Marking the International Day of Democracy and the European Year of Youth, the European Commission launched yesterday the Youth Political and Civic Engagement Cohort to support young people in promoting democracy locally and globally. The European Commission is one of the co-leaders of the Cohort along with the governments of Nepal and Ghana, the European […]
SOTEU 2022: Commission moves to ban products made with forced labour on the EU market
The Commission has proposed to prohibit products made with forced labour on the EU market. The proposal covers all products, namely those made in the EU for domestic consumption and exports, and imported goods, without targeting specific companies or industries. This comprehensive approach is important because an estimated 27.6 million people are in forced labour, […]
Parliament adopts new rules on adequate minimum wages for all workers in the EU
The minimum wage should ensure a decent standard of living EU rules to respect national wage-setting practices Collective bargaining to be strengthened in countries where it covers fewer than 80% of workers Right to redress for workers, their representatives and trade union members if rules are violated Minimum wages in all EU countries should allow […]
General Court upholds million-dollar fine against Google for unfair competition with Android
The General Court largely upholds the Commission’s decision which found that Google had imposed unlawful restrictions on Android mobile device manufacturers and mobile network operators for the purpose of strengthening the dominant position of its search engine. In order to better assess the gravity and duration of the infringement, the General Court reduces Google’s fine […]
SOTEU 2022: Commission proposes emergency market intervention to reduce bills for Europeans
The Commission is proposing an emergency intervention in Europe’s energy markets to tackle recent dramatic price rises. The EU is confronted with the effects of a severe mismatch between energy demand and supply, due largely to the continued weaponisation by Russia of its energy resources. To ease the increased pressure this puts on European households […]
Head of Training and Learning Research and Analysis Sector
The European Union Agency for Asylum (hereinafter “EUAA”), established by Regulation (EU) 2021/23031 , is a centre of expertise by virtue of its independence, the scientific and technical quality of the assistance it provides and the information it collects and disseminates, the transparency of its operating procedures and methods, its diligence in performing the tasks […]
New rules for companies to help limit global deforestation
To fight global climate change and biodiversity loss, Parliament demands companies ensure that products sold in the EU do not come from deforested or degraded land. Plenary adopted its position on the Commission proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products with 453 votes to 57 and 123 abstentions. The new law would make it obligatory […]
LIFE: Technical support to clean energy transition plans and strategies in municipalities and regions
Objective The topic aims to provide local and regional authorities with the necessary capacity to deliver and implement plans and strategies for the clean energy transition. To successfully support the achievement of European energy and climate targets, transition plans and strategies need to be institutionalised, cross-sectoral and tailored to the level of innovation, ambition and […]
State of the EU: Ukraine, energy, climate change, economy
In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work in the past year and its upcoming plans. Opening the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “It is a special honour to have Olena Zelenska with us on this important day. We are here against an alarming […]