European Union

The European elections in June will not only decide the future composition of the European Parliament, but also who becomes the President of the EU Commission. The heads of state and government must reach an agreement and the Parliament must give its consent. For the European press it is by no means certain that Ursula von der Leyen will secure a second mandate as president even if her EPP remains the strongest group in the Parliament.

In the wake of the Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel the situation in the Middle East remains tense. US President Joe Biden had urged Israel to show restraint. On Friday, there were explosions at an airbase in the Iranian region of Isfahan. Israel has not commented on speculation that this was an attack. Europe's press weighs up the situation.

The semi-autonomous Moldovan region of Gagauzia is consolidating its ties with Russia. It will join the Russian payment system Mir, and Moscow has authorised the import of Gagauz agricultural exports and promised cheaper gas deliveries, according to the region's governor Yevgenia Guțul, who belongs to the pro-Russian Șor party. Commentators debate whether Moldova is now at risk of losing control of a second region after Transnistria.

Poland is ready to host nuclear weapons on its territory, President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday (22 April), confirming he had been in talks on the matter with the US administration during a recent visit.

The fact that we finally have a law to ban products made with forced labour on the EU market is an immense achievement of this legislature. Shirts, shoes, or cars made by enslaved Uyghurs, Turkmens, or any forced workers have no place in our shops.

The European Parliament’s spokesperson will hold a last-minute briefing on the 22 - 25 April plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European Parliament’s spokesperson will hold a last-minute briefing on the 22 - 25 April plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Lead MEP Lara Wolters (S&D, NL) will brief journalists on the new rules for corporate sustainability through due diligence following the final plenary vote.
Committee on Legal Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Lead MEP Lara Wolters (S&D, NL) will brief journalists on the new rules for corporate sustainability through due diligence following the final plenary vote.
Committee on Legal Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel, 22-28 April 2024

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Lithuanian president saying Polish President Andrzej Duda's visit to Trump Tower has influenced Trump's stance on Ukraine, Czechia wanting to reintroduce a proposal to curb the travel of Russian diplomats within the Schengen area, and so much more.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Lithuanian president saying Polish President Andrzej Duda's visit to Trump Tower has influenced Trump's stance on Ukraine, Czechia wanting to reintroduce a proposal to curb the travel of Russian diplomats within the Schengen area, and so much more.