Manfred Weber (Germany, EPP) backed by 79% of his party members, launches his campaign across the continent for a position of the president of the European Commission, the powerful executive branch of the European Union, the guardian of the treaties, also possessing powers to propose laws and policies on its own initiative. Although there is no election for this particular position,…
Tag: EPP
“Absurd” accusations against Hungary
This morning, Hungarian Minister Gergely Gulyás (pictured) made it clear that the pro-immigration political parties in the European Parliament will stop at nothing to push their ideological agenda. In an information note on the Article 7 procedure Minister described their action as a ‘political accusation disguised as rule of law concerns’. “As a result of a…
EP president Tajani seeks to renew mandate
Incumbent president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani (Forza Italia) expressed his readiness to seek for the second mandate. “I think the EU institutions need an Italian at their head,” he told reporters during his attendance at European People’s party Helsinki congress. “I’m ready to stand again, if there are the conditions, obviously inside the…
MEPs nominate Sentsov for Sakharov Prize
This week the European Parliament president Antonio Tajani and the leaders of the political groups during the Conference of Presidents meeting will select this year’s winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from among the three finalists. The prize will be awarded in a ceremony in Strasbourg on 12 December. The biggest political group…
METSOLA: MEPs demand protection of press
Roberta METSOLA MEP (EPP, Malta) shares her views on freedom of press in the EU in framework of the relevant debate during Strasbourg April Plenary session. MEPs express their concern with assassinations of investigation journalists in Europe, and demand governments for better protection of whistleblowers. They also insist on independent investigation, including recent case of…
Orban to give up to Soros pressure
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban informed the EU’s center-right political group that his government would reconsider measures that were perceived by his own political family as an ‘attack on academic freedom.’ The pressure on Orban mounted after the visit of US financial wizard and philantropist George Soros to the European Commission. “Prime Minister Orban…
Tusk: will EU humiliate Poland?
Brussels. Talking to the EU journalists ahead of the Summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Beata Szydlo made clear that any pressure on Poland, even if in minority opposing over Donald Tusk second mandate as the president of the European Council , is unacceptable. Anyway it does not comply with the tradition of taking decisions in…
Europarl against foreign fighters
To counter the growing threats from “foreign fighters” travelling to conflict zones for terrorist purposes and “lone wolves” planning solo attacks, new EU-wide rules were approved by Parliament on Thursday. The new directive on combatting terrorism will update the current EU “framework” rules on terrorist offences and widen their scope to include emerging threats. “We…
EP: Tajani – Berlusconi's loyalist elected president
Antonio Tajani (63) (EPP, Italy), Silvio Berlusconi loyalist is to lead the European Parliament for the next two and a half years, being elected in an elaborate, but highly symbolical procedure in the fourth round by simple majority. The European People’s party (EPP) claimed the seat after the agreement was broken by the Socialists, who prolonged…
ALDE-Five Stars: marriage of convenience?
Serge Turbin OPINION The news from the European Parliament of The Five Star Movement (M5S, Italy) joining the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) puzzled many of Brussels pundits and experts. Moreover, the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC), ALDE’s youth wing, issued a statement condemning this move: “LYMEC understands the urge to grow…
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