EU news in July 2019

What happened in the EU in July 2019?

The European Union agreed on the top posts. There is a new President of the European Commission, a new President of the European Parliament and a new President of the Council, representing the EU countries.

However, it isn't over yet. The whole Commission will have to be formed with one Commissioner per EU country, proposed by their government.

The President asked for one male and one female candidate per EU country, which is new. So the President will pick one of the two.


The new Commission's President - with journalists © European Union 2019 - Source : EP

Once all the candidates are found, they will be questioned in the Parliament. Afterwards, the Parliament will have to agree by majority for the whole Commission.

So this is what you'll see in the news in the coming months, together with Brexit. (article) (article)

Ah, Brexit. A new Prime Minister was elected in the UK. Meaning more instability. He will most probably go to the capitals of the EU to ask for concessions. Which he probably won't get - why would he? (article)

And at the end of October, the deadline for Brexit, we'll be back at square one. Either no-deal, or extra delay. Or another deal?

Also, even if some people think the EU isn't doing so well, here's an article with some counter-arguments.

Want this news in your inbox? Subscribe here.

EU news in April 2018

What happened in the European Union in April?

The United Kingdom is now paying more than it is receiving from the EU. Since the country is going to leave the EU, what should happen? Who will pay the 12 to 14 billion euro gap? Some think the EU's budget should be smaller - especially those that pay more than receive, like the UK now. Like the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria. Others think everyone should pay more. For example Germany and France (read more).


The budget Commissioner © EU, 2018 / photo: Jure Makovec

But the negotiations start with a budget proposition for many years from the European Commission (the EU's government). In this case, a budget from 2021 to 2027. On Wednesday 2 May, the Commission will propose it. After this proposition is made, the European Parliament and the EU countries will negotiate for a very long time. The Commission hopes to have the EU budget 2021-2027 ready by the elections in May 2019 (read more).

The European Parliament can invite political leaders for a chat. This time, France's president came. He said he wanted to work more closely together (read more, see the full videos here). But not all the leaders of the EU countries agree. For example, the Polish Foreign Minister wants more power for the EU countries and less for the central organisations like the Commission (read more).

In the Brexit negotiations, the main negotiator for the EU said there should be a real solution for the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. But the negotiators aren't agreeing by when. If there is no solution, Ireland and Northern Ireland will have difficulties to do business together. Now, there is no real border. So it would be strange for everyone if from one day to another, you will have border controls to get just across the border (read more).

Sexual harassment has been in the news for a while. But it doesn't only happen in Hollywood. That is why the EU has a specialised agency to fight it. Some of their employees made complaints at the agency... about being sexually harassed at the agency. Shame on you (read more)!

Keep up with the EU news on my Facebook page.
Want this news in your inbox? Subscribe here.
Get 50% discounts or even less on the best Amazon books about international politics.