Euractiv +
For individuals
Euractiv Pro
For corporations
Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics?
Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations?
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Czechia being ready to negotiate AI chip export limits with the US, Bulgaria being on the verge of having a cabinet, and so much more.
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The reform, which will take effect from the academic year 2026-2027, introduces the study of the Bible in primary schools alongside classical epics, including Norse mythology, and shifts the focus of history teaching to Italy, Europe and the Western world. [Massimo Di Vita/Archivio Massimo Di Vita/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images]
Languages: Polski | Czech | Spanish 2025
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from The Capitals:
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara announced a sweeping reform of the country’s primary and secondary school curricula, which opposition parties criticised as retrograde and overly nostalgic. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
German Greens slammed over social security reform proposal. Critics say that the German Green’s chancellor candidate, Robert Habeck’s proposal to pay social security contributions on capital gains could reduce Germans’ already low appetite for investing in capital markets. Read more.
///
VIENNA
Austria ‘should really leave’ EU, says far right MP in secret video. At a beer-fueled meeting of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party this week, members of parliament referred to Afghan refugees as “knife-wielding sex offenders” and to the EU’s “repression of speech”, hidden camera footage has revealed. Read more.
NORDICS & BALTICS
Sweden looks to crack down on dual-citizen gang members. Sweden’s centre-right government and its far-right ally want to change the country’s constitution to strip dual nationals involved in gang crime of their Swedish citizenship. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
Meloni announces new cable to tap into Albanian hydropower. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced today a deal with Albania and the United Arab Emirates to build an underwater power cable across the Adriatic, connecting Tirana and Rome. Read more.
///
MADRID
Spain insists on Israel’s ‘complete withdrawal’ from Lebanon. Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanon, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said while announcing Madrid’s donation of €10 million to the Lebanese armed forces as part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Read more.
///
NICOSIA
Biden ‘breaks’ arms embargo on Cyprus. US President Joe Biden has decided to include Cyprus in three defence programs even though it is still subject to ITAR restrictions. The White House announced that the move would strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace.
In Nicosia, government sources explained that the decision boosts the Cypriot army’s deterrence capability and its relationship with the US military system.
Biden’s decision comes ahead of an informal meeting on the Cyprus problem in mid-March in Switzerland between Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the leadership of the island’s occupied territory with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
EASTERN EUROPE
Russia planned ‘acts of terror’ in the air, Poland’s Tusk says. Russia planned “acts of terror” against aircraft in Poland and elsewhere, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Wednesday. Read more.
Poland, Ukraine move on exhumations deal of WWII-era massacre victims. Hailed as a ‘breakthrough’ in relations, the deal signed by Poland and Ukraine to resolve a historical dispute over wartime exhumations could pave the way for even closer cooperation. Read more.
Poland’s proposal for gene edited crops stirs up legal debate. Warsaw is pushing for new rules for innovative biotech crops, but its controversial proposals on patentability have left small farmers and the seed industry worried. Read more.
///
PRAGUE
Czechia ready to talk AI chip export limits with US. The Czech government has signalled its willingness to negotiate with the US over newly announced export controls on AI chips. Read more.
///
BRATISLAVA
Fico government targets Slovak student over pro-Ukraine gesture. Slovak government officials have criticised a young student who refused to shake hands with President Peter Pellegrini at an official ceremony while wearing a pro-Ukrainian ribbon on his jacket – a gesture widely praised by pro-Ukrainian and anti-government sections of Slovak society. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
Bulgaria on the cusp of getting a government. After four years of failing to form a viable government and repeated snap elections, Bulgaria is on the verge of having a cabinet, although last-minute surprises are always on the horizon. Read more.
///
BUCHAREST
Far-right push to suspend Romanian president dubbed ‘destabilisation’. Romanian far-right parties AUR and POT announced their intention to start procedures to suspend President Klaus Iohannis from office, a move political scientist Cristian Pîrvulescu says has minimal chances of success and is primarily aimed at destabilising the country. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Parliament President Roberta Metsola hosts Palestinian Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Mustafa;
- Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera participates in Bruegel event on “Clean Industrial Deal”;
- Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič receives European Climate Foundation President and CEO Laurence Tubiana;
- Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath holds meetings with International Criminal Court (ICC) First Vice-President Rosario Salvatore Aitala, Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler, Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan; Meets Executive Director of the Register of Damage for Ukraine Markiyan Kliuchkovskyi;
- Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis delivers opening address to high level conference on “Closing the data gaps on climate change”;
- Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos on official visit in Podgorica, Montenegro: holds meetings with President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, and more;
- Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs votes on European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) appointment.
***
[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
Languages: Polski | Czech | Spanish 2025
Updated: 16-01-2025
Romania flags ‘national security risk’ in sale of energy company to Hungary
Debate over including lobbying in ESG reporting heats up
Italian opposition calls school reform ‘tool of mass control’
Far-right push to suspend Romanian president dubbed ‘destabilisation’
Bulgaria on the cusp of getting a government
Czechia ready to talk AI chip export limits with US
German Greens slammed over social security reform proposal
Spain insists on Israel’s ‘complete withdrawal’ from Lebanon
Italian opposition calls school reform ‘tool of mass control’
Can the EU ban social media platforms and how does it work?
Far-right push to suspend Romanian president dubbed ‘destabilisation’
16/01/2025
3 min. read
Bulgaria on the cusp of getting a government
16/01/2025
3 min. read
Czechia ready to talk AI chip export limits with US
16/01/2025
2 min. read
Fico faces backlash on Russia as Slovak opposition unites
15/01/2025
5 min. read
Spain taxes tourism to save housing
14/01/2025
5 min. read
Spanish PM attacks ‘global far-right’ axis, eyes Brazil’s support
13/01/2025
5 min. read
