Privacy officialsโ travel to home countries sets off EU alarm bells
Privacy regulator’s secretary general traveled on the EU’s dime to Spain, his home country, far more often than to other countries.
EU budget
Germany requests EU budget exemption to boost defence spending
Only a handful of EU countries have signalled interest in activating the ‘escape clause’ to free up more cash for defence.
Wind industry unveils its strategy to make public R&I funding work [Promoted content]
ETIPWind released a new report which calls for the establishment of a European Fund for Wind Research & Competitiveness in the next EU budget. This will make public R&I funding fit for safeguarding the European technology leadership in wind ene…
MEPs oppose Commission’s overhaul of EU budget after 2027
Members of the European Parliament called for a budget of more than 1% of the EU’s GDP and rejected the Commission’s idea of single national plans under the EU’s next long-term budget (2028-34).
Press release – Budgets Committee sets out priorities for next long-term EU budget
MEPs in the Budgets Committee have backed the first report outlining Parliamentโs vision for the next long-term EU budget.Committee on Budgets Source : ยฉ European Union, 2025 – EP
Macron invited to UK state visit in May โ ahead of Trump
With a relaunch of Britain-EU relations on the horizon, the French leader’s visit will take place months before the U.S. president.
EU warms to boosting defense funding to secure eastern flank
Eastern EU countries like Poland say they are currently bearing the financing brunt.
Europeโs NGOs fear Trump-style funding cuts are coming
The EU grants billions each year to nonprofits. Now, a right-wing campaign has NGOs afraid the money will dry up.
MEPs reject renewed attacks on NGO funding in EU budget review
A parliamentary committee has voted down a raft of amendments from right-wing lawmakers seeking to incorporate sharp criticism of EU funding for non-governmental organisations into the discharge of the blocโs 2023 budget.
Spain calls for EU to support sectors hit by Trumpโs tariffs
Madrid has already announced a โฌ14.1B industry aid package to offset the impact of Trumpโs 20 percent tariff on EU imports.
German-led push to open EU defense deal to UK and Canada hits French opposition
BRUSSELS โ At least a third of EU countries support a German-led plan to allow the U.K. and Canada to take part in a scheme for common purchases of weapons. EU ambassadors on Thursday discussed a plan to offer countries โฌ150 billion in cheap loans to spend on defense, but the Berlin-led effort to include [โฆ]
Water and defence – but not bullets: EU reallocates regional funds
The EU executive has invited member states to redirect regional spending – accounting for one-third of the EU budget – toward various strategic areas such as water resilience and affordable housing, including defence to a limited extent.
EU budget negotiators urged to include green energy in increased security spending
With the European Commission due to propose the EU’s next seven-year, trillion-euro budget in the summer, security analysts are calling for a focus on green energy alongside increased military spending.
Review of EU regional funding still on hold amid defence rerouting concerns
The European Commission said more time is needed to present the review of its regional funding programme, which accounts for one-third of the EU budget.
How to confront Orbรกn and save the EU
The legal tools to address this internal opposition exist โ Europe just needs to use them, and meet the moment with courage.
MEPs push for health to be a priority investment in the next EU budget
“If the budget remains stagnant, health will be devastated, as it has been in recent years,” said Christophe Clergeau (S&D, France).
War and joint bonds forge a more united Europe
Trump and Russia are pushing the EU toward a “Hamiltonian moment,” where common debt helps build greater federalism. ย ย
MEPs, EU countries oppose von der Leyenโs โฌ200bn research fund grab
Among the funds on the chopping block is Horizon Europe โ the โฌ95 billion research programme and one of the bloc’s best-known initiatives.
Development banks as key players in defense financing
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego and other national promotional bank institutionsโ experience is readily available to leverage military expenditure in Europe.
EU-US rift triggers call for made-in-Europe tech
Transatlantic tensions are fueling calls for the EU to wean itself off its U.S. tech addiction. It won’t be cheap.
Von der Leyenโs first 100 days, graded
The Commission president promised to pull off seven political feats by March 10. Hereโs how she did.
European prosecutors indict 100 in Greek farm subsidy fraud
Prosecutions follow POLITICO investigation into scheme to bilk Brussels of aid earmarked for grazing land.
Big EU countries push expanded carbon border tax to help repay Covid debt
France, Italy and Poland support the move, but others fear it might prompt Donald Trump to retaliate in anger.
