Polish healthcare workers facing mental health crisis, reveals new report
One in seven Polish healthcare professionals has experienced suicidal thoughts in the past 30 days, sparking calls for urgent systemic mental health support.
EURACTIV
Dutch cancer patients forced to wait for drug pricing dispute resolution
The Dutch healthcare institute has called out drug manufacturers for allegedly withholding information. A spokesperson for Gilead told Euractiv they already submitted a comprehensive dossier.
Trumpโs Ukraine envoy clarifies what Europeโs โseat at the tableโ means
“If you believe there are going to be thirty-three people sitting at the same table (…) in all probability, the answer is no, not at all,” Kellogg said.
The Brief โ Now what?
Europe canโt just hold out for four years, hoping for the return of another Biden-like figure.
EU shows no โsense of urgencyโ in taxing novel tobacco products
But member states, health experts, and the traditional tobacco industry itself have called on the Commission to act.
Europeans try to muster coalition on Ukraine contributions, but split on peacekeeping troops
Both Poland and Spain have said they would need more assurances before making a decision.
Turkey blocks EU-NATO cooperation on military goals
Capability targets are essential to coordinate military build-up across Europe.
Legislating workplace AI remains on Commissionโs radar
Commission does not exclude AI in the workplace legislation with humans at the centre.
WHO calls for tobacco-style cancer labels on alcohol as EU stalls
The WHO’s call comes as new figures show that limiting alcohol consumption could prevent one million new cancer diagnoses in Europe by 2050.
Berlin gives the nod for slimming down of EU CO2 tariff
Reporting requirements “must be reduced to the minimum that is absolutely necessary.”
Smaller EU states risk being left behind in critical medicines market, says Belgian MEP Sommen
Belgian MEP Liesbet Sommen spoke with Euractiv about critical medicines shortages, EU Pharma Package progress, and SANT’s evolving role.
EUโs approach to advanced artificial intelligence โ Time for a โCERN for AIโ? [Advocacy Lab Content]
On 30 January, Euractiv hosted a discussion on the European Commissionโs “CERN for AI” initiative and what a European AI Research Council could look like in practice.
Bulgarian government facing renewed pressure to fund biomarker testing
While nearly 30,000 Bulgarians need biomarker diagnostics annually, the state only covers the costs of one biomarker for breast cancer.
France to keep regulating power prices
The elimination of the tool would have โnegative consequences,โ according to the government.
Shipping companies push against crop-based biofuels
A Hapag-Lloyd representative said it agreed with environmental NGOs push back against crop-based biofuels.
Commission defiant against JD Vance free speech attack
Commission reacts to JD Vance comments on Romanian elections.
Trump targets EU shellfish as part of tariff plan
Only Spain and the Netherlands can export shellfish to the US, despite a White House document claiming the EU can export “all the shellfish it wants to America”.
Postcard from Munich: American carnage
In today’s edition of the Capitals, read about the collective European psyche at the 61st edition of the Munich Security Conference, why the Czech President rejects EU army, and so much more.
Czech President rejects EU Army, backs stronger NATO pillar
His comments were in response to Zelenskyโs call to establish EU armed forces.
Vanceโs Munich speech sparks mixed reactions in Bucharest
Interim President Bolojan assured that Romania remains firmly committed to a solid transatlantic partnership.
Polish presidential front-runner takes campaign to European stage
The presidential hopefulโs charm offensive includes Munich, Helsinki and Brussels.
Persistent inflation stalls Bulgariaโs eurozone bid
According to the Maastricht criteria inflation should not exceed 2.57%.
The week ahead in Tech 17-23 February
The Danish are on cloud nine, and X is playing nice with the Commission on DSA.
Closing the climate protection gap [Promoted content]
The insurance industry can play a pivotal role in addressing the issue of the protection gap, which refers to the gap between the insured losses and the real economic impact of climate disasters.
