EU, US elections widen Italy’s Meloni-Salvini ideological rift

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

ROME

The ideological gap between Italian Prime Minister and Fratelli d’Italia leader Giorgia Meloni (ECR) and her coalition partner Lega leader Matteo Salvini (ID) continues to widen, notably over their global allegiances and the upcoming US and EU elections. Read more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

Eurogroup says new fiscal rules will require public spending cuts. The European Union’s new fiscal rules will require a reduction in net government spending next year, but critical investment needs will remain paramount, Eurozone finance ministers said on Monday. Read more.

European Commission to recommend Bosnia and Herzegovina start accession talks. The European Commission is expected to recommend on Tuesday that Bosnia and Herzegovina start accession talks as a part of its path to European Union membership, according to people familiar with the matter. Read more.

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BERLIN

‘We are a car country’: German conservatives commit to reverse combustion engine ban. Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU continues pushing to reverse the controversial phase-out of internal combustion engine cars by 2035, despite the demand being dropped from the European People’s Party election manifesto. Read more.

German liberals send defence expert into tripartite EU election leadership team. The European liberals’ three-person lead candidate team will include the German defence policy expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann on behalf of ALDE, her party has announced. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron defends strict conditions of ‘French-style’ model for assisted dying. A ‘French-style’ bill on assisted dying will be presented to France’s Council of Ministers in April, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed in an interview on Sunday, underlining that it will function differently from similar laws in other EU countries. Read more.

NORDICS & BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden makes it ‘home’ as flag hoisted at NATO headquarters. Two years after Sweden applied to join NATO, its flag was raised at the military alliance’s headquarters on Monday, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson saying, “We have come home”. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

LISBON

Portugal’s outgoing finance minister hopeful new government will maintain stability. Financial rating agencies have no reason to worry about Portugal’s future financial stability, outgoing Finance Minister Fernando Medina said on Monday, as he expressed hope that the centre-right Democratic Alliance, which won a narrow victory in Sunday’s elections, would maintain its “commitment” to keeping the country’s finances stable. Read more.

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MADRID

EU’s Johansson dismisses need to reform Frontex. There is no need to reform the EU’s 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, and other issues related to rescuing or protecting migrants. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

Polish FM acknowledges NATO presence in Ukraine, Kremlin responds. After the Polish foreign minister stated that NATO forces are present in Ukraine, the Kremlin responded by stating it would be ‘pointless’ to deny the fact. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

PRISTINA

Serbia sets up dinar ATMs near Kosovo border. The Post Office Bank of Serbia has opened four makeshift bank branches, Jarinje, Bernjak, Konculj, and Merdare border crossing points, where it says Kosovo Serbs can withdraw payments from the Serbian government, such as salaries and pensions, in dinar. Read more.

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SOFIA

‘Yes, Bulgaria’ party to apply for membership in EPP. The Yes, Bulgaria party, a key part of the ruling majority in the country, has decided to apply for membership of the European People’s Party (EPP). Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania’s ex-PM tops REPER’s EU candidate list. Former prime minister and leader of the Renew Europe group Dacian Cioloș will head REPER’s EU election list, followed by party co-presidents Ramona Strugariu and Dragoș Pîslaru. Read more.

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ZAGREB

EPPO’s Chief Laura Kövesi becomes hot topic in Croatian election campaign. EU Prosecutor Laura Kövesi has become one of the hot topics in the Croatian election campaign due to the latest dispute between the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Andrej Plenković’s government. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Economic and Financial Affairs Council convenes to discuss Recovery and Resilience Facility, EU budget, G20 follow-up, and more;
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen chairs College of Commissioners meeting; Participates in Parliament’s plenary debate in preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 March 2024;
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli meets with UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, in New York, United States; Joins ministerial roundtable on good practices for strengthening institutions and maximizing financing to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; Participates in EU-BE side event on “Harnessing Social Protection to tackle Poverty and Empower Women and Girls”;
Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders participates via videoconference in an event on the EU consumer policy with suggestions for the future Consumer Agenda organised by the German Greens;
Parliament’s Plenary votes on Industrial Emissions Directive, Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, and more; Debates European Freedom Act, Artificial Intelligence Act, EU climate risk assessment and more;

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