Bulgarian EPP MEPs want EU budget to reflect blocโs defence needs
The Bulgarian MEPs insist that the recently announced Clean Industrial Deal should be transformed into a Security and Industry Deal.
Czech PM calls for defence to be prioritised in EU budget
If the EU wants to be taken seriously on the world stage, it must become stronger economically and militarily, Fiala said.
ITRE goes against Commissionโs R&I superfund in next budget
R&I spending should โcontribute to Union priorities, but on the terms of science and innovation rather than on the terms of policymakers,โ reads an ITRE committee report.
5 takeaways in the EUโs big agriculture (and food) vision
EU tries to make farming sexy again โ and keep farmers from revolting.
Trump is just what Europeโs defense needs
Current circumstances are forcing the EU to โgrow upโ when it comes to its own security and defense.
Give us more money, Commission tells EU countries
For the next EU long-term budget, โthe status quo is not an option,โ the EU executive wrote.
Background Brief: Why Europe is struggling to fill its investment gap
There appears very little prospect that Europe will plug its investment gap anytime soon.
EU makes โฌ20B push into computing power for AI
Bloc aims to catch up with U.S. and China in global AI race.
The EUโs ticking debt bomb โ and why it matters for its next budget
Repayment of the EU’s โฌ300 billion joint borrowing hangs like a cloud over the European Commission’s budget brainstorm.
Spain pushes to double EU budget to over โฌ2 trillion
Madrid wants governments to be jointly liable for borrowing huge amounts of money to boost the bloc’s coffers.
EU must propel global climate momentum to fill the gap left by Trump
Europe has the potential to play an important role, but it will have to move fast, and be smart and more united than before.
EU leaders reach defence funding deadlock as โฌ500bn shortfall looms
Though joint borrowing was on everyoneโs minds, no one mentioned them by name when leaving the meeting.
The post EU leaders reach defence funding deadlock as โฌ500bn shortfall looms appeared first on Euractiv.
Poland proposes EU entry fee to boost blocโs funding
Piotr Serafin, the Polish Commissioner responsible for the EU budget, is overseeing discussions on potential funding mechanisms.
The post Poland proposes EU entry fee to boost bloc’s funding appeared first on Euractiv.
Commission to loosen rules on how countries deploy unspent EU cash
The aim is to accelerate spending to boost strategic investments across the bloc.
How Vladimir Putin killed the EUโs frugal coalition
The need to counter Russia is shifting the attitudes of rich northern countries on budget discipline.
Ireland gets โscrewedโ as EU influence ebbs
Dublin “underperformedโ in its race for the bloc’s top jobs, especially those in economic policy, which it normally covets.
The biggest battles headed for Brussels
What the EU will be squabbling about in VDLโs second term.
Top10. The future of the EU budget behind the leak
In this episode, join host Giada Santana and economy and transport reporter Jonathan Packroff as they dive into MFFโs current challenges, regional stakeholders’ perspectives, and what the future might hold.
The post Top10. The future of the EU budget …
EU, Switzerland seal talks on modernized deal
Brussels and Bern have been negotiating the partnership agreement for ten years, with several hiccups along the way.
EUโs moment of truth on Ukraine is fast approaching
The blocโs biggest concern is that negotiations over Ukraineโs future might turn into a โmini Munich,โ inviting further Russian aggression.
EU budget is โclearly not the place to lookโ to finance twin transition, say economists [Advocacy Lab Content]
Without an investor-friendly mindset in Europe, a key driver for raising the green and digital transition funds will be missing.
The post EU budget is โclearly not the place to lookโ to finance twin transition, say economists appeared first on Euractiv…
Parliament negotiators caution against reforms conditionality for EU budget
โWe donโt want farmers to have payments suspended if a government doesnโt do a pension reform,โ said the Parliament’s co-lead negotiator Siegfried Mureศan.
The post Parliament negotiators caution against reforms conditionality for EU budget appeared fi…
Belgian police gave von der Leyen no warning about Reynders probe
The EU has not launched its own investigation into money laundering allegations against the former justice commissioner.
Europeโs next top diplomat is ready to be undiplomatic
Will Kaja Kallas be able to make her voice heard?
Bracing for a Russian attack: EU defense chief wants โฌ100B for weapons
Andrius Kubilius is the EU’s first defense and space commissioner.
