German far-right works for EU’s ‘controlled dissolution’

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

BERLIN

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to make the controlled dissolution of the EU one of its key targets for the upcoming European elections, with its leader Tino Chrupalla calling Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán one of his main allies. Read more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

French slam choice of US economist for top EU job. The European Commission’s appointment of an American economist to a top job in its competition department has prompted a backlash from French politicians, with the digital minister “inviting the Commission to re-examine the matter”. Read more.

Parliament vote boosts EU green product rules, leaves out online sales. The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to strengthen the EU’s draft Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), but left out online sales from the scope of the regulation, to the disappointment of consumer groups and green advocates. Read more.

WESTERN EUROPE

THE HAGUE

Exodus from Dutch politics continues amid coarse discourse. The slew of politicians stepping down from their position continued on Thursday, as outgoing Finance Minister and party leader Sigrid Kaag (D66/Renew) announced she was leaving politics amid concerns over her safety. Read more.

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BERLIN

Technological independence is a key focus in Germany’s China strategy. Germany’s first-ever China strategy puts technology at the heart of its efforts to lessen dependence on Beijing in areas from raw materials supplies, critical infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity to counter-espionage and fighting disinformation. Read more.

Germany seeks to diversify economic ties to address ‘more assertive’ China. Germany wants to diversify its economic ties but not at China’s expense, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Thursday (13 July) as she presented the country’s first-ever strategy for dealing with Beijing. Read more.

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VIENNA

Austria aims to enter global chip plant race. Austria wants to become one of the EU’s leading countries in the chip industry and is banking on the EU’s Chips Act as the main vehicle for boosting semiconductor production, but is shying away from investing fresh public money in the sector. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

NORDICS

Nordics, US to cooperate on military, climate, vow continued support for Ukraine. The US and Nordic countries pledge to cooperate on military, climate and technology issues, Nordic leaders and US President Joe Biden said at a meeting in Helsinki as they pledged continued support for Ukraine and underlined transatlantic security. Read more.

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STOCKHOLM

Sweden to tighten conditions for family immigration. The Swedish government and the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats will push ahead with a proposal to tighten the requirements for family immigration aimed at reducing the number of crossings to Sweden, the government and the party that supports the government without being a part of it announced on Thursday. Read more.

NATO chief: All of Sweden is geographically important for NATO. Sweden will bring great benefits to the North Atlantic Alliance and the Nordic countries when it joins the NATO alliance, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Italy wants to reopen mines by year’s end. Italy plans to reopen mines that were closed 30 years ago in a bid to deal with the shortage of critical raw materials in the European Union, Italy’s Made In Italy Minister Adolfo Urso announced on Thursday. Read more.

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MADRID

Spain’s Sanchez accuses PP of ‘poisoning’ election campaign, fumes at postal voting criticism. The centre-right Partido Popular (PP, EPP) is trying to poison the political campaign in Spain by questioning the democratic transparency of the public postal voting system, Spain’s acting Prime Minister and Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez said on Thursday. Read more.

VISEGRAD

BRATISLAVA

Slovakian Electric cars will be cheaper than diesel ones by 2029. As emission norms continue to drive up the price of cars that run on fossil fuels, electric cars are becoming more cost-efficient, as people could save up to €2500 when buying the greener option five years ahead of the EU’s combustion engine ban, according to an analysis from the Slovak Institute for Environmental Policy. Read more.

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PRAGUE | SKOPJE

CEE ministers urge North Macedonia to seize EU enlargement momentum. The EU’s enlargement process has finally gained dynamics, and North Macedonia should use this momentum and take a step forward, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates, Greens affiliated) said in Skopje on Thursday. Read more.

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WARSAW

Polish politicians slam Nature Restoration Law over potential agriculture consequences. The Nature Restoration Law adopted by European Parliament on Wednesday, faced criticism by ruling camp and opposition Polish politicians, over the potential consequences it could have for agriculture and forestry. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

BUCHAREST

Romanian labour minister resigns in the wake of care centres scandal. Marius Budăi, the Romanian minister of labour and social protection, stepped down on Thursday in the first high-level resignation following the nursing home scandal near Bucharest that shocked the country. Read more.

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SOFIA

Bulgaria sends largest military aid package to Ukraine. The largest one-time military aid package – which includes 100 armoured vehicles from the Bulgarian police stockpile, mostly infantry carrier vehicles – was sent to Ukraine in what was Sofia’s first official decision to help Kyiv with heavy equipment, Bulgarian authorities announced on Thursday. Read more.

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BELGRADE

New ‘forum for protecting men’ divides Serbian public. The establishment of the Forum for the Protection of Men, which socialist politician Ana Grozdanović announced on Thursday, caused a lot of controversy in Serbia, as the country faced its 22nd femicide case this year. Read more.

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TIRANA

Arrest request of former deputy prime minister continues parliamentary odyssey. Albanian parliament will vote on lifting the parliamentary immunity of former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj on Friday, paving the way for his arrest, however, he is believed to have left the country. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Economic and Financial Affairs Council convenes to discuss EU support to Ukraine, customs reform, economic recovery, and more;
High Representative of the EU Josep Borrell participates in the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum, in Jakarta, Indonesia;
Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas delivers keynote speech on a new mediterranean strategy in Rome, during workshop co-organised by the European Commission Representation and the liaison office of the European Parliament in Italy;
Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds summer press conference on domestic policy and diplomacy; Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on official visit;
France: President Emmanuel Macron presides over Bastille Day celebrations; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues visit;
Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hosts Chilean President Gabriel Boric;
Czech Republic: Foreign Affairs Minister Jan Lipavsky and German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock meet in border villages;