Parliament wants the Commission to propose legislation establishing a common definition of the crime of rape based on the absence of free, informed and revocable consent. In a report adopted on Tuesday by 447 votes to 160, with 43 abstentions, MEPs call on Member States that still define rape solely in terms of the use […]
The ‘Green Deal Goes Local’ Working Group is calling for greater clarity on green spending in the next EU budget
Members of the CoR’s ‘Green Deal Goes Local’ Working Group have called on the EU institutions to ensure that climate, energy and environmental priorities are properly integrated into the EU’s next long-term budget, so as to support the clean transition at local and regional level. This was the main topic discussed at their meeting on […]
Commission approves €440 million Spanish state aid scheme to support renewable hydrogen production
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, a Spanish state aid scheme worth €440 million to support the production of renewable hydrogen. This will be done through the European Hydrogen Bank’s ‘auctions as a service’ tool for the auction that closed in February 2026. The scheme will contribute to the objectives of […]
The Commission has presented a new Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 for a more equal, cohesive and prosperous Europe.
The European Commission presented its new Gender Equality Strategy for the period 2026-2030. The Strategy integrates gender equality into all aspects of life, both online and offline, from education and health to work and public life, and addresses modern threats such as cyber violence and risks related to artificial intelligence, which particularly affect women. Although […]
Commission approves €1.04 billion state aid scheme to support climate projects
The European Commission has approved, in accordance with EU state aid rules, a Danish plan worth €1.04 billion (7.8 billion Danish kroner) to support landowners who commit to voluntarily withdrawing agricultural or forestry land from production in order to reduce agricultural emissions. The Danish measure Denmark notified the Commission of its plans to support landowners […]
Parliament calls for the EU to continue taking action to combat cancer
Need for a specific EU health programme in the next long-term EU budget Improving access to treatment for cancer patients across Europe Reducing financial discrimination for cancer survivors In 2024, 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and 1.27 million died from the disease. MEPs want the EU to renew its political […]
Dialogue on security and defence between Jordan and the EU
On 4 February 2026, the first EU-Jordan Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Amman. The establishment of this Dialogue was agreed upon in the EU-Jordan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of January 2025. Following the first EU-Jordan Summit on 8 January 2026, the Dialogue is a further step in continuing to strengthen this key partnership, reinforcing […]
EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy – progress so far and challenges ahead
Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, hosted the third European Startup and Scaleup Forum in Brussels, bringing together founders, investors and other industry leaders from across Europe. Eight months after the adoption of the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the Forum provided an opportunity to take stock of implementation progress, assess early impact […]
MEPs warn of growing repression of activists abroad
On Thursday, the plenary urged the EU to respond to coercion and manoeuvres by authoritarian regimes to silence opponents and dissidents abroad. Human rights defenders are a fundamental pillar of democracy and the rule of law and are not sufficiently protected, say MEPs in an own-initiative report adopted by 512 votes in favour, 76 against […]