The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether Renfe may have abused its dominant position in the Spanish passenger rail transport market by refusing to supply all its content and real-time data to rival ticketing platforms. Renfe is the Spanish state-owned rail incumbent operator. Renfe sells its tickets offline and online either (i) […]
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European Parliament approves Europe’s first ever rules on crypto-assets
Parliament endorsed the first EU rules to trace crypto-asset transfers, prevent money laundering, as well as common rules on supervision and customer protection. On Thursday, MEPs approved with 529 votes in favour to 29 against and 14 abstentions, the first piece of EU legislation for tracing transfers of crypto-assets like bitcoins and electronic money tokens. The text […]
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European Commission publishes April infringement proceedings package for Spain
In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission takes legal action against Member States that have failed to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, which cover various sectors and policy areas of the European Union, are designed to ensure that EU law is correctly applied for the benefit of citizens […]
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The European Commission prolongs the block exemption regulation in the motor vehicle sector
The European Commission has prolonged the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (‘MVBER’) for five years, meaning that it will now be applicable until 31 May 2028. It has also updated the Supplementary Guidelines for the sector. The revised Guidelines will help companies in the automotive sector assess the compatibility of their vertical agreements with EU competition rules, while ensuring that aftermarket operators, including […]
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The General Court of the European Union introduces important changes to its rules of procedure
The General Court has amended its Rules of Procedure to make the best use of the Court’s time, in particular by clarifying or simplifying certain provisions. Those amendments also respond to certain needs, such as the possibility of using videoconferencing for hearings. They also foster proactive case management and take account of developments in the […]
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The European Commission proposes rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States in the face of increasing cross-border crime
Increasing cross-border crime has led to more and more cases where several Member States have jurisdiction to prosecute the same case. Parallel or multiple prosecutions can be inefficient and ineffective, but also possibly detrimental to the rights of the individuals concerned as a person may not be prosecuted or punished for the same offence twice. […]
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European Parliament identifies worrying trends in rule of law on specific issues affecting Spain, Greece and Malta
During a joint debate on rule of law issues last Thursday, MEPs discussed with Commission Vice-President Jourová recent events and allegations of democratic backsliding in Greece, Spain, and Malta. They also voted on a resolution comprising Parliament’s assessment of the Commission’s 2022 rule of law report and the overall state of EU values. Commission’s rule of […]
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European Commission takes action against Spain and other Member States to ensure transposition of EU directives
The Commission has adopted a package of infringement decisions due to the absence of communication by Member States of measures taken to transpose EU directives into national law. The Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to those Member States who have failed to notify national measures transposing directives in time. In this package, […]
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Council adopts a Recommendation on an adequate minimum income
The Council therefore recommends that member states provide and strengthen robust social safety nets by combining adequate income support through minimum income benefits and other accompanying monetary benefits, in-kind benefits, and by giving access to enabling and essential services. This Council recommendation aims to: Combating poverty and social exclusion, Pursueing high levels of employment by […]
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