Europe has a real defense commissionerย โ just not one appointed by Ursula von der Leyen
The boss of Germany’s largest arms producer is a power player in Europe’s scramble to rearm.
Johansson
EU fingerprint and facial recognition checks expected to be delayed again
Border checks system was due to go live in November but some countries say they are not ready amid worries about lack of testingThe full implementation of an EU entry-exit system introducing fingerprinting and facial recognition checks at ports and air…
The great Commission puzzle: Who we think will get each portfolio
Ursula von der Leyen is about to hand out key jobs in her team. Hereโs POLITICOโs version of the next Commission.
UK citizens travelling to EU next summer will have to pay โฌ7 visa-waiver charge
Scheme will mirror US Esta and apply to travel to Schengen area, with under-18s and over-70s exempt Business live โ latest updatesUK citizens travelling to the EU next summer will have to pay a โฌ7 visa-waiver charge after the EU revealed its timeline f…
Europe must massively boost financial backing for defence, says Saab chief
Micael Johansson says regionโs industrial strategy needs a figure in region of โฌ100bn rather than the โฌ1.5bn envisaged
Finlandโs deportation law puts EUโs migration norms to the test
Human rights organizations sound the alarm over the controversial measure.
Commission eyes extra migration restrictions in bid for right wing support
European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said the Commission will propose changes to the EU’s visa regime within July, according to two letters addressed to member states and seen by Euractiv, sent at the time Commission President Ursula…
Sweden nominates EU minister as its next European commissioner
EU Affairs Minister Jessika Roswall will replace Ylva Johansson as Stockholm’s pick for Brussels.
Ylva Johansson: ‘Impunity is over’ for human trafficking in the European Union
The outgoing European Commissioner for Home Affairs said that human trafficking should be a crime in the whole of the European Union.
All politics is local: What the EU election is actually about in each country
When EU voters head to the polls later this week, one thing is certain: Almost none of them will be thinking of Europe when they cast their ballot.ย A plethora of studies โ and sky-high abstention rates โ show that most of the blocโs citizens neither understand nor care about the European Parliament vote. Because [โฆ]
Europe is watching UKโs election battle over deporting migrants to Rwanda
EU governments used to castigate Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda scheme: not any more.
The frontrunners for the next European Commission
Even before the European elections, maneuvering is under way for top jobs in Brussels.
Slovak government scrambles for arguments amid EU farm subsidy delay
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Commission giving its greenlight to Stockholm’s new diesel and petrol car-free zone, EU Home Affairs Commissoner Ylva Johansson getting wind of the heated Czech parliamentary debate on migrati…
Czech lawmakersโ debate on EU migration gets heated, draws attention of Commissioner
A debate on the EU’s Migration Pact in the Czech parliament on Thursday caught the eye of EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson and turned heated as MPs argued over the reception of refugees in the Czech Republic.
China is a threat to Europeโs gunpowder supply, defense boss warnsย
Saab boss warns Beijing dominates supplies of a key component to make powder to fire shells, and metal for submarines and warships.
โWe just want Johan backโ โ an EU diplomat has spent 2 years in Iranโs most notorious prison
Authoritarian governments have learned they can trade Western humanitarian workers and journalists for convicted killers and intelligence agents.
EU countries not enforcing migration pact could face legal action, says Johansson
EU countries failing to implement the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, narrowly endorsed by the European Parliament on Wednesday, could face legal action, the bloc’s home affairs chief has warned.
Niger coup risks jump in EU immigration, commissioner says
Last year’s coup in Niger could bring about a surge in irregular arrivals to the EU, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Tuesday (9 April), the eve of a key vote on overhauling the bloc’s migration rules ahead of a June election.
MEPs to vote on divisive migration policy in โbig moment for Europeโ
Proponents of legislation for bloc say it will take away far-right arguments but critics claim the oppositeThe European parliament is to vote on Wednesday on sweeping new laws to overhaul its migration policy amid renewed criticism that it is feeding t…
Reform of EU migration policy won’t lead to Rwanda-style plans, says Ylva Johansson
The reform of the European Union’s migration policy will not encourage the outsourcing of asylum requests, Ylva Johansson has said.
EUโs Johansson dismisses need to reform Frontex
There is no need to reform the EUโs border and coastguard agency known as Frontex, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Monday in Madrid, despite years of scandals, criticisms, and allegations of inaction, complicity in illegal pushbacks…
UK inks deal with EUโs Frontex on illegal migration
Pact stops short of a returns agreement, but will allow the two sides’ border agencies to work together more closely.
EU Parliament threatens to shut down debates if MEPs donโt show
A suggested rule change aims to banish images of dreary deliberations in a empty chamber.
Electoral rhetoric and reality of migration set to clash again in 2024
In 2024, the contradiction between electoral campaigns and the reality on migration will become increasingly evident.
