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In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Bucharest mayor announcing his presidential run, a proposde €7,300 monthly pay increase for ministers causing uproar in Italy, and so much more.
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Blanár spoke at a press conference after the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Monday, where his country and Hungary vetoed sanctions against Georgian representatives. [EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK]
Languages: Polski | Czech | Spanish
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:
Slovakia opposes “hasty sanctions or interference” in the Georgian election results, said Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD/NI), criticising European Parliament for politicising the situation and pro-EU President Salome Zurabishvili’s refusal to step down. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
Scholz vs Merz: Election manifestos reveal competing visions for Germany’s revamp. With Germans set to vote in February, the two main parties will present their electoral manifestos on Tuesday, revealing divergent approaches to getting the country back on its feet. Read more.
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PARIS
Pharmaceutical leaders convene in Paris to unveil vaccine strategies. The main vaccine manufacturers will present their vaccine strategy to the Technical Committee for Vaccinations (CTV) at the offices of the French national health authority HAS in Paris on Tuesday. Read more.
NORDICS & BALTICS
Sweden ramps up criticism of Berlin in energy price feud. Germany should split its electricity price zone and allow for EU funds to go towards nuclear power plants, Sweden’s Energy Minister Ebba Busch said on Monday, adding fuel to a long-standing policy clash with Berlin. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
MADRID
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ROME
Last-minute budget changes, €7,300 minister pay rise, causes uproar in Italy. Last-minute amendments to the budget law, including one giving unelected ministers a monthly pay rise of over €7,300 each, have caused a stir in parliament. Read more.
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LISBON
Portugal in trouble with Brussels over residents’ free museum entry. The European Commission launched infringement proceedings against Portugal on Monday over “discriminatory rules” allowing only residents free access to museums, monuments and palaces 52 days a year. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
Berlusconi group in rumoured takeover of Polish top broadcaster. The MFE-MediaForEurope group, owned by Silvio Berlusconi’s family, has secured €3.4 billion in funding for potential acquisitions across Europe, with rumours of a possible sale of top private broadcaster TVN in Poland. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Czechia wants to delay ETS 2 until at least 2028. Czechia will seek to delay the EU’s new carbon pricing scheme for road and heating fuels known as ETS2 until at least 2028, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
Borissov starts government talks with EPP partners, pro-Russian and populist parties. Former Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov and his party GERB (EPP) announced on Monday that they would begin talks in Sofia to form a government to pull the country out of the long-running political crisis. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Bucharest mayor announces presidential candidacy. The mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan, announced on Monday night that he would run as an independent candidate in Romania’s presidential elections, scheduled for spring 2025. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Environment Council convenes to discuss plastic pellet losses, end-of-life vehicles, 2040 climate target, and more;
- General Affairs Council expected to continue preparations for next European Council meeting;
- Third Accession Conference with Albania held in Brussels to open negotiations on Cluster 6: External relations;
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Ankara;
- Parliament plenary debates toppling of the Syrian regime; Votes on Ombudsman election, date of application for Deforestation Regulation, and more;
- Parliament President Roberta Metsola presides over the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought Award Ceremony;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
Languages: Polski | Czech | Spanish
Europe, Central Asia under pressure to modernise water security infrastructure, reports World Bank
Bomb kills chief of Russian nuclear protection forces in Moscow
Ukraine ready to work out new deal for gas transit to Europe
Slovakia accuses EU Parliament of ‘interference’ in Georgia’s elections
Bucharest mayor announces presidential candidacy
EU moves towards suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats
Borissov starts government talks with EPP partners, pro-Russian and populist parties
Czechia wants to delay ETS 2 until at least 2028
Portugal in trouble with Brussels over residents’ free museum entry
Berlusconi group in rumoured takeover of Polish top broadcaster
Bucharest mayor announces presidential candidacy
17/12/2024
2 min. read
Borissov starts government talks with EPP partners, pro-Russian and populist parties
17/12/2024
3 min. read
Czechia wants to delay ETS 2 until at least 2028
17/12/2024
2 min. read
Polish ruling parties nominate different presidential candidates
16/12/2024
3 min. read
Italian court ok’s referendum on controversial autonomy law
13/12/2024
4 min. read
Donald Tusk Orbán-proofs Polish private media
12/12/2024
3 min. read
