European Union

Volkswagen and BMW have been ordered to pay 875 million euros in fines to the EU for colluding with Daimler to restrict the size of their urea tanks in 2009, thus hindering competition. Urea mixtures improve exhaust gas purification and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. Have the companies been let off too lightly, or are they being punished for normal and desirable cooperation?

The Russian Duma has passed a law that reserves the term "shampanskoye" - as all sparkling wine is called in Russian - for Russian products only. All others, including champagne from the French Champagne region, must henceforth be declared as "Igristoye vino" (sparkling wine). Europe's press goggles, jokes and scolds.

In a referendum on Sunday, 86 percent of Slovenian voters retroactively annulled the country's new water management law introduced in March. According to the law, investors and private individuals would have been able to acquire and use land on coastlines, lake shores and riverbanks. So far, such land has remained common property in Slovenia. At 44.5 percent, the turnout was significantly higher than expected.

In Bulgaria's second parliamentary election in three months, the anti-establishment populist ITN party led by TV presenter Slavi Trifonov, which was founded just last year, and the conservative Gerb party of former prime minister Boyko Borisov are neck-and-neck in exit polls. The final results are expected at the end of the week. What is already clear, however, is that voter turnout has dropped from 50 percent in April to less than 40 percent now. Why?

Executive VP Timmermans will present the Commission’s “Fit for 55 in 2030” package and debate with Environment Committee MEPs, on the day of its adoption.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Executive VP Timmermans will present the Commission’s “Fit for 55 in 2030” package and debate with Environment Committee MEPs, on the day of its adoption.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

MEPs will reflect on the new European Commission proposal aiming to reduce greenhouse emissions and vote on new legislation tackling cross-border health threats.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

MEPs will reflect on the new European Commission proposal aiming to reduce greenhouse emissions and vote on new legislation tackling cross-border health threats.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The capacity of forests to act as a “carbon sink” – absorbing more CO2 than they emit – is decreasing and needs to be reversed, the European Commission said in September last year when it presented its 2030 climate target plan.

A new report by Deloitte says massive cost savings can be achieved on the way towards climate neutrality if gas is given a more prominent role.