European Union

The case of a terminally ill woman suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease who wants to end her life in Switzerland by means of assisted suicide has sparked a debate in Estonia. Commentators discuss the complexity of the issue and put clear demands to politicians.

2019 is an important year for EU-Kazakhstan relations, in anticipation of the full entry into force of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kazakhstan and the EU.

Despite the remarkably promising Western Balkans Strategy presented by the Commission almost a year ago, 2018 could be described as “one step forward, two steps back” with regards to the European aspirations of the Western Balkans, write Djordje Bojović and Nikola Burazer.

Work pressures can impact on family life as many parents may feel unable to catch up with their family responsibilities because of work commitments. These pressures are particularly dramatic for new parents. Flexible working arrangements can help ease these tensions, RAND Europe argues.

CCOO
SOPO
Advocate General Pitruzzella proposes that the Court find that undertakings are under an obligation to introduce a system for measuring the actual number of hours worked each day

EU climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete is in no doubt that the EU has to achieve ‘climate neutrality’ by 2050 and wants to use his final months in the job to push the bloc towards Paris Agreement-compliance.

Europe has stepped up pressure on Russia to free Ukrainian sailors, amid concern of a potential flare-up in Russian violence, ahead of elections in March.

Daniel Caspary, a German centre-right MEP, says the EPP's demand for a secret ballot on transparency is needed to defend the rights of EU lawmakers.

MEPs who launched a procedure examining the democratic situation in Hungary last year now want member states to step up efforts. The government in Budapest meanwhile accuses MEPs of attacking Hungary over migration.

Germany's government on Wednesday downgraded the country's economic forecast for 2019 to 1.0 percent growth, the weakest since 2013 and much less than the 1.8 percent growth it had predicted in the autumn. Economy minister Peter Altmaier cited Brexit and trade conflicts as reasons for the slowdown in growth. The unemployment rate in Germany is predicted however to drop further, to below five percent in 2019.

The Helsinki-based European Chemical Agency recommended on Wednesday EU-wide restrictions to reduce the amount of microplastics released into the environment by about 400,000 tonnes over 20 years as part of the EU plastics strategy. Once released, microplastics can be extremely persistent in the environment, lasting thousands of years, and practically impossible to remove. Several EU countries has already banned microplastics in certain products, such as wash-off cosmetic products.

European Commission officials are due in Dublin next week to discuss preparations for a no-deal Brexit, reports the Irish Times. The option of softening Ireland's stance on the backstop would inevitably be discussed, it reported. "There will be no pressure from us," said one EU diplomat. "But the situation will bring pressure".

Irish central bank governor since 2015, Philip Lane, is the sole candidate to replace Peter Praet as the European Central Bank's next chief economist from 1 June, the president of the Eurogroup, Mario Centeno, said in a statement on Wednesday. Finance ministers from the 19 euro countries will discuss his candidacy, before an EU summit in March can formally appoint him after the European Parliament has been consulted.

Christian Beck and Sven Giegold explain the stakes of a strategic vote in the European Parliament taking place today (31 January).

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria via birds could compromise the effectiveness of many anti-infective drugs. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement reports.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz party will not join a eurosceptic alliance spearheaded by Italy in the run-up to European Parliament elections despite their common hard line on immigration, a government official said on Wednesday (30 January).

Macedonia's prime minister said Wednesday (30 January) that in addition to changing his country's name, his government was ready to enact further reforms to speed up the start of EU accession talks.