Category: NEWS

SOTEU: VDL Promises More EU and Less Democracy

While conservative MEPs criticized her for abandoning pragmatism for utopist ideology, the Commission chief argued in favor of enlargement to 30+ member states, “History is calling us to [complete] our Union.”

Higher Fuel Surcharges Predicted Under Carbon Trading Scheme

Higher Fuel Surcharges Predicted Under Carbon Trading Scheme

A new EU surcharge on fuel could trigger a price spike as experts warn that politicians have severely underestimated the actual tax rate.

April 16, 2023
Intel Leak: Romania Plays ‘Key Role’ in the War in Ukraine

Intel Leak: Romania Plays ‘Key Role’ in the War in Ukraine

Bucharest has been training troops, transporting weapons, and flying drones over Ukraine without anyone in the country knowing.

April 16, 2023
What Does a ‘Slimmed-Down’ Monarchy Mean?

What Does a ‘Slimmed-Down’ Monarchy Mean?

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said it has become “totally unclear” what exactly the term refers to.

April 16, 2023
Xi, Lula To Deepen Brazil-China Ties

Xi, Lula To Deepen Brazil-China Ties

Before meeting with the Chinese president, Lula made an impassioned plea for the replacement of the U.S. dollar with other currencies for use in international trade.

April 16, 2023
Orbán: U.S.-Hungary Friendship Must Endure Despite Differences

Orbán: U.S.-Hungary Friendship Must Endure Despite Differences

The Hungarian government will continue to resist the U.S.’s “plan to squeeze everyone into a war alliance,” Prime Minister Orbán said.

April 15, 2023
Georgia: Opposition Organizes Pro-EU Demonstrations

Georgia: Opposition Organizes Pro-EU Demonstrations

For its part, the Georgian government maintains that it remains committed to joining the EU.

Paris and Berlin at Loggerheads over China

Paris and Berlin at Loggerheads over China

Emmanuel Macron’s claim that Europe should take a balanced position between Beijing and Washington is seen as nonsense and dangerous by the German political class.

April 15, 2023
Greek Judge Alleges He Was Bribed for Vote on Legislation

Greek Judge Alleges He Was Bribed for Vote on Legislation

The former judge resigned over attempts to bypass the Supreme Court as the Greek Parliament passed legislation to ban the National Party from standing in next month’s election.

April 15, 2023
French Constitutional Council Validates Pension Reform

French Constitutional Council Validates Pension Reform

While validating the law as a whole, the Constitutional Council acknowledged that its adoption had been hampered by an “unusual” use of procedures aimed at restricting debate.

April 14, 2023
Riots in Paris Before Pension Reform Ruling

Riots in Paris Before Pension Reform Ruling

The opinion of the Constitutional Council is eagerly awaited by opponents of the reform who have placed all their last hopes in this institution.

April 14, 2023
Brussels Conference Challenges Anti-Meat Consensus

Brussels Conference Challenges Anti-Meat Consensus

Academics at the conference affirmed the importance of meat and challenged the growing anti-meat consensus among EU policymakers amid a growing grassroots backlash.

April 14, 2023
Austria Extends Internal Schengen Border Checks

Austria Extends Internal Schengen Border Checks

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) said it’s “necessary” to continue the border checks in light of the “high migratory pressure” Austria experienced in 2022, having received over 110,000 asylum applications—the highest percentage increase year over year of any member state.

April 14, 2023