Euractiv.com

With the upcoming elections to the European Parliament fast approaching, Europe is currently in a state of limbo. This makes it an ideal time to reflect on the likely shape of the European Union of tomorrow, and, above all, the form that we, as mutualists, want it to have.

The EU must change its procedure and allow qualified majority voting in all intermediary stages of the EU accession process, writes Srdjan Cvijic.

As part of his 2017 State of the Union address, European Commission President Juncker stood before the European Parliament and introduced a new Industrial Policy Strategy. His aim, he said, was to help the EU's industries become "world leaders in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation." 

In the context of the EU's industry days, EURACTIV hears from industry leaders, high-ranking political officials and representatives from civil society, on the future challenges of the bloc's industrial sector.

“Information is power,” the boss of French spirits maker Pernod Ricard told EU policymakers last week, underlining the fundamental role of consumer education in reducing alcohol abuse, particularly among students.

Croatia’s plan to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the island of Krk has taken another turn, after Russia’s ambassador in Zagreb, Anvar Azimov, said Moscow has nothing against its construction, marking a reversal of Russia’s position. EURACTIV...

The Greek ministry of energy has finally submitted a new national energy and climate plan to the European Commission. It aims to reduce dependence on lignite power and increase the use of renewable energy. EURACTIV Greece reports.

The Swedish far-right party, the Sweden Democrats, is no longer calling for the country to leave the EU and it is not the only one. Several European populist parties have backtracked on this issue. EURACTIV France reports.

Hungary is threatening to block a common EU position for cooperation with the Arab League. The reason, once again, is migration policy. EURACTIV Germany's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.

US President Donald Trump said military intervention in Venezuela was “an option” as Western nations boost pressure on socialist leader Nicolás Maduro to step down, while the troubled OPEC nation’s ally Russia warned against “destructive meddling.”

A Japanese village aims to be the first zero waste municipality in the world by 2020 and has already reached an 81% recycling rate. A member of the Japanese Zero Waste Academy told EURACTIV that the feat is replicable elsewhere.

CECE calls on all candidates in the European elections to push for a European Commission mandate that puts Industrial Policy as a priority in their political agenda.

President Emmanuel Macron is considering organising what would be the first referendum in France in 14 years as part of his response to the "yellow vest" protests, a report said on Sunday (3 February).

French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire wants to introduce legislation to ensure that heads of large French businesses living abroad pay more taxes in France. EURACTIV France’s partner La Tribune reports.

Global trade tensions are scaring investors globally. In Asia, despite the huge needs to finance large projects, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is “concerned” about stagnant and even fall of private capital being attracted, its vice-president told EURACTIV.com.

The European Union needs to revise its 2030 CO2 reduction target from 40% to 55% if it wants to meet the 1.5°C global warming objective of the Paris Agreement, says Joyce Msuya.

Poland's first openly gay politician on Sunday (3 February) launched "Spring", a progressive political party aimed at challenging the EU country's governing right-wing party accused by critics and the EU of passing reforms that threaten the rule of law.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday (3 February) she would seek a "pragmatic solution" to a parliamentary impasse over the terms on which Britain leaves the European Union when she tries to reopen talks with Brussels.

In time for Theresa May's visit to Brussels this week, Andrew Duff has written an improved version of the Political Declaration accompanying the Withdrawal Agreement, as a basis to prevent a hard Brexit.

There is an anti-EU virus in the British body politic of particularly virulent strain, it experienced a long period of hibernation and can be found in both major political parties, writes Fraser Cameron.