European Union

The EU should prepare for the implications of a no-deal Brexit on the future security partnership with the UK, the bloc's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, told the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee on Tuesday (2 April).

The European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have refused to answer detailed questions about the demand from the European Ombudsman to publish an Olaf report on a €400m EIB loan Volkswagen Group (VW) received through deception.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's AKP remains the strongest force in Turkey after local elections. But it was forced to admit defeat in the biggest cities. The opposition won in Ankara, Izmir and Antalya and scored a narrow victory in Istanbul. Some commentators see the result as heralding change. Others believe Erdoğan's grip on power is still rock solid for the time being.

The government in The Hague launched an initiative for reviving the negotiations on a pension reform, which have already gone on for eight years. The move came after pension funds threatened with cutbacks because they are running out of reserves. Commentators see the Netherlands' Polder model in which employers, trade unions and government representatives seek a consensus together as having reached its limits.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) is being strengthened in terms of staff and technical equipment. It is also being given a broader mandate to support member states' activities on border protection, return and cooperation with third countries.

Die AKP von Präsident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan bleibt nach der Kommunalwahl in der Türkei stärkste Kraft. Doch in den großen Städten musste sie Niederlagen einstecken: Die Opposition gewann in Ankara, Izmir, Antalya und knapp auch in Istanbul. Einige Kommentatoren deuten dies als Vorzeichen eines Wandels. Andere glauben, dass an Erdoğans Macht vorerst nicht zu rütteln ist.