The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by EURACTIV.
In today’s news from the Capitals:
BELGRADE
The European Commission should finally end its hypocrisy with autocratic Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and not just rely on his “private promises” to resolve the Kosovo issue, key opposition MP Borko Stefanović told Euractiv in an interview against the backdrop of elections deemed as fraudulent by observers.
He also stressed that Vučić hopes for Donald Trump’s comeback and “six, seven Orbáns” in Europe to survive politically and act as a “poor imitation of Tito”. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany’s ailing steel industry gets €2.6 billion to decarbonise. Germany’s steel production industry is struggling with high electricity prices, the sector confirmed as the European Commission approved a state aid package to further electrify the entire sector. Read more.
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PARIS
Le Pen claims ‘ideological victory’ after French lawmakers approve contested immigration bill. French lawmakers approved a hotly contested immigration bill on Tuesday, with both houses of parliament giving the go-ahead to a legislative overhaul that is much tougher than the government’s initial text: after heavy concessions to the right, severely curtails immigrants’ rights to welfare benefits and family reunification. Read more.
French businesses warn migrant workers are crucial for the French economy. It’s high time France adopted an “economic, selective and thoughtful immigration policy” as labour shortages grow across the EU, Patrick Martin, president of the business organisation Medef, told Radio Classique on Tuesday. Read more.
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PARIS | STOCKHOLM
Sweden, France strengthen cooperation on nuclear. France could soon build several nuclear reactors in Sweden, according to a letter of intent signed by the two countries’ energy ministers on the sidelines of the EU’s Energy Council on Tuesday. Read more.
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BRUSSELS
Belgium assembles specialised team to take on sepsis. Following years of advocacy efforts, Belgium is mobilising a specialised team as part of a national action plan to combat sepsis after a recent broadcast on Belgian TV on this life-threatening condition created waves in parliament, helping to push the national sepsis plan into action. Read more.
NORDICS & BALTICS
COPENHAGEN
Denmark signs major defence agreement with the US. Denmark will allow US troops to be stationed on its soil, according to a deal announced by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that marks a significant shift in Danish defence policy but mirrors similar agreements signed by neighbouring Norway, Sweden and Finland. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
LISBON
Sanchez says Portugal’s Costa still has a political future in Europe. Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa – who resigned after a probe and continues to govern until the election in March – can still play a role in European politics, Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez said on Tuesday, adding that he believes Costa’s party is still set to win the upcoming elections. Read more.
Portugal, Spain and France agree to boost energy links. Portugal, Spain and France will strengthen energy links, according to a memorandum of understanding that sets new priorities for the High-Level Group, signed with the EU Commission in Brussels Tuesday. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain’s Sánchez to meet with Catalan separatists, ‘normalise’ relations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez plans to meet key Catalan separatist leaders Carles Puigdemont and Oriol Junqueras ‘several times’ to ‘normalise relations’ with Catalonia’s pro-independence forces, despite previously and publicly denying such a meeting. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Tusk government drops idea to prosecute central bank chief. Polish Central Bank Governor Adam Glapiński, whom the new ruling majority accused of illegally supporting the previous government’s policies, will not be prosecuted, said Poland’s new Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Advisor to the Czech PM: ‘No good solutions’ for Gaza. There are “no good solutions” for Gaza, said Tomáš Pojar, security adviser and sherpa to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, in an interview for Ekonom magazine, adding that no state is willing to take responsibility for the territory. Read more.
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BRATISLAVA
Slovakia announces regional coal phase-out, set to save big. With Slovakia set to completely phase out coal mining and burning in the Upper Nitra region by year’s end and the EU supporting employment, entrepreneurship and the development of green resources in the area with €226 million, Slovakia is set to reduce electricity costs by over €388 million. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Bulgaria orders police to patrol with assault rifles over festive season. Bulgarian police will carry automatic weapons and sometimes be accompanied by police dogs to patrol crowded places in major cities during the Christmas holidays in a bid to instil a sense of calm and security among citizens, Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. Read more.
Bulgarians have the highest private healthcare costs in the EU. The Bulgarian state spends the lowest percentage of its gross domestic product on healthcare among EU countries, which leads to huge private co-payments for treatment by Bulgarian citizens and conflicts in the healthcare system, according to an investigation by Euractiv. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Romania’s political parties channelled large sums into media, advertising in 2023. Romania’s political parties allocated the subsidies they received from the state to the press and political advertising between January and October 2023, a report published on Tuesday by the Bucharest-based think tank Expert Forum reveals. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Informal video conference of economy and finance ministers discusses economic governance framework;
- Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Iliana Ivanova delivers keynote speech at Kyiv Horizon Europe Office launch; Hosts Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]
Read more with Euractiv
Romania’s political parties channelled large sums into media, advertising in 2023Romania’s political parties allocated the subsidies they received from the state to the press and political advertising between January and October 2023, a report published on Tuesday by the Bucharest-based think tank Expert Forum reveals.
Source: euractiv.com