Russia slams Italian President over Nazi Germany comparison
Mattarella has likened Russiaโs aggression against Ukraine to the actions of the Third Reich.
Europe does the USโs homework on Ukraine
European capitals are filling out a questionnaire sent by the US on a possible peacekeeping force in Ukraine.
Europeโs desperate bid to shape Ukraineโs Trump deal in Munich
In this episode, host Giada Santana and Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Alexandra Brzozowski go through highlights and lowlights from the Munich Security Conference.
Commission slashes microplastics reporting rules amid โsimplificationโ push
The Commission’s U-turn provoked heated reactions from the Council.
Ethanol sector pitches biofuelled cars
“Advanced biofuels aren’t going to just appear magically because the EU says we need them.”
Postcard from Munich: American carnage
European diplomats drank Munich dry of camomille tea as they sought respite from a harrowing weekend.
Moroccan tomatoes expected to juice up Paris fair
Booming tomato imports from Morocco are making EU farmers turn red.
After US โshock therapy,โ Europe scrambles for Ukraine security plan
Macron rallies key European leaders to discuss on Ukraine security guarantees
Netherlands says economic stability a must for EU defence push
The frugal country’s defence minister told Euractiv he would “need to look at the details” of a proposal to loosen EU fiscal rules to allow more military spending.
Europe scrambles for series of urgent Ukraine talks
EU foreign ministers will meet on Sunday morning, before select European leaders convene in Paris on Monday.
EU will discuss โanythingโ to avoid Trump tariffs, says Commission trade chief
Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ will travel to Washington on Monday in an attempt to ward off an impending trade war.
French foreign minister to visit China, hoping to end cognac tariffs
20% of all Cognac bottles are shipped out to China and Singapore.
Trump lacks the minerals for Ukraine deal
Ukraine’s president reportedly turned down a minerals-for-weapons deal put forward by Trump’s team โ but Zelenskyy remains at the table.
Trumpโs Ukraine envoy: EU wonโt be part of peace talks
Keith Kellogg’s remarks are the most unequivocal yet by a senior US official on Europe’s role.
Finlandโs Orpo wants urgent EU summit on Ukraine
As eventual peace in Ukraine could mean Russia sets its sights elsewhere, Finland is “worried, but we are not afraid, and we are prepared,” the prime minister told Euractiv.
The Chattering Classesโฏย โ Crisis at โThe Politicoโ
The Chattering Classes is Euractiv’s new weekly newsletter on politics, lobbying and the media.
Germanyโs Merz โopenโ to more defence spending
The election frontrunner said he would consider a “debate on resources” as Germany and Europe scramble to find more cash for defence.
X cooperating with EUโs DSA investigation
X handed over documents on their recommender systems as required.
Zelenskyy calls for European army
“We cannot rule out that America might say no to Europe on issues that might threaten it,” the Ukrainian leader said.
Europe tries to regroup in aftermath of Vanceโs Munich takedown
Europe might have at last realised that the US is no longer “the Marvel hero we have seen” in the past, one European diplomat said.
Belgium leading new โone-stop shopโ for medicines, simplifying pharma market
Belgiumโs Deputy Prime Minister, Frank Vandenbroucke, called the EUโs joint health technology assessment a model of European cooperation, improving medicine evaluation, reducing costs, and strengthening price negotiations.
Poland seeks cardiovascular health reform focusing on prevention, early detection
Cardiovascular diseases remain Polandโs leading cause of death. Health experts are calling for urgent reforms, from enhanced screening to improved data collection and access to care.
Nuclear missing from draft Clean Industrial Deal subsidy rules
And green hydrogen might get more preferable treatment than low-carbon hydrogen.
Parliamentโs health committee to explore AIโs role in healthcare
“AI must never replace medical expertise but rather complement it,” MEP Victor Negrescu told Euractiv.
EU proposes clampdown on green tech subsidies
A draft document seen by Euractiv reveals Brussels wants to halve the generous subsidy limits imposed during the pandemic.
