Czech EPP, ECR parties form joint EU elections list

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On a mission to reshape Europe – 14 November 2023

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

PRAGUE | BRUSSELS

Czech political parties affiliated with the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) will form a joint candidate list for the 2024 European elections to counter populists and boost the chances of right-wing parties to outflank left-wing and Green forces in the EU parliament. Read more.

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BERLIN | THE HAGUE | ROME

EU governments slammed for abstention in UN Gaza ceasefire vote. The governments of Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Greece have been criticised by MPs, mainly from the opposition, for abstaining on a UN resolution urging Israel to implement a humanitarian ceasefire without condemning Hamas. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron paves way for France to become first to enshrine abortion in constitution. The French constitution will contain the right to abortion from next year, President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday, making France the first country to have such a right guaranteed by the constitution. Read more.

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VIENNA

Austria mulls ban on defacing flags amid spike in anti-Semitic behaviour. Banning the defacing of national flags following a huge spike in anti-Semitic behaviour in Austria recently is something being proposed by Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Sánchez says pardoning Catalan separatists only way to regain power. Pardoning Catalan separatists is the only way for Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez socialist PSOE party (S&D) to secure a majority to form a stable government, he insisted, indirectly admitting that passing an amnesty law for those involved in the 2017 secessionist attempt in Catalonia is key. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

PiS hunts for new opposition MPs to remain in power. The conservative ruling nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS, ECR) is trying to rope in newly elected opposition lawmakers to secure a majority in parliament to form a future government after being left without a parliamentary majority following the general election, Polish media report. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia’s Fico sets conditions for Ukraine’s ‘brutal financial aid’. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will support ‘brutal financial aid’ to Ukraine – despite his pro-Russian rhetoric – if he is given guarantees the money will not be misappropriated and some will be used to renew border infrastructure and support Slovak companies involved in the reconstruction. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria’s pro-EU parties score convincing win in local elections. Bulgaria’s pro-EU parties won convincingly in the country’s local elections, and the intrigue in the second round is between the two leading parliamentary forces – the coalition between We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) or GERB, the strongest party in local government. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romanian MEP to appeal EU court ruling on Schengen accession. Romanian EU lawmaker Eugen Tomac (PMP/EPP) said he would appeal the EU Court of Justice’s decision rejecting his case against Austria’s Council veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen bid. Read more.

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LJUBLJANA

Slovenia extends police checks amid terrorism, organised crime concerns. Slovenia has extended police checks at its border with Croatia and Hungary by another 20 days, until 19 November, citing concerns over terrorism and organised crime. Read more.

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BELGRADE

‘Serbia against violence’ opposition supporters to unite in elections. Various Serbian opposition parties will join together at the 17 December elections following cooperation in the parliament and the protest organisation ‘Serbia against violence’. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Informal meeting of tourism ministers to focus on improving industry’s competitiveness through transformation towards a sustainable model;
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski, in Skopje; Meets with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in Pristina;
Commission Vice President Vĕra Jourová visits the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre, in Bucharest, Romania; Holds meetings with President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister of Romania Ion-Marcel Ciolacu;
Vice President Margaritis Schinas meets with Peru President Dina Boluarte, Foreign Affairs Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi, Minister of Interior Vicente Romero Fernández, in Cusco;
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski participates in EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement negotiations, in Osaka, Japan;
Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra participates in Pre-COP28 Plenary Roundtable on “Pathways to 2030: What must a transformation that leaves no one behind look like?”, in Abu Dhabi, UAE; Attends Pre-COP28 Ministerial meeting for international climate talks; Meets South African Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy;
Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets President of French Senate Gérard Larcher;
Italy: France, Germany, Italy trilateral meeting on industrial policy;
UN: Security Council meets on Middle East;