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.
Before you start reading today’s edition of the Capitals, feel free to have a look at European dividends grow by 28.7% in Q2 2022 by János Allenbach-Ammann.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by EURACTIV.
In today’s news from the Capitals:
ROME
Italy’s progressive parties should join forces to prevent the extreme-right from coming to power as it would weaken Europe’s unity toward Russia’s aggression, Iratxe García, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), told EURACTIV Italy ahead of a crucial vote on 25 September. Read more.
///
BERLIN
Germany’s Baerbock calls nuclear extension ‘madness’ amid government split. Postponing the closure of nuclear power plants will not solve the current energy crisis and will come at a high cost, Germany’s Green Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned as the three-party government remains divided on the issue. Read more.
///
PARIS
France’s new EU minister in Bled to stand up for Europe, rule of law. France’s new Secretary of State for Europe, Laurence Boone, will present France’s vision of Europe and the rule of law at the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia on Monday, her entourage told EURACTIV France. Read more.
///
VIENNA
Austria calls to decouple gas, electricity prices. The Austrian government calls for decoupling gas from electricity pricing, arguing that the way the EU electricity market works means prices continue to rise due to record gas costs. Read more.
///
THE HAGUE
Dutch record highest solar radiation levels since 1970s. The Netherlands this summer has had the highest amount of solar radiation recorded since 1976, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KMNI) reported. Read more.
UK AND IRELAND
DUBLIN
Irish public split on NATO membership. There is a 52-48 divide amongst the Irish public over whether the country should join NATO or an EU army if one was created, though most said they back upping military spending, a survey published this weekend revealed. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ATHENS
MEP asks Europol to investigate ‘Predator’ scandal in Europe. Renew Europe MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld called on Europol to step in after a Greek newspaper revealed how the illegal spyware “Predator” is being sold on the black market to private citizens, not just governments. Read more.
///
MADRID
Spanish parents face highest back-to-school bill in five years. The start of the new school year will force Spanish parents to dig deep into their purses in September as households are expected to spend close to 5% more than last year on average per student – the most significant annual increase recorded in the past five years. Read more.
///
LISBON
Portugal calls for a ‘food contingency plan’. The Portuguese government presented its proposal for a contingency plan to prevent risks linked to food supply on the European market in crises to the European Commission. Read more.
VISEGRAD
BRATISLAVA
Slovakia boosts energy security with new gas pipeline, nuclear reactor. Slovakia will soon receive more liquified natural gas (LNG) and nuclear power following the launch of a new pipeline with Poland and the green lighting of a nuclear power plant last week. Read more.
///
WARSAW
Judges challenge Polish recovery plan. Four international judges’ organisations are challenging the Polish National Recovery Plan at the Court of Justice of the EU, stating Poland has not fulfilled the necessary requirements for acceptance and the judiciary remains vulnerable to negative influence from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party. Read more.
///
PRAGUE
Ukrainian children sign up for Czech schools. Fifty-seven thousand Ukrainian children and students have signed up to attend Czech schools in the new school year, according to Czech Education Minister Vladimír Balaš. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
BELGRADE | PRISTINA
Vucic remains defiant on Kosovo recognition, license plates. Following an agreement to remove all entry and exit documents for citizens of Kosovo and Serbia when entering each respective country, Serbian President Aleksander Vucic has been clear that it is not to be interpreted as recognition and issued another veiled threat toward Pristina. Read more.
///
SOFIA
Bulgaria arrests over 100 irregular migrants in one day. Bulgarian police on Sunday arrested a truck driver who had 88 irregular migrants from Afghanistan on board, while colleagues arrested another 53 migrants from Afghanistan waiting in a nearby forest. Read more.
///
ZAGREB
Croatia probes major gas-reselling scam involving top officials. Croatia has arrested five people, including a top lawyer and a senior manager at national oil and gas concern INA, suspected of having organised a scheme to resell INA’s natural gas to third parties at a premium and splitting the profits. Read more.
///
BELGRADE
Serbian government will be formed in September, says Brnabic. Serbia’s new government will be formed in September, Prime Minister-Designate Ana Brnabić told Prva TV on Sunday. Read more.
///
SKOPJE
Macedonian FM: Plans to convince citizens over Bulgarian inclusion in constitution. There are plans to convince Macedonians to include Bulgarians in the country’s constitution, which would open the way for EU accession as per an agreement struck between Skopje and Sofia, North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani has said. Read more.
///
TIRANA
Albania positive over Kosovo, Serbia deal, concerns over license plates remain. After Kosovo and Serbia reached a landmark deal concerning ID documents for citizens from each respective country, travelling to the other on Saturday, Albanian politicians have widely supported the news. Read more.
Agenda:
- EU: Informal meeting of EU defence ministers, EU Chief Diplomat Josep Borrell chairs.
- European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen meets Slovenian President Borut Pahor and Prime Minister Robert Golob.
- Germany: Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to debate ways of achieving a climate-friendly Europe.
- France: President Emmanuel Macron hosts Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, as Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne hosts her Luxembourgish counterpart, Xavier Bettel.
- Switzerland: Event marks 125 years since First Zionist Congress.
- Spain: Ryanair flight crew strike.
- Vatican: Pope Francis convenes a meeting of cardinals to discuss a new constitution.
- Czech Republic: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Prague.
- Slovenia: Von der Leyen speaks at Bled Strategy Forum.
- World: International Day Against Nuclear Tests.
***
[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Vlad Maksimov, Daniel Eck, Benjamin Fox, Zoran Radosavljevic, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Eleonora Vasques]
Source: euractiv.com