Germanyโs outgoing coalition eases bloated doctor appointment system
โGetting an appointment with a general practitioner is going to be much easier again – especially for those with statutory health insuranceโ, said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
Zelenskyy will only meet Putin after agreement with Trump on peace plan
Zelenskyy repeated in Munich that he had “a good conversation” with Trump earlier this week.
The Brief โ Trump gets the EUโs Russia treatment
The Commission is setting up a star chamber to control all communication with or about the US.
Von der Leyen pitches flexibility in EU deficit rules for defence
But strong opposition from ‘frugal’ countries makes the approval unlikely.
German wind lobby makes final election campaign plea
Around a third of electricity in Germany was generated from wind in the past year.
Organic farmers deplore return of controversial weed killer
Belgium is once again allowing the use of a herbicide that could contaminate crops on farms several kilometres away.
Donโt look at Trump, do what the EU needs. Letโs โBuy Transatlanticโ. [Promoted content]
Donald Trumpโs vocal and chaotic declarations dominate headlines and daily discussions. However, behind the noise lies a deeper and more pressing issue for the European Union: the peace dividend era is over. The EU must urgently define its hierarchy of…
Germany passes โhistoricโ law against domestic violence
But it fails to address two of the most severe forms of gender violence: femicide and rape.
Vanceโs Munich keynote leaves Europe guessing on Ukraine
The US vice president instead took aim at Europe’s retreat from “fundamental values” in an excoriating speech.
A failed Ukraine will weaken Europe and US, von der Leyen warns
“Trade wars and punitive tariffs make no sense,” said von der Leyen, drawing applause from the audience in Munich.
German business model is โgoneโ โ whatโs next?
As the likely next chancellor, Merz will need to lead the country toward a new model, not just say the old one has run its course.
The F.R.E.I.H.E.I.T. Project: tackling disinformation in Eastern Europe.
Fact-checking & Reliable European Information to Help Europe Integrate Together: The FREIHEIT Project
Ukraineโs NATO membership never guaranteed in peace deal, Rutte clarifies
The NATO chief appeared to fall in behind US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s line.
Organic industry wants answers from EU on upcoming import rules
Third-country inspection bodies and a recent EU judgment are causing the industry headaches.
Organic industry wants answers from EU on upcoming import rules
Third-country inspection bodies and a recent EU judgment are causing the industry headaches.
Macron backs Trumpโs call for Europe to step up on defence
The French president has long advocated for Europe’s defence industry to become more self-sufficient.
Going smart to go fast: A blueprint for accelerating renewable energy deployment sustainably across Europe [Promoted content]
The current business-as-usual approach to renewable deployment overlooks environmental, social, and institutional factors, causing permitting bottlenecks and project delays. A new toolkit by the Energy Community Secretariat and The Nature Conservancy a…
EU pledges โimmediateโ response to Trumpโs reciprocal tariffs
The line from Brussels appears to have hardened since its response to Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs earlier this week.
Germany calls for more subsidies, less red tape in EU Clean Industrial Deal
Germany wants businesses to be “freed” from the from “the shackles of unnecessary bureaucracy”.
Europe fears its second โMunich momentโ has come
In today’s edition of the Capitals, read about how the US opened Ukraine peace talks with Russia without EU allies, Germanyโs AfD steps up far-right diplomacy with Orbรกn love fest, and so much more.
Moldova shuts down Russian cultural centre following military drone incursions
Multiple drones crossed into Moldovan territory following a large-scale drone attack on Ukraineโs Reni port.
Russian gas transit through Bulgaria hits record high
Russian gas flow via Bulgarian pipeline surges 26.7% year-on-year.
Czech far-right leader stripped of immunity over racist posters
He could now face up to three years in prison.
Fico Calls on EU to adapt to new world order amid Trump-Putin talks
He criticised the EU for โlaunching a total offensiveโ against Russia, including sanctions.
Global electricity demand grows but Europe is lagging
The IEA expects global electricity sector emissions to plateau this year.
