Bulgaria tops global rule of law progress, Greece hits bottom

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

EUROPE

While European Union member states lead the way globally when it comes to the rule of law, particularly as much of the rest of the world is declining, Bulgaria and Slovakia made the most positive progress in 2023, while Greece and Belgium floundered at the other end of the scale, according to a new report by the World Justice Project. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Dutch anti-establishment newcomer party opposes further EU integration. The Dutch upstart anti-establishment party New Social Contract (NSC), which is currently leading the polls ahead of the upcoming general election, has vowed to oppose further EU integration in its election manifesto published on Tuesday while putting the option of negotiating opt-outs from EU policies on the table. Read more.

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BERLIN

Germany’s Habeck calls for ‘Zeitenwende’ on industrial subsidies. In a plea to coalition partners and the European Commission, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) called for more subsidies to secure industrial production and jobs. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron proposes ‘international coalition’ against Hamas. During a visit to Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron floated the idea of a coalition to fight Hamas modelled on the one that already exists against Daesh while also accepting Palestinians’ right to a territory. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Turkish parliament to ratify Sweden NATO bid, Hungary veto remains. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted a bill to the national parliament on Monday (23 October), approving Sweden’s application to join NATO, leaving only Hungary standing in the way of Stockholm’s final accession. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Italy earmarks €1 billion to boost dwindling birthrate. Inspired by the ‘Hungarian model’, the Italian government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has approved a new budget earmarking €1 billion to encourage an increase in birth rates and introduce a new range of measures to support families and women as a worrying downward trend threatens to undermine the national welfare system. Read more.

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MADRID

PSOE and Sumar sign coalition agreement, omit key point for Catalan backing. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and progressive Socialist leader and acting Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz overcame their disagreement over extending the working week and signed a coalition agreement on Tuesday which fails to mention the introduction of an amnesty law for those involved in the 2017 secessionist attempt in Catalonia despite it being essential for the Socialist candidate’s return to power. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

Czech FM: EU policy should focus on returning Crimea to Ukraine. Any speculation that Crimea could be traded off with Russia for peace is unsound and dangerous, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský said during the Crimean Platform parliamentary summit in Prague on Tuesday. Read more.

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WARSAW

Tusk to discuss unblocking EU funds for Poland. Opposition leader and potential future prime minister Donald Tusk set off to Brussels to discuss the chance to launch the nation’s recovery money, which was frozen due to the rule of law concerns in Poland. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Social media ‘unresponsive’ to disinformation requests ahead of Slovak election: report. Requests by the Slovak authorities for Meta to remove misleading and deceptive content ahead of elections at the end of September were met with an inadequate and ineffective response, according to a report on disinformation, which also calls for an EU-wide solution to force Telegram to comply with similar requests, published by the Interior Ministry’s Centre for Combating Hybrid Threats. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

LGBTQI activists in Bulgaria win harassment lawsuit against nationalist party. Bulgaria’s nationalist VMRO was found to have harassed the LGBTQI community in one of its Facebook statuses, with an administrative court ruling condemning the act of discrimination based on sexual orientation. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania should invest 3% of GDP until 2050 to develop decarbonised energy sector: report. Substantial investments of around €335 billion – about 3% of the country’s GDP – are required until 2050 to develop a decarbonised energy sector in Romania, according to the World Bank’s Country Report on Climate and Development for Romania (RTCD), which was unveiled during a climate change conference on Tuesday. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Serbia, Kosovo spar at UN Security Council. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, shared their perspectives on the situation in Kosovo at the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Read more.

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PRISTINA

EU to propose Serb association model as Kosovo digs in heels over Serb attack. The European Commission is set to present a new proposal for the Association of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo following recent meetings in Pristina and Belgrade, while Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has remained firm that Kosovo’s territory must remain intact. Read more.

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TIRANA

Berisha refuses to attend court as legal wrangles intensify. Former Albanian Prime Minster and President Sali Berisha did not attend court on Tuesday despite being ordered to appear on charges of corruption related to the privatisation of a former state-owned sports complex. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Tripartite Social Summit on “a successful European Economy for workers and companies”; Agenda highlights include addressing labour shortages, response to the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act, and more;
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers opening speech at Global Gateway Forum; Receives leader of Polish Civic Coalition Donald Tusk;
Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič hosts Prime Minister of Moldova Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Andorra Xavier Espot Zamora;
Vice President Vĕra Jourová speaks at “Fighting Disinformation and Regulatory Conundrums” event on “European and Global Perspectives”;
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski hosts Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama;
Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič meets Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina;
Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi hosts Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs of North Macedonia Bojan Marichijk, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco Nasser Bourita, Governor of Council of Europe Development Bank Carlo Monticelli;
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson exchanges views with Parliament’s LIBE Committee on child sexual abuse material (CSAM) regulation proposal;
Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit presents Commission communication on Digitalisation of Social Security Coordination at Parliament’s EMPL Committee;
Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli delivers opening remarks on gender equality in EESC plenary session, on the occasion of Parliament’s Gender Equality week; Holds meeting with EESC President Oliver Röpke;
Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson participates in the NATO Security Council; Delivers keynote speech at 28th “Oil & Gas of Turkmenistan 2023” conference, Ocean Energy Europe conference & exhibition (OEE2023), “Supply Chain Challenges and Solution on Wind Energy and Alternatives for the EU” summit organised by the Turkish Wind Energy Association;
Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn receives Head of Hungarian Integrity Authority Ferenc Bíró;
Sweden: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivers speech during NATO Industry forum;
Greece: Media presentation of new Maria Callas museum in Athens;
Slovakia: Robert Fico appointed Slovak PM by President Zuzana Caputova;