Press release – EU budget 2025: restoring Councilโs cuts, reinforcing key EU programmes and managing borrowing costs
For the EUโ 2025 budget, MEPs secured more effective support to address challenges such as health, humanitarian aid, border management and climate actionCommittee on Budgets Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Press release – EU Budget 2025 deal: EP reinforces EU programmes and manages borrowing costs
MEPs achieved increases for the 2025 EU budget and secured funds for helping EU countries facing climate-related disasters.Committee on Budgets Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Brussels to free up billions of euros for defence from EU budget
Policy shift will allow the blocโs capitals to redirect โcohesion fundsโ amid Ukraine conflict and Trump victory
With Trump, there is no way around new EU debt, experts sayย
The option for new EU funds seems to stand a better chance in light of the second big development of the week: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz firing his Finance Minister Christian Lindner โ a staunch fiscal hawk.
EU leaders to agree watered-down โCompetitiveness Dealโ against heightened political uncertainty
โThe discussion on competitiveness on Friday will happen very much against backdrop of the results of the US elections,โ an EU diplomat said.
Dombrovskis clinches Commission economy post after grilling on fiscal rules orthodoxy
โThe fiscal rules are the same for all member states,โ said the veteran Latvian politician, who was repeatedly asked how he would ensure “equal treatment” of EU countries under the new scheme.
5 things to know about climate chief Wopke Hoekstraโs hearing
The Dutch politician defended green legislation but remained vague on future plans.ย
Serafin vows to end EU spending โbureaucratic nightmare,โ praises role of regions
Regional governments โknow best what reforms and investments they need,โ Serafin said, promising not to repeat mistakes of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
Former Tusk aide Serafin faces tightrope walk on EU budget reform at commissioner hearing
โI find the distinction between โold or new’ completely artificial: there are only European needs and priorities,โ Serafin wrote in his responses to the European Parliament ahead of the hearing.
5 things to know about defense chief Andrius Kubiliusโs European Parliament hearing
New defense commissioner warned of Russian threat, underlined America’s distraction with China, and pushed the EU to spend big on protecting itself.
Europe should hope for a Trump victory
The bloc has lost its purpose โ and, surprisingly, having the former president back in the White House may be the thing to bring it back.
Dombrovskis pledges focus on budget, rules simplification to boost competitiveness
โThe EU budget will continue to be an important catalyst for European competitiveness. But we must make it simpler,โ he said.
EPPโs flirtation with far rightย in Parliament sparks EU budget fiasco
It was a “mistake” to side with the far right in yet another migration quarrel, top EPP lawmaker said.
Press release – EU budget for 2025 to focus on research, health, education, and climate action
Parliament demands an EU budget for 2025 that focuses on improving people’s lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing current challenges.Committee on Budgets Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
Serafin endorses RRF-like conditionality for future EU spending
The Polish candidate also sought to reassure regional and local governments, currently worried about losing out from EU spending reforms.
Press release – Press conference: rapporteur Victor Negrescu on the EU budget 2025
The rapporteur for the 2025 EU budget will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 13:30 following the plenary vote on the EPโs stance on the EU budget for 2025.Committee on Budgets Source : ยฉ European Union, 2024 – EP
2025 Budget: Parliament ready to defend EU4Health against the Council of the EU
The upcoming interinstitutional negotiations on the EU budget for 2025 are likely to be tense.
Brussels ducks responsibility for Cyprus waste scandal
An EU fraud investigation into a โฌ46 million waste treatment project remains stuck in bureaucratic gridlock.
The eight defence projects that could become first-ever EU projects of common interest
The list, seen by Euractiv, would come with a โฌ500 billion price tag under the EU budget.
Future EU defence commissioner aims to align with NATO on key security priorities
It is important to show strong signals to Putin that he should forget about testing the EU or NATO, says Kubilius.
Portuguese PM asks for EU budget top-up
Montenegro asked that member states also step up their financial contributions to the EU.
EU plans cash help for farmers to overcome French resistance to Mercosur deal
A French diplomat described the proposal as โan interesting option.โ
G7โs Ukraine loan is at risk
What began as a multilateral statement of support has morphed into a fragmented and precarious arrangement, plagued by internal political and legal wrangling.
Parliament could block next EU budget over RRF transparency, says senior MEP
A lack of clarity over the final beneficiaries of the RRF “is now a long-lasting issue,” says a vice-chair of the budget committee.
Key stakeholders criticise Commissionโs top-down Competitiveness Fund plans
“The one-size-fits-all is not the correct answer,โ said Romanian MEP Siegfried Mureศan
The future of the EU budget behind the leak
In this episode, join host Giada Santana and economics and transport reporter Jonathan Packroff as they dive into MFFโs current challenges, the perspectives of regional stakeholders, and what the future might hold.
