EU Presidency

Europe News

Poland inaugurates EU Council presidency

An opening gala was held at the National Theatre in Warsaw as Poland inaugurated its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it assumed on 1 January 2025.

03/01/2025

Europe News

Poland kicks off presidency of EU Council with an eye on security

Poland has taken over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months, following Hungary's controversial tenure.

01/01/2025

World News

Hungary's controversial presidency of the EU comes to an end

Poland gears up to take-over presidency of the European Union as controversial Hungarian term comes to an end.

31/12/2024

Europe News

Poland says it will maintain strict asylum policy during EU presidency

Over the last three years, Poland has faced a surge of attempted border crossings from Belarus, prompting stronger security measures and ongoing discussions over migration policies.

05/12/2024

Europe News

Budapest denies its newly-formed agency is intimidating civil society

The Sovereignty Protection Office has the power to gather information on any groups or individuals that benefit from foreign funding and influence public debate, and Hungary’s secret services can assist in its investigations.

15/07/2024

Radio Schuman

Will Orbán face consequences for his trips?

EU ambassadors will have a legal and political discussion during the Coreper meeting on Wednesday, 10 July, on the role of the Hungarian presidency in external relations.

10/07/2024

Europe News

Could Orbán face consequences for his world tour?

The Hungarian autocrat has popped up in in Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing just as his country takes over the presidency of the Council of the EU. But to what end?

09/07/2024

Europe News

After Moscow, Hungary's Orbán makes surprise visit to Beijing

Orbán has proclaimed himself the one EU leader on friendly terms with the world's two preeminent authoritarian governments.

08/07/2024

My Europe Series

State of the Union: Imminent famine in Sudan and Orbán's EU presidency

This edition of State of the Union focuses on the start of Hungary's rotating EU presidency and the ongoing humanitarian disaster in Sudan.

05/07/2024

Europe News

Hungary gears up to take over rotating EU presidency

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long been accused of dismantling democratic institutions and violating the EU's standards on the rule of law, leading the bloc's legislature in May to call for the presidency to be taken out of Hungary's hands entirely.

01/07/2024

Green News

Geothermal and nuclear energy among Hungarian EU presidency priorities

The upcoming Hungarian presidency’s work programme broadly reflects EU policy objectives, but it only refers once to 'renewable' and natural gas is openly listed for targeted funding.

21/06/2024

Europe News

Hungary won't rule out using veto during EU Council presidency

Hungary will use its veto power if necessary once it assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

11/04/2024

World News

PM De Croo sets out priorities for Belgium's EU Council presidency

Continuing financial aid to Ukraine will be a top priority as Belgium assumes the rotating presidency of the EU Council.

05/01/2024

Green News

Belgian PM downplays talk of environment policy pause

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo committed to the EU's broader environmental agenda as Belgium prepares to chair the EU Council, despite his renewed call to focus efforts on climate change

08/12/2023

My Europe Series

State of the Union: Madrid begins EU presidency & NATO summit nears

The annual meeting of allied leaders will take place in Vilnius next week.

07/07/2023

Europe Decoded

Pedro Sánchez's election gamble risks marring Spain's big EU moment

Spain is supposed to hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council between July and December.

30/05/2023

Europe Decoded

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has been touring Europe lately. Here's why

Spain has until the end of June to get ready before it takes on the rotating presidency of the EU Council.

10/03/2023

World News

Sweden promises to uphold fundamental European values as it takes over EU Presidency

Sweden has taken over the rotating presidency of the EU Council, for the third time since joining the bloc. The first major meeting will take place on Friday.

13/01/2023

Europe News

Expectations for migration deal low as Stockholm starts EU presidency

Sweden's government is propped up by the far-right and anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats.

12/01/2023

My Europe Series

State of the Union: What were the top stories in the EU this week?

Travel restrictions on people coming from China, Sweden takes over the EU presidency and some small inflation respite.

06/01/2023