Czechs push for separate Ukraine funds if Hungary blocks further aid

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

PRAGUE

Czechia should push for creating a separate financial mechanism if Hungary blocks the approval of further EU financial aid to Ukraine, dozens of Czech personalities have urged in a joint letter to Prime Minister Petr Fiala ahead of this week’s European Council summit. Read more.

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BERLIN

German government faces broad backlash for budget cuts. The German government has been heavily criticised for announcing a mix of spending cuts and tax rises to fill the €60 billion hole in the country’s “climate and transformation fund” left by a constitutional court ruling. Read more.

Germany’s Scholz warns of crumbling Ukraine support ahead of EU summit. In unusually frank words towards Hungary, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced concerns over stalling Ukraine aid efforts and floated the idea of relaxing unanimity voting requirements in the Council on Wednesday, ahead of a crucial EU summit in Brussels. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron reiterates call for full, lasting EU support for Ukraine, accession. The European Union should support Ukraine’s EU integration as Europeans should be “ready to give Ukraine full and long-lasting support”, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated his position on the matter as Slovenian counterpart Robert Golob joined him in Paris on Wednesday. Read more.

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BERN

Swiss traditional parties block Greens from newly elected government. The Swiss Parliament reelected on Wednesday all incumbent members of the Federal Council, the Swiss government, with members from the four traditional governing parties – blocking the hopeful Greens out. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME | TIRANA

Albanian court suspends controversial Italian migrant deal. The Albanian Constitutional Court has announced the suspension of ratifying the approval of the migrant agreement between Italy and Albania, scheduled for Thursday, after the opposition filed a case claiming the deal violates the constitution and international conventions to which Albania is a party. Read more.

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MADRID

Weber accuses Sánchez of ‘dividing Europe’, council presidency failures. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, “applauded by Hamas terrorists”, have contributed to the “division” of Europe, EPP leader Manfred Weber told a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday. Read more.

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LISBON

EU Commission only partially OKs Portugal’s last requests for post-pandemic funds. The European Commission has only partially approved Portugal’s last two requests under the Recovery and Resilience Plan [PRR], Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa announced on Wednesday, because President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had vetoed reforms on professional associations. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

Tusk heads to Brussels as potential advocate of Balkan EU candidates. Newly appointed Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived in Brussels on Wednesday for the EU’s Western Balkans summit, with Polish media speculating that he could become an advocate of EU accession for the Balkan region. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia urged not to undermine public broadcaster’s independence. The Slovak government’s recent decision to cut state funding to public broadcaster RTVS by 30%, its plans to split it into separate radio and television companies, and Prime Minister Robert Fico’s promise to “go after” its director general was heavily criticised in an open letter from Reporters Without Borders and other press freedom organisations. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria begins demolition of Soviet Army monument. The Bulgarian government has begun demolishing the iconic Soviet Army monument that has dominated much of the landscape in the centre of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, for nearly 70 years, a move the Russian Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria will later pay for. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: European Council convenes to discuss latest developments in Ukraine, Middle East, long term budget 2021-2027, and more;
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosts Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Greenland Múte Bourup Egede, Prime Minister of Faroe Islands Aksel Vilhemson Johannesen; Participates in EPP Summit;
Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič participates online in European Initiative for Energy Security launch event;
Vice President Margaritis Schinas meets with President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach;
Vice President Vĕra Jourová hosts President of Partido Popular of Spain Alberto Nuñez Feijoo;
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in Global Refugee Forum 2023, hosted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in Geneva, Switzerland;
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli makes an online keynote speech for Accessible Europe ICT for all;
Parliament President Roberta Metsola participates in EPP Summit;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]