By Martin Banks With 401 votes in favor, von der Leyen (VDL) will serve once more as the head of the EU’s executive. She was re-elected by MEPs in Strasbourg a secret ballot on 18 July. A majority of MEPs at the parliamentary plenary in France voted for her un the four mainstream groups: the […]
By Martin Banks MEPs will vote on Thursday to decide if Ursula von der Leyen serves another term as EC president. The former German defence minister has served as head of the Commission since 2019. The result of the keenly awaited vote by MEPs will be known later on Thursday. She faces competition from other […]
By Walid Ellafi, Mnister of State for Communication and Political Affairs of the Government of National Unity (GUN) of Libya based in Tripoli Irregular migration remains one of the most formidable challenges confronting even the most advanced and powerful nations globally. Despite ongoing international initiatives, substantial resources dedicated to addressing this issue, and significant advancements […]
By Marin Banks The European Union this week decides on its leaders and who will steer the 27-strong bloc for the next five years. With bitter wars still waging in Ukraine and the Middle East and countless other crises, the votes on EU leaders come at a pivotal time for both the Union and wider […]
By Martin Banks Two new items have been given “protected” status by the EU. This comes after the EU Commission approved the addition of Cochinillo de Segovia and Twente to the protected list of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The first comes from Spain while Twente wine is from the Netherlands. Cochinillo de Segovia is meat […]
By Martin Banks A former UK MEP said a key meeting this week is a chance to “restore the UK’s tattered European credentials.” The fourth meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) takes place on Thursday. It is a collective launched after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that was the brainchild of the […]
By Martin Banks A decision on the next president of the EU commission will take place in Strasbourg next week. In the run-up to the recent European elections, the EPP Group elected Ursula von der Leyen as its Spitzenkandidat to become the next President of the European Commission. She is also the EU Member States’ […]
By Martin Banks On Thursday, French MEP Valerie Hayer, leader of Renew Europe grouping in the EU parliament, reportedly said that “the Hungarian prime minister is undermining positions adopted by the European Union and acting contrary to our interests and it has to stop.It is time to rein in Viktor Orbán’s rogue presidency of the […]
By Denis MacShane, former UK Europe Minister Britain’s new Prime Minister has the same age as Clement Attlee, Labour’s most famous premier (1945-51). It was Attlee who transformed Britain by nationalising most industries, creating a health service which even today is free for every citizen, making trade unions partners in industry and giving India and […]
By Martin Banks There is a pressing need for countries and international organisations to understand better how existing international law can help them address serious concerns about the militarisation of outer space, a new study says. Space is an increasingly militarized domain, with the potential to be a source and place of armed conflict. Nations […]
