On Tuesday, Parliament held the final vote on the new Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), following a deal reached between Parliament and Council on 23 April and 24 March respectively. The two bills aim to address the societal and economic effects of the tech industry by setting clear standards for how they operate and […]
Read MoreCouncil adopts negotiating mandate on two proposals to improve information exchange
To step up the fight against cross-border crime, the Council today adopted its negotiating mandates on a proposal regarding digital information exchange in terrorism cases and a proposal to establish a collaboration platform for joint investigation teams. These proposals are part of ongoing efforts to modernise and digitalise cross-border judicial cooperation, making it easier for […]
Read MoreThe Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts
Against the background of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Council notes the need to protect children facing armed conflicts and their consequences, in particular to protect them from recruitment by armed forces, trafficking in human beings, illegal adoption, sexual exploitation and separation from their families. Fighting child sexual abuse The Council calls on […]
Read MoreRight to safe and legal abortion must be safeguarded, MEPs demand
MEPs condemn the backsliding in women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide including in the US and some EU countries, calling for safe access to abortion. Following a plenary debate on Wednesday, MEPs adopted a resolution on Thursday by 364 votes in favour, 154 against and 37 abstentions reminding the United States Supreme Court that it […]
Read MoreCommission urges Member States to transpose EU copyright rules into national law
Last Thursday, the Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland over their failure to notify the Commission of transposition measures on copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions (EU Directive 2019/789). The Commission has also today sent reasoned opinions to Belgium, […]
Read MoreEurope agrees to strengthen competition in the digital field
The Council reached an agreement on its position (“general approach”) on the proposed Digital Markets Act. The proposal aims to ensure the competitiveness and fairness of the digital sector in order to promote innovation, high quality of digital products and services and high quality and choice in the digital sector. Online platforms that provide basic […]
Read MoreNew road charging rules adopted by Council
The Council today gave its green light for stronger and wider road charging rules (Eurovignette directive) to incentivise cleaner and more efficient transport operations. The revised law includes a new scheme to address CO2 emissions to reduce transport’s carbon footprint in line with the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. “These new road pricing rules and a […]
Read MoreState of the Energy Union 2021
Renewables overtake fossil fuels as the EU’s main power source Last Tuesday, October 26, the European Commission adopted the State of the Energy Union 2021 report in which, almost two years after the launch of the European Green Pact, it takes stock of the EU’s progress in the clean energy transition. While some trends are […]
Read MoreIndependence of Polish judges
Commission asks European Court of Justice for financial penalties against Poland on the activity of the Disciplinary Chamber Yesterday, the European Commission took two separate decisions, both related to decisions of the Court of Justice and where the actions of the Polish authorities continue to undermine the functioning of the Polish justice system. First, the […]
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