EU Commission races to disburse pandemic recovery fund before 2026 deadline
Member states will have more leeway to revise their recovery plans if they can reduce ‘administrative burden’.
โConcerning trendโ as bad EU spending keeps rising
Auditors found growing errors in the way the EU splashes its cash.
European mayors oppose Commission plans to centralise EU funds
โWe should not punish regions for the mistakes of the national governments,โ one mayor said.
Commission defends budget spending after EU auditors flag โsubstantial errors increaseโ in 2023
The fact that billions of euros were not spent following EU or national rules โdoes not mean that the money is effectively misspent,” ECA president said.
The EUโs year of doing nothing
Aftermath of the European election and the looming German vote have stopped the bloc from getting much work done.
One Competitiveness Fund to rule them all โ the Commissionโs considered R&I overhaul
“It is a mega maxi bazooka program,” Director of Research at the CEPS Andrea Renda told Euractiv.
Two proposed timetables put forward for commissioner hearings
See who’s up for a grilling in the European Parliament on which days.
Commissionโs budget plans endanger the European project, says regions chief
Brussels’ bid to take power away from regions is ‘not acceptable’ according to Vasco Alves Cordeiro.
Polish MEP: Hard times ahead for commissioner hopefuls Serafin, Fitto, Hoekstra
Polandโs Piotr Serafin will face many challenges if he succeeds in becoming the new EU budget commissioner, while Italian and Dutch commissioners-designate Raffaele Fitto and Wopke Hoekstra are likely to be grilled the most during parliamentary hearing…
Polandโs Serafin comes out of the shadows to do the EUโs toughest job
The man chosen to be the next budget commissioner will have to draw on all the skills he’s picked up over many years in Brussels.
Von der Leyenโs first 100 days: What sheโs promised, what it means and what sheโll really deliver
The Commission president is promising to move quickly with far-reaching reforms. How credible is her plan?
Von der Leyen announces โฌ35B EU loan for Ukraine
It will be financed from future profits on frozen Russian state assets.
Who holds the economic power in von der Leyenโs new Commission?
Trade, competition, fiscal policy and the EU budget are among the most sought-after prizes on offer in the new EU executive. Euronews examines who is lined up to control key posts, and which embarrassing revelations might trip them up.
Hungary is โreadyโ to file lawsuit against Brussels in asylum fight, Budapest says
The Hungarian government said that instead of paying a โฌ200 million fine, it should actually get more money for border control.
Europeโs Draghi report unleashed: These are the 5 things to watch
A blueprint to make the EU more competitive with the rest of the world is published on Monday. It’s likely to prove controversial.
The flip side of debt: The EUโs urgent need for new resources
Agreeing on one-off common debt issuance was hardly a Hamiltonian moment โ but substantially increasing the blocโs own resources may just bring us closer to one.
New Parliamentโs co-lead on key budget file to call for funds expansion, bigger defence wallet
The EU needs a โmoderateโ increase in its long-term budget, Siegfried Mureศan, the newly appointed chief negotiator for the European Parliament on the bloc’s upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), told Euractiv on Friday (6 September).
Live from Bruegel Annual Summit
EU policy thinktank Bruegel is hosting its annual summit on where legislation should go in the next five years. Check our live updates here for the key takeaways of the day
Bulgaria nominates a man and a woman for EU commissioner post
Sofia puts forward Ekaterina Zaharieva and Julian Popov.
Bulgaria calls new election, closes in on EU commissioner pick
Each of the major parties have put forward a candidate, with the interim prime minister yet to decide.
Greece targets regional funding post in next European Commission
Nominee Apostolos Tzitzikostas wants to oversee “cohesion” policy.
Romania to propose Victor Negrescu as EU commissioner
European Parliament vice president wants a portfolio touching on investment.
The European Commission hopefuls with one thing on their mind
EU governments are battling for their people to get roles linked to the economy.
Orbรกn isnโt as isolated as you think
The Hungarian leader has been able to build a coalition of like-minded allies who share his strategic goal โ creating โa Europe of nation states.โ
Austria nominates Finance Minister Brunner as EU commissioner
He will have to compete against Irish and Dutch candidates for an economics portfolio.
Slovak elite investigators charged with abuse of power
The accused had all worked on a massive corruption case tied to Prime Minister Robert Fico and his political allies.