No EU country will be ‘left alone’ to cope with irregular migration, says Ylva Johansson
The reform of the European Union’s migration policy means that no country will be “left alone” to cope with irregular arrivals, says Ylva Johansson. #StateOfTheUnion
EU strikes historic migration deal
Negotiators work through the night to agree on the overhaul of the EUโs asylum procedures.
ISIS propaganda seducing โnew generation of teenagers,โ French domestic intel
Security chief warns Islamist ideology is likely to exist for a very long time to come.
EU warns of โhuge riskโ of terrorist attacks before Christmas
Ongoing Israel-Hamas war has knock-on effects for Europe, Ylva Johansson says.
‘Huge risk’ of Christmas attacks, warns EU
European Commissioner Ylva Johansson says the Israel-Hamas war is increasing tensions.
Brussels warns Niger’s repeal of anti-human-smuggling law could cause EU migrant influx
The Niger junta’s decision to repeal an eight-year-old law designed to crack down on migrant smugglers could lead to an influx of migrants into Europe, according to EU home affairs chief Ylva Johansson.
Italy-Albania migration deal falls ‘outside’ EU law, says Commissioner Ylva Johansson
The deal struck between Italy and Albania to outsource the processing of asylum claims is not in breach of EU law because it falls “outside” EU law, says European Commissioner Ylva Johansson.
Orbรกn wants Ukraine to โnegotiateโ for military aid cash
SNEAK PEEK โ As EU leaders meet again today, Viktor Orbรกn is still refusing to free more cash for military aid to Kyiv. โ Ammunition: Beyond the pace of production, the next biggest issue is cost. โ In Ukraine, the future of warfare is a $400 drone killing a $2 million tank. Good morning, and [โฆ]
EU leaders talk Ukraine, Middle East, MFF
SNEAK PEEK โ European leaders meet today to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East and the EUโs long-term budget. โ EU countries account for 11.5 percent of the worldโs military spending. โ Ukraine announces another partnership with a German defense contractor. Good morning, and welcome to Morning Defense. Tips to jposaner@politico.eu, lkayali@politico.eu and clarson@politico.eu or follow [โฆ]
EU launches crackdown on cocaine smuggling
Commissioner reveals plans to foil child exploitation by criminal gangs as figures show half of homicides in the bloc are now drug-relatedChildren exploited by drug gangs face the same plight as child soldiers forced into killing and maiming people for…
Europeโs Time to Act
Can the Europe of 2030 be peaceful, and prosperous and lead the world in sustainability? How to achieve that goal amid multiple crises, is the question EU leaders face at their summit this week, writeย Guillaume Faury, Micael Johansson and…
Athens wants to revamp EU-Turkey migrant deal
Greek interior minister says now is time to ‘reenergize, rejuvenate and expand’ pact that returns migrants to Turkey.
EU extends protections for Ukrainian refugees
The program that gives Ukrainians the instant right to live and work in the EU is prolonged until March 2025.
Commission confident of migration deal but divides among ministers persist
Ministers will reach a deal on a key migration law “in a few days”, EU Commissioner for migration Ylva Johansson told journalists following a meeting of EU home affairs ministers on Thursday (27 September), despite significant disagreements persisting …
Italy pulls the brake on 11th-hour migration compromise
Germany had previously held up the process over human rights concerns.
Germanyโs Scholz hints at checks on Polish border amid visa-for-bribes scandal
‘Further measures mayย then have to be taken at the borders,’ German chancellor says.
Brussels asks Poland for ‘clarifications’ about cash-for-visa scandal
Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for home affairs, has written a letter to the Polish government asking for “clarifications” about the spiralling cash-for-visa scandal that has gripped the country.
Von der Leyen vows EU strategy to combat drug trafficking
Commission president pledges European ports alliance as key part of narcotics plan.
EU โvery worriedโ about Swedish official Johan Floderus jailed in Iran
Ylva Johansson says EU is supporting Swedish government in attempt to get 33-year-old home after 512 daysThe European Commission has said it is โvery worriedโ about the plight of a Swedish EU official who has spent more than 500 days in jail in Iran.Yl…
โEuropeโs got a problemโ โ Drug violence grips Belgiumโs second largest city
Antwerp is grappling with bombings, shootings and a record influx of cocaine.
EU official from Sweden has been in prison in Iran for over 500 days
Johan Floderus was arrested in April 2022 while on a tourist trip to Iran.
Ursula von der Leyenโs going on vacation. Whoโs she leaving in charge of the EU?
These five commissioners have drawn the short straw this summer.
Parliament shouts, pounds table over โopaqueโ Tunisia migrant deal
European Parliament fumed at being cut out of a deal to restrict migration from Tunisia, questioning whether it was even legal.
Greece to the EU: Come help stop migrant boats before they get here
‘These tragedies will continue to happen unless we stop departures from Libya,’ Greece’s migration minister told POLITICO following a shipwreck that killed hundreds.
MEPs demand EU search and rescue mission in the Mediterranean
The European Parliament has called for the restoration of a European Search and Rescue (SAR) mission in the Mediterranean Sea following a series of deadly shipwrecks in the region.