose a new financial measure on certain wind farms and other power generation assets. It says these assets are earning “windfall profits” as a result of higher carbon prices. If approved, the measure would impact the revenues of wind farms and other power plants. 

Ardagh Metal Beverage Holdings v EUIPO (Marque sonore)
Intellectual and industrial property
The Court gives a ruling for the first time on the registration of a sound mark submitted in audio format

The threat to democracy and fundamental rights in several member states was the main issue discussed on Wednesday with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The threat to democracy and fundamental rights in several member states was the main issue discussed on Wednesday with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The EU’s emissions trading scheme – which establishes the world’s largest carbon market – is often described as the crown jewel of EU climate policy. Now it is up for revision and all eyes are on the European Commission's draft plan.