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European Union
State of the Union: Ukraine's Kursk incursion is 'changing momentum'
This edition of State of the Union focuses on the ongoing Ukrainian incursion in Russia and the latest spat between the EU and Hungary over Budapest's easing of immigration laws to include Russian and Belorussian nationals.
European Union
State of the Union: EU elections plunge France into uncertainty
This edition of State of the Union focuses on the outcome of the European elections that led French president Macron to call for a national vote in a few weeks - plunging France into political uncertainty. Another topic: a week of intense diplomatic activity over Ukraine.
European Union
State of the Union: Europe's divisions over the Middle East
This edition of State of the Union focuses on the divisions within the EU over the Middle East, western hesitations to arm Ukraine, Moldova's growing ties with the EU and the release of a commemorative coin to remember D-Day.
European Union
State of the Union: Issues feeding anti-democratic anger
This edition of State of the Union focusses on three issues feeding citizens' anger with the establishment in the EU and beyond: possible nepotism in the EU Commission, infringement of free speech and Georgia's controversial "foreign agent" bill
European Union
State of the Union: Spanish stalemate, Frontex scrutiny & heatwaves
With summer well under way around Europe, the sun has started to set on the political season at large. Yet, we still have Spain, after the country’s politics was paralysed following the results of snap parliamentary elections last weekend.
European Union
State of the Union: Kyiv wants fighter jets, EU economy gets stronger
In a whirlwind tour of major European capitals, President Zelenskyy was trying to forge a “coalition of fighter jets” - something the West was so far unwilling to consider. Until now. This comes on the heels of Germany pledging an additional €2.7 billion of military aid.
European Union
The one discordant tone at the Ukraine conference in Lugano
n international conference in the Swiss city of Lugano agreed to a set of principles for re-building Ukraine, including the need for broad reforms to boost transparency and root out corruption. Leading the Ukrainian delegation was the country's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
European Union
Europe's week: EU manages Afghanistan withdrawal and Belarus sanctions
The week was mired by discontent among European Union countries. Train drivers in Germany went on another strike; Greek police clashed with participants of anti-vaccine rules protests; and in Poland, the public resistance against the country's controversial justice reform intensified.
European Union
Europe's week: AstraZeneca jab troubles and Turkey's diplomacy mistake
The European Medicines Agency said the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could potentially cause rare blood clots and Commission President von der Leyen got sidelined in Ankara. Here's a look at two key stories making the news in Brussels this week.
European Union
Europe's week: 'democracy is not a given, we have to protect it' says French MEP Loiseau
The political drama in the United States pushed the COVID situation out of the headlines – for a day or two. It also saw some soul-searching over whether the same divisions could be exploited in Europe.
European Union
Europe's week: Vaccine approval and a final dose of Brexit
With Christmas finally upon us this week, so was the welcome news of the EMA's vaccine approval. But failure to secure a Brexit agreement still plagued European leaders, as the continent shut its borders to the UK over fears of a mutant COVID-19 strain spreading further outside of Britain.
European Union
Covid-19 isolation, feminist fightback - the week in Europe
This week, we are looking at how Europe is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, we speak to FEMEN leader Inna Shevchenko about far-right patriarchy regression and female politicians, as well as a special moment with the Turkish president.
European Union
Bye-bye Britain: Brexit day is here
In this special edition we look at how British MEPs feel as they leave Brussels and what exactly will change in the European Parliament when they go. Aside from less Brexit drama, the loss of British voices and political representation could strengthen some and weaken others.
European Union
UK MEPs sit for last time in Strasbourg as Catalan duo make debut
There were mixed feelings among British MEPs this week as they sat in Strasbourg for the final time before Brexit. But there was delight among Catalan separatists after Carles Puigdemont and Toni Comin were finally allowed to take their seats.
European Union
COMMISSION IMPOSSIBLE
In our State of the Union this week, we report that Hungary and the UK are the two outstanding countries with no confirmed EU commissioner.
Meanwhile in Spain, political negotiations continue aimed at forming a government. Talks follow last Sundays inconclusive election result.
European Union
1989: Europe and the wall
In this special edition of State of the Union, we took out the red sofa to ask people about their thoughts on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, we speak to an MEP who lived through it as a young girl and look at the business of new walls in Europe.
European Union
From one circus to another
In this edition we look at how Commissioners-to-be had a delicate balancing act as MEPs grilled them on their possible portfolios and how new Brexit plans launched a new blame game. From political circus acts to real ones, we look at how European circuses want to be taken more seriously.
European Union
Brexit shaming, climate strikes and fresh elections
This week was an embarrassing one for Europe's leaders - from a podium shaming for Boris Johnson, to ex-Italy PM Matteo Renzi quiting the ruling democratic party, rocking the new government. And, the Spanish prime minister was tongue-tied as he faces fresh elections for the second time this year.
European Union
Brexit brinkmanship, new old faces and remembering WW2 in Brussels
For those of you who love to follow the Brexit drama, this week couldn't have been more gripping.Also this week, the hearings with the nominees for the EU top jobs began with arguably the most prominent candidate: Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF. That's in this edition of State of the Union.
European Union
Biarritz, hybrid threats and political therapy
Politically, it was a brutal end to this year's summer vacation, the G7 summit in Biarritz. Meanwhile, Belgium remains without a government. A private company launched a sort of a giant blind date to discuss the political divides. All this and more in State of the Union.
European Union
Was von der Leyen's charm offensive enough to get MEP approval?
Von der Leyen finished her meetings with political groups in Brussels, but it's unclear if she will win the absolute majority of votes in Strasbourg. In other news, Angela Merkel decided to change protocol to prevent her from shaking. All this and more in the State of the Union.
European Union
Marathon summit leaves Strasbourg reeling
The week was marked by controversies of behind-closed door deals and democratic deficits as EU leaders chose the next nominees to lead the continent into the next five years. It was also the first week new MEPs took up their seats and a fair few rhetorical fireworks ensued.
European Union
Under pressure: migration, corruption and Brexit weigh on EU countries
This week in State of the Union: another NGO boat in a Mediterranean standoff with Italy saw the EU Commission calling for migrants to be disembarked. A corruption report saw Hungary in the spotlight for refusing its publication, and we looked at how Brexit is affecting expats in Brussels.
European Union
Europe report card on climate and migration
This week we take a look at where Europe stands on climate and migration. After the EU elections returned a big result for anti-migrant parties, we see how far the EU has come on managing migration. The Greens also won big, but we are yet to see the impact on policy at this week's summit.
European Union
New far-right alliance in European Parliament
Before the European elections there was a lot of talk about a nationalist wave – well, that didn't quite materialize, but the far-right parties see themselves as a force to be reckoned with. This week they gave birth to a new parliamentary group.