Poland pressed to change recovery plan as EU funding at stake

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

WARSAW

A total of 43 out of 56 investments under the Polish recovery plan may not be implemented before the end of August 2026, which would result in them not being financed with EU funds, according to an analysis by business consultancy CRIDO. Read more.

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BERLIN

Germany’s Scholz rules out Taurus long-range missiles delivery to Ukraine. Pushing back against domestic pressure, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz openly spoke out on Monday against the delivery of Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, citing the risk of Germany becoming involved in the war. Read more.

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PARIS

Qatar Emir to meet Macron in Paris to discuss Israel-Hamas war. The Emir of Qatar, Tamim ben Hamad Al-Thani, will make his first visit to Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he will meet French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the Israel-Hamas war. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

COPENHAGEN

Danish police close Nord Stream investigation, no reason given. The Danish investigation into the Nord Stream 1 and 2 explosions has been closed, the Danish authorities announced on Monday, less than a month after Sweden did the same, but gave no details as to why. Read more.

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STOCKHOLM

Sweden ready to enter NATO, clears last Hungarian hurdle. Hungary gave its green light on Monday (26 February) for Sweden to join NATO, thereby removing the final hurdle and paving the way for Sweden to become the military alliance’s 32nd full member. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Sardinian elections to test Meloni-Salvini’s balance of power. The upcoming election for a new regional governor in Sardinia on Sunday is likely to have repercussions at a national level, as both centre-right and centre-left candidates are currently neck-and-neck. Read more.

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MADRID

Close to one in three Spaniards at risk of poverty, official study warns. The rate of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Spain reached 26.5% in 2023, while the share of those living with “severe material and social deprivation” reached 9%, the highest rate since 2015, an official revealed on Monday shows. Read more.

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LISBON

Portuguese election outcome could delay recovery, resilience plan. Implementation of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan could be delayed by a general election result that either force prolonged negotiations or create political instability, rating agency DBRS warned on Monday. Read more.

Portuguese farm boss: Brussels protest pointless if EU rules don’t change. The farmers’ protests in Brussels mean nothing if lawmakers fail to follow up with concrete EU regulation, Luís Mira, secretary-general of the Portuguese Farmers’ Confederation, said in response to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s speech laying out a “set of intentions”. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

BUDAPEST

Hungarian president resigns as parliament immediately votes in successor. Hungary’s now ex-president Katalin Novák, embroiled in a pardon scandal, officially ceased to be head of state when the country’s parliament accepted her resignation and immediately elected her successor. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Southeast Europe’s largest nuclear project lacks EU companies. South Korean company Hyundai appears to be the favourite to build units VII and VIII of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant, which is set to become the largest nuclear project in Southeast Europe after the Bulgarian parliament ensured that competition was eliminated. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

One in 10 Romanian host families can meet the basic needs of Ukrainian children. Only 10% of parents hosting Ukrainian refugee children in Romania can meet all their basic needs, while 26% can meet most of their needs, and 60% can meet only some or part of their needs, according to an analysis carried out by Save the Children Association throughout February. Read more.

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ZAGREB

Zagreb-Belgrade spat continues. Less than two weeks after Belgrade and Zagreb entered a spat over the burning of the effigy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the carnival in Kaštela, Croatia, the diplomatic row continued over the weekend. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen chairs College of Commissioners meeting; Holds meetings with Co-Chairs of The Left Group -GUE/NGL Manon Aubry and Martin Schirdewan, Co-Chairs of the Greens/EFA Group Terry Reintke and Philippe Lamberts;
Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis participates in 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Joins first working session on Fisheries Subsidies and second working session on Agriculture; Participates in Friends of International Trade Center dialogue on “Supporting a more connected, sustainable and inclusive multilateral trading system”;
Vice President Vĕra Jourová meets with Czech Commissioner for Human Rights Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková;
Vice President Dubravka Suica participates in Parliament’s plenary session debate on driving licenses;
Parliaments plenary votes on establishing Ukraine Facility, transparency and targeting of political advertising, shipments of waste, nature restoration, protection of journalists and human rights defenders from unfounded or abusive court proceedings, establishing Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, and more;
Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola holds meetings with Secretary of State for European Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for European Affairs of Italy Raffaelle Fitto; Signs memorandum of understanding with President of European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Oliver Röpke;
Czech Republic: PM Petr Fiala hosts counterparts: Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Poland’s Donald Tusk, Slovakia’s Robert Fico;
Israel: Municipal elections;
Qatar: Foreign ministry spokesman Majed Mohammed al-Ansari addresses Israel-Palestinian hostage negotiations;
G20: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds press conference on meetings priorities;