Michel’s surprise: Is EU starting 2024 on wrong foot?

The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by EURACTIV.

In today’s news from the Capitals:

2024 started in Brussels with a surprise: European Council President Charles Michel unexpectedly stated that he would leave his post by July, opening the Pandora’s box of European politics earlier than anticipated, well before the June EU elections.

On Sunday, Euractiv’s Alexandra Brzozowski reported that this move will likely speed up procedures regarding the EU’s top job decision-making process.

Given that it’s unclear whether this move was coordinated with the liberal camp, it may be risky for Michel and beneficial for his political rival, Ursula Von der Leyen. Read more.

Meanwhile, take a look at Euractiv’s Aneta Zachová report from Prague suggesting that as Czechs remain divided over joining the Eurozone, the country’s central bank warns of the EU single currency’s “unpredictable” future.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

EU Commissioner Reynders eyes Council of Europe top job. The Belgian federal government will decide on Wednesday whether to support the candidacy of Belgian EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders to become the next secretary general of the Council of Europe. Read more.

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BERLIN

German farmers to protest Scholz government. Thousands of German farmers are expected to take to the streets on Monday to protest against government budget cuts as they aim to bring the country to a standstill by blocking motorways and city centres. Read more.

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PARIS

French economy minister promises drop in food prices for 2024. The French will see prices of some foods drop this year, French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Sunday, addressing wide-felt concerns after last year was plagued by rising food prices. Read more.

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VIENNA

Austria boasts Europe’s second-greenest power sector in 2023. Austria generated 87% of its power from renewable sources in 2023 following record years of solar panel expansion, putting it behind Luxembourg in the EU rankings. Read more.

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BRUSSELS

Belgium’s most radical parties spend the most on social media campaigns. With Belgians set to vote in several key elections this year, the country’s most radical parties had most significantly increased their budgets for political campaign advertising on social media over the past year, a recently published study has found. Read more.

NORDICS & BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden’s major security conference starts with talks on NATO, Ukraine, terrorism. The annual Folk och Försvar security conference in Sweden kicked off on Sunday with discussions on the country’s expected NATO membership, a new counter-terrorism strategy, and a thank you message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Beach ownership, regional elections cause headaches for Meloni. Upcoming regional elections and the long-running dispute between Brussels and Rome on beach ownership will dominate Italian politics in the coming months, with the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (ECR), along with Matteo Salvini’s Lega (ID) and Antonio Tajani’s Forza Italia (EPP), due to take key decisions at an upcoming summit that could threaten the government’s stability. Read more.

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MADRID

Catalan separatists threaten to shake up Sánchez government. The Catalan separatist party JxCat, whose support Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez needs to pass legislation, has threatened to vote down the government’s new anti-inflation package in parliament this week, which, if confirmed, would trigger the first major crisis of confidence between Sánchez and the separatists. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

Czech National Bank warns of Eurozone’s uncertain future. Czech politicians debating whether to adopt the euro should consider the rather “unflattering” economic situation in Eurozone countries as the group’s future remains uncertain, a report published by the Czech National Bank (CNB) reads. Read more.

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WARSAW

Polish parliament speaker to push to remove immunity of sentenced ex-ministers. Following the two-year prison sentence handed to MPs Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik for their abuse of power in previous posts, parliamentary speaker Szymon Hołownia is pushing to revoke their mandates and deprive them of parliamentary immunity. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia implements new educational reform following ‘tragic’ academic results. Slovakia is implementing a curriculum reform after the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed a significant decline in the skills and performance of Slovak children, which Education Minister Tomáš Drucker has called a ‘national tragedy’. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

PRISTINA

Spain confirms recognition of Kosovo passports, not independence. Spain has confirmed that it now recognises Kosovo passports, allowing its citizens visa-free entry under the visa liberalisation that came into force for Kosovars in all Schengen countries on 1 January – though this does not amount to recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty, a Spanish source confirmed to Euractiv. Read more.

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SOFIA | BUCHAREST

Black Sea mine clearance initiative calls on other countries to join. NATO members Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey have invited other countries to join the upcoming Black Sea demining operation, a joint initiative to clear the sea of mines and ensure the safety of sea lanes, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry told Euractiv Bulgaria. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania’s health sector threatens general strike amid low wages, staff shortages. Romania’s healthcare sector is threatening to stage a general strike next month to protest the low wages and staff shortages that have plagued hospitals following the government’s decision to freeze the hiring process and cut healthcare funds last year. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Serbia’s ex-security chief admits ordering opposition leader’s arrest, silent on violence. Serbia’s US-sanctioned former intelligence chief Aleksander Vulin, who resigned as head of Serbia’s Security and Information Agency (BIA) two months ago, has claimed responsibility for ordering the arrest of opposition leader Nikola Sandulovic, without commenting on his brutal beating in custody, which has reportedly left him paralysed. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosts German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck;
Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas participates in “European solutions on the common challenge of migration” conference, in Athens, Greece;
Registrations open for Commission’s conference on “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan: Joining Forces”, scheduled for 31 January 2024;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]