Macron’s camp on alert as rival leftist EU list rises in polls

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

PARIS

The joint EU election list formed by the French Socialist Party and leftist “Place Publique” led by Raphaël Glucksmann scored 13% in polls published on Wednesday and could be a cause for concern within Macron’s Renaissance camp that their core voter base is shifting to the left. Read more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

EU in backstage talks to send Turkey a ‘positive’ signal in summit conclusions. In recent days, Germany has increased pressure to add to the EU summit conclusions a “positive” message for the future of EU-Turkey relations, something that Cyprus has not taken well, Euractiv has learnt. Read more.

EU auditors warn of ‘irregularity or even corruption’ in the bloc’s pandemic recovery fund. The EU’s auditing body has warned that the European Commission’s strategy of relying on member states to ensure the money in the pandemic recovery fund is properly spent heightens the “risk of irregularity or even corruption.” Read more.

Low appetite for EU liberals’ election campaign kick-off. EU liberals kicked off their campaign for June’s European election to a muted reception amid internal divisions that have forced the multi-party alliance to agree on a joint electoral programme of the lowest common denominators. Read more.

EU agrees to renew Ukraine trade benefits, but the deal is still in limbo. Though the European Parliament and the EU Council found a compromise to renew the trade liberalisation measures with Ukraine until June 2025, with an ‘emergency brake’ in case of excessive imports of key foods, EU Ambassadors postponed their final decision while the Parliament’s trade committee approved it. Read more.

UK & IRELAND

DUBLIN

Ireland’s Varadkar unexpectedly quits as PM. Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday he would step down as Ireland’s prime minister and the leader of the governing Fine Gael party in a surprise move he attributed to personal and political reasons. Read more.

NORDICS & BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Russian confrontation needs to be dealt with, says Swedish FM. Russia has significantly worsened Europe and Sweden’s security policy, and its confrontational approach must be dealt with, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström noted in his foreign policy statement to the Swedish parliament on the occasion of Sweden’s recent accession to NATO. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

LISBON

Socialists lose stronghold as centre-right Luís Montenegro appointed PM. Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has asked Luís Montenegro, leader of the centre-right PSD (EPP), to form a government during an audience held on Thursday night, putting an end to eight years of Socialist rule. Read more.

Costa given farewell gift by European Council. Portugal’s outgoing Prime Minister António Costa (PS) will receive a statuette alluding to the European Council’s headquarters at his last EU summit in Brussels after eight years in power. Read more.

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MADRID

Spain’s VOX hopes to ‘restore the sovereignty of nations’ in EU bid. Spain’s far-right VOX party, now parliament’s third-largest force, will launch its EU election manifesto, under the slogan “Europe Alive 24”, at its annual party conference on 18-19 May, party sources confirmed on Wednesday. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

Warsaw blames EU Commissioner Wojciechowski for farmers’ protests. Polish EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski is to blame for the problems that led to farmers’ protests in Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s office said in response to a letter the EU official sent to the prime minister, adding that he should “get on with his job”. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria investing over €295 million in key pipeline for Balkans. Bulgaria has decided to invest more than €295 million in the so-called ‘Vertical Corridor,’ a key initiative between seven Balkan countries’ gas transmission operators to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Read more.

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BUCHAREST| SOFIA

Bulgarians, Romanians will no longer need to show ID at internal EU air and sea borders. Bulgarians and Romanians will no longer be subject to checks when officially entering the Schengen Area at the EU’s internal air and sea borders from 31 March, although checks will still be carried out when crossing land borders. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

EU Commission concerned over Romania’s failure to implement recovery reforms. The European Commission issued a warning to Bucharest over the lag in implementing National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) measures, while Romanian minister Adrian Câciu emphasises the need for accelerated progress but applauds steps already taken. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: European Council convenes to discuss support on Ukraine, Middle East situation, defence, enlargement, migration, and more;
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers speech at Nuclear Energy Summit 2024; Participates in EPP Summit;
Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič gives online speech at WindEurope 2024 annual event; Participates in signing of Memorandum of Understanding between EU and Norway on sustainable land-based raw materials and battery value chain strategic partnership;
Vice President Margaritis Schinas holds meeting jointly via videoconference with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki;
Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers keynote speech at high level event on “Energy and Climate Governance in Ukraine – Towards Green Rebuilding”; Holds meeting with UK Under Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Andrew Bowie;
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski participates in debate on CAP future, organised by European Committee of the Regions Commission for Natural Resources;
Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič participates in high level event on health care protection in Gaza;
Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra participates in Copenhagen Climate ministerial meeting, in Copenhagen, Denmark; Holds meetings with COP29 President-designate Mukhtar Babayev, UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart, Alliance of Small Islands States (AOSIS) Chair and Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Cedric Schuster;
International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen speaks EU- Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) high level event on “Inclusive Human Development and Equitable Access to Health Products”;
Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Iliana Ivanova hosts Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union Mohammed Belhocine;
Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates in debate on “Strong social strategic agenda for Europe” in EESC plenary session; Participates in Pact for Skills Forum; Hosts Co-Chairs of Child Rights Action Group and representatives of Child Advisory Board;
Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with UN Secretary General António Guterres; Participates in EPP Summit;