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Nathan Gill's downfall raises questions over EU lawmakers' Russia ties

A former British MEP has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for taking bribes in exchange for Russia-friendly posturing in the European Parliament. The sentence comes as scrutiny of European lawmakers’ ties to the Kremlin intensifies.

Europe News

EU Parliament's centrist majority splits over deforestation rules

The European People’s Party wants to dilute and postpone a law prohibiting to import into the EU of goods that cause deforestation, but socialists and liberals will oppose them.

United Kingdom

Former MEP given jail time for making pro-Russia statements for cash

Gill was elected to the European Parliament in 2014 for the anti-EU UK Independence Party and later represented the Brexit Party.

Europe News

Meloni's party launches carbonara crusade in the European Parliament

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s party has cooked up a letter to President Metsola criticising the sale of "Italian-style" products in the Parliament’s supermarket in Brussels.

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Europe News

Fico looks into creating a new group at the European Parliament

The Slovak PM won't join any other political groups for the moment, according to a close ally. Instead, he is considering forming a new alliance with like-minded left-leaning parties that share anti-war rhetoric.

Europe News

Baby or ballot? Members of the EU Parliament won’t have to choose

A vast majority of MEPs approve proxy voting for pregnant legislators – but fathers are excluded to appease conservatives.

Europe News

How the EPP ushered in right-wing majority at the European Parliament

For the first time, a right-wing majority is emerging at the European Parliament as the European People's Party flirts with groups that would have been considered too toxic to work with in the past. The pivot has given the EPP a choice but also created a headache for Ursula von der Leyen.

Europe News

EPP teams up with far right to water down EU due diligence rules

The European Parliament approved a package to ease corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements. EPP teamed up with conservative and far-right MEPs to pass the law.

Europe News

EU lawmakers back cutting red tape under EU anti-deforestation law

The controversial law was supposed to come into force in December last year but the latest proposal would see its implementation delayed for a second time to late 2026.

Europe News

EPP blocks inquiry committee over spying allegations against Hungary

The European People's Party opposes setting up a Parliament's inquiry committee to investigate spying allegations against Hungary's secret services on the basis that it would only help Victor Orbán’s strategy to antagonize the EU. Progressives want to open the investigation immediately.

Europe News

CO2 emission cut by 2040 backed by Parliament's green committee

The vote cast by lawmakers in the European Parliament's environment committee keeps the flexibilities requested by EU governments but demands stricter rules on the use of global carbon credits.

Europe News

Von der Leyen offers minor concessions on EU budget to placate MEPs

Ursula von der Leyen has proposed changes to her €2 trillion EU budget to empower regional authorities and protect financing for rural areas. The tweaks look to stave off a parliamentary rebellion after a week of tensions.

Belgium

Taiwan's VP calls for closer EU ties in rare address in Brussels

EU member states, like most countries, have no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and follow the "One China" policy.

Brussels, My Love?

Brussels, My Love?: Understanding EU politics

Brussels, My Love? is back, but this time as a weekly podcast to help you navigate EU affairs.

Europe News

The European Parliament revolts against Commission budget proposal

Four political groups, including the European People's Party, send strongly-worded letter to Ursula von der Leyen asking for changes to the budget proposal. “The Parliament cannot accept this as a basis to start negotiations”.

Europe News

Thirty-five MEPs urge von der Leyen to push for Várhelyi's resignation

MEPs from four political groups asked von der Leyen to force Hungarian Commissioner Várhelyi to resign, following allegations of spying by Hungary’s foreign intelligence service.

Europe News

EU lawmakers plead UN body to go hard on wildlife trafficking by 2030

More data, better traceability schemes and stepping up enforcement are some of the measures backed by lawmakers to tackle wildlife trafficking ahead of the UN convention in Uzbekistan.

Europe News

European Parliament rejects simplified sustainability requirements

Lawmakers rejected part of a simplification package, as the centrist majority was defeated by nine votes

Europe News

EU lawmakers cut down proposed forest health data collection law

Rejection by the centrist lawmakers axed further negotiations on the draft law proposed by the EU executive for member states to monitor and report on forest conditions.

Europe News

MEPs call for end to EU support for all Libyan security forces

Nearly 40 members of the European Parliament from four political groups are urging an end to funding for all Libyan security forces, as violence at sea has dramatically increased in recent years.