Meta hopes to woo Commission while Parliament still in love with American tech
Plus, Parliament and Council were blindsided by the Commission’s withdrawal on Standard Essential Patents, but the EU’s Patents Office was not.
PiS candidate backs Trump: No NATO membership for Ukraine
The same applies to EU membership, which โshould not be unconditional.โ
Sรกnchez leads, Vox rises, PP slips in polls
This is the Socialists’ largest monthly gain since May.
Italy-Albania migration centres are emptying
Workers at the Italy-Albania migration centres have been dismissed “until further notice”
Daddy America is home and heโs angry
After 48 tense hours, the Americans gave the Europeans no slackโcalling the shots on Ukraine and making demands.
Why Valentineโs Day will taste more bitter this year
In this episode, host Giada Santana and agri-food reporter Sofia Sanchez Manzanaro explore how the food market is adapting to unprecedented costs.
German industrial supremacy threatened by sunny south and windy north
Regions with abundant renewable energy are forecast to have structurally cheaper electricity โ and a big competitive advantage in an electrified world.
Europe fears its second โMunich momentโ has come
Europe’s contingent arrives in Munich braced for even higher-stakes diplomacy than they would have anticipated days ago.
Trump condemns โabsolutely brutalโ EU in new tariff announcement
“The EU’s been very nasty and… they haven’t treated us properly,” Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Czechia wants clear definition of patient groups in new EU pharma law
Czechia proposes changes that will better define the role of patient organisations when informing patients about therapeutic procedures without violating advertising regulations.
Dutch struggling to provide patients with quick, affordable access to innovative medicines
New cancer treatments are proving effective, but expensive, impacting overall healthcare expenditures. Researcher says reimbursements could be made conditional on reaching endpoints.
The Brief โ Europeโs humiliation
Trump can cut deals with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, with or without the rest of Europe.
European Parliament tells staff to use Teams, Cisco, and Signal
The endorsement of Signal could be considered a snub to rival direct-messaging apps such as Whatsapp, Messenger, and Telegram.
What is the โParacetamol challengeโ that has Europe nervous
Euractiv investigated the alleged dangerous trend that has national health authorities sounding the alarm.
Metaโs response to โฌ798 million antitrust fine
“This new program is another step in our efforts to quickly and constructively build a solution to respond to the European Commissionโs decision on Facebook Marketplace.”
MEPs and EU regions slam Commissionโs plan to merge funds
MEPs and the the Committee of the Regions are concerned about the increased influence in the proposal for the EU’s 2028-2032 multiannual framework.
Euro whipsaws as markets react to Trumpโs โreciprocal tariffโ threat
โI think the defining feature of the present situation [is] we don’t know what is going to come,” said one senior EU official.
German competition authority deems Appleโs tracking consent treatment illegal
Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Framework may breach German and EU competition rules according to the German authority.
The dark side of AI innovation is supercharging disinformation and damaging democracy
Misinformation and disinformation have always existed, but technological advancements have accelerated their impact. This Special Report looks at how AI misuse is damaging democracy.
Belgian health workers march against new government
The unions have already planned another general strike for 13 March.
Specialized telecoms investment is the solution, not the problem [Promoted content]
Specialized investment in telecoms is needed to meet the EU ambitious political targets for connectivity currently at risk due to a sector grappling with an unsustainable mismatch between investment needs and returns.
France, Germany decline to support 11 governmentโs rail funding plea
A potential new approach to the bloc’s budget has provoked fears that rail-friendly funds like the Connecting Europe Facility could be scrapped.
France to debate controversial euthanasia bill in May
The French government spokesperson said she hoped for adoption “as quickly as possible.”
German authorities investigating โattackโ as car speeds into rally in Munich
Police arrested a 24-year-old Afghan national at the scene.
Missed EU goals put Green Deal hydrogen rules under pressure
EU rules to stop coal-powered ‘green’ hydrogen are increasingly coming under fire.