Italy, Poland feign bond over migration

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

ROME | WARSAW

During a trip to the convention of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in Warsaw, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni bonded with her Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki over the fact that as two leaders from countries on the bloc’s external borders, they understand the problems that come from irregular migration. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands face uncertain future: report. The Dutch cabinet must provide greater clarity on the future perspectives for Ukrainian refugees currently staying in the country, notably regarding their residency status and return home, the Advisory Council on Migration (ARM) wrote in a report published on Wednesday. Read more.

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BERLIN

Berlin budget fight heads to parliament. The German government has adopted a first draft for the 2024 budget following days of public clashes, leaving parliament members to continue fighting over budgetary lines for political projects like parental leave and the green transition. Read more.

Germany struggles to adapt to new role as immigration country. Germany is undergoing a cultural shift from restrictive immigration regulation towards actively recruiting skilled labour abroad but is struggling to make the country welcoming for foreign workers, German Labour Minister Hubertus Heil said on Wednesday. Read more.

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PARIS

Macron mulls social media shutdowns to contain civil disorder. French President Emmanuel Macron, struggling to contain another bout of violent protests across the country, met with mayors on Tuesday and reportedly suggested the idea of regulating or limiting access to social media, depending on the severity of threats, including riots. Read more.

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VIENNA

Austria gears up to fight EU Commission’s gene editing proposal. The Commission’s proposal to loosen rules on certain new genetic techniques (NGTs) on Wednesday was strongly condemned by Austrian governing parties, opposition, and environmental organisations who fear it could threaten the country’s large organics sector. Read more.

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BRUSSELS

Belgium condemned for misconduct in managing asylum crisis. The Belgian State and the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil) were condemned by the Brussels French-speaking Court of First Instance for their ordinary misconduct in the management of the asylum crisis, Belga reported on Wednesday. Read more.

UK AND IRELAND

LONDON

UK strengthens foreign policy, defence cooperation with Poland. The 2030 Strategic Partnership – aimed at strengthening their foreign policy, security, and defence cooperation – was signed by the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace alongside Poland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Zbigniew Rau and National Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak on Wednesday. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden’s air traffic nearing pre-pandemic levels. Travel to and from Sweden’s airports increased in June by 11% for international flights, which is about 82% of pre-pandemic levels, while domestic travel increased by 10% over the same period, according to Swedavia chief Jonas Abrahamsson- news that won’t tally well with the country’s Green Deal ambitions Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spain’s left could govern despite PP win, fresh poll predicts. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE party could govern alongside the new progressive platform Sumar even though the centre-right party, Partido Popular (PP/EPP), is primed to win the upcoming general elections and gain a significant number of seats in parliament, a new survey by state-owned Centro for Sociological Investigations (CIS) revealed on Wednesday. Read more.

VISEGRAD

PRAGUE

Visegrad divided on migration policy despite past alliances. The times when the Visegrad Group united on EU migration policy are now long gone as only Poland and Hungary continue to voice their opposition to the Council’s recently proposed relocation scheme while Czechia and Slovakia back it. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovak parliament backs Chair who admitted to domestic violence. Not enough lawmakers were present at the vote on the motion Wednesday to dismiss parliament chair Boris Kollár, who has admitted to physically assaulting the mother of his two children until she was unconscious and said he would do so again. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Borissov gives up parliamentary immunity amid money laundering case. Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB, Bulgaria’s largest party and central to the governing coalition, has given up his parliamentary immunity as he faces an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering, dubbed ‘Barcelonagate’. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romanian parties predicted to face tight EU elections race. Romania’s four main political parties will likely tie in next year’s EU election, with far-right party AUR expected to make the most gains compared to the previous 2019 election, according to predictions made by INSCOP Research. Read more.

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LJUBLJANA

Slovenian businesses can rely on Balkan labour, must be more proactive, pay better. Attracting workers from Balkan countries requires companies to be more proactive and offer better pay, the National Employment Service said on Tuesday, dispelling the idea spread by businesses that workers from Balkan countries will not meet Slovenia’s growing labour needs. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Serbian police minister survives no-confidence vote proposal. With a final tally of 148 MPs against, 37 voted for, and seven abstentions, members of the parliament did not adopt the proposal for a vote of no confidence against Police Minister Bratislav Gašić on Wednesday. Read more.

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TIRANA | PRISTINA

Albanian PM refuses to be drawn on Kurti’s meeting snub. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama refused to comment on his Kosovar counterpart Albin Kurti’s refusal to meet him as a part of his Western Balkan tour, instead saying he will comment on the situation from Pristina on Thursday where he is set to meet President Vjosa Osmani instead. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni on official visit to Moldova;
Budget and Administration Commissioner Johannes Hahn hosts President of the European Economic and Social Committee Oliver Röpke;
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in exchange of views on the migrant boat shipwreck off the coast of Greece with the European Parliament LIBE Committee;
Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers keynote speech at the 1st Eurogas Annual European Renewable Gas Conference on “European Renewable Gas: Evolution or Revolution?”; Speaks at EU Space Policy Forum;
Germany: Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock holds press conference with Morocco counterpart Nasser Bourita;
Belgium: Turkey Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan and Sweden Foreign Affairs Minister Tobias Billstrom hold talks on NATO membership at alliance HQ;
China: World Artificial Intelligence Forum;
Morocco: International conference on water and climate; 1st international green hydrogen conference;
UN: Security Council meeting on Iran nuclear issue;