The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from the Capitals:
WARSAW
Poland’s conservative PiS party, known for its hardline approach to migration during its rule, has proposed a nationwide referendum on the EU migration pact, just days after Prime Minister Donald Tusk came under fire from his own coalition for proposing a tougher migration strategy for the country. Read more.
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PARIS
Le Pen says low MEP assistant turnout in Brussels was just her party ‘doing politics’. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen defended herself in court on Monday in a case investigating allegations of the misappropriation of funds granted to MEPs, insisting the assistants were just doing politics. Read more.
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VIENNA
Austrian president delays government formation amid far-right FPÖ cooperation rejection. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen is set to delay granting a government formation mandate as no party is willing to cooperate with the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) despite its victory in the last general elections. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
First Italian migrant ship heads to new processing centre in Albania. Albanian migrant processing centres set up by the Italian government are set to welcome the first guests on Wednesday as an Italian Navy vessel, Libra, set off from Lampedusa on Monday. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain to send fiscal adjustment plan to Brussels. The Spanish government will send its first structural fiscal plan to the European Commission on Tuesday, a document containing concrete commitments to bring the country’s public accounts into line with new European fiscal rules in the coming years. Read more.
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LISBON
Portugal promises fast implementation of the recovery plan. In its first plan under new EU budget rules, Portugal’s government has promised the European Commission a recovery and resilience plan with “increased implementation speed” and sustainable finances despite the “particular challenge” of reformed economic governance. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
PRAGUE
Czechia hopes EU’s commissioner hopeful Kubilius will offer practical action on defence. Czech officials have expressed hope that former Lithuanian prime minister Andrius Kubilius, the man tipped to join von der Leyen’s team as European commissioner for Defence and Space, will put an end to Europe’s “dreaming” on defence and push for more practical action. Read more.
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BUDAPEST
Hungary and Gazprom in talks for extra Russian gas for Budapest in 2025. Hungary and Russia’s Gazprom are negotiating a deal for additional gas supplies next year to Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told Russia’s RIA news agency in remarks published on Tuesday. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
WESTERN BALKANS
Berlin Process summit: Western Balkan EU accession ‘must not take another 10 years’. Ten years after the Berlin Process was launched to accelerate the EU accession of Western Balkan states, the slow speed of the rapprochement was a key issue at the jubilee summit in Berlin, underlined by the dragging resolution of regional blockades. Read more.
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SOFIA
Bulgaria not an unconditional supporter of Western Balkans’ EU integration. Bulgaria will not give unconditional support to the EU integration of the Western Balkans, amid constant conflicts between the institutions in Sofia and Skopje, caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, said in Berlin on Monday. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: General Affairs Council convenes to discuss October European Council, fight against antisemitism, and more;
- Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council expected to discuss wholesale electricity prices, winter preparedness, state of energy union, and more;
- Second Accession Conference with Albania highlights include functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, economic criteria and more;
- High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell participates in EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (EU-GCC) summit; Delivers keynote speech at S&D group conference on Middle East and Two-State Solution;
- Cohesion and Reforms Commission Elisa Ferreira delivers keynote speech at Just Transition Platform event;
- Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders holds videoconference call with UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle;
- Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit meets representatives from Central European Trade Union Network;
- Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli delivers opening speech at G7 Inclusion and Disability meeting, in Umbria, in Italy; Meets with British Minister on Disability Stephen Timms; Meets with US special advisor Sara Minkara;
- International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen visits Dakar, Senegal, with Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation Eva Granados Galiano;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Mandilara]
Source: euractiv.com
