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The European news you deserve to read. welcome to The capitals by EURACTIV.
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In today’s Capitals news:
Europe’s far-right political forces have reached a record level just months before the European elections, according to a new Europe Elects poll seen by Euractiv ahead of its publication on Thursday.
If the European elections were held today, the anti-European far-right political parties, which have united under the umbrella of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament, would win 87 of the 705 seats (they currently hold 60 seats). Learn more.
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EU INSTITUTIONS
Pharmaceutical industry boss: EU’s open strategic autonomy requires European health security law. A comprehensive strategy to build a European health security framework with a broad perspective for action should be at the heart of any effort regarding the EU’s open strategic autonomy from a health perspective, said Olivier Charmeil, vice -executive president of the General Medicine division of Sanofi, at Euractiv. interview. Learn more.
After COVID travel chaos, the European Commission aims to strengthen passenger rights. The European Commission presented updated rules on passenger rights on Wednesday in a bid to avoid a repeat of the confusion and frustration felt by passengers during travel disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
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BERLIN
The shortage of skilled workers in Germany is putting vital industries at risk. A serious talent shortage threatens the success of vital industries in Germany, according to an annual report from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), a trade association. Learn more.
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PARIS
MEP Michèle Rivasi, responsible for the “Pfizergate” affair, has died at the age of 70. Michèle Rivasi, the Green MEP who pushed for the text message exchanges between the president of the European Commission and the CEO of Pfizer to be made public, died on Wednesday at the age of 70 of a heart attack while She was going to the European Parliament in Brussels. Learn more.
The OECD warns that France’s deficit projections are too optimistic. The French government’s projections for deficit reduction are not realistic, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found in a report published Wednesday, saying France should “accelerate the pace of fiscal consolidation” . Learn more.
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VIENNA
The Signa Property Holding group files for bankruptcy. The economic empire of Austrian tycoon René Benko is bankrupt and filing for bankruptcy, the group announced on Wednesday, adding that operations would continue for the moment. Learn more.
NORDIC AND BALTIC
COPENHAGEN
Danish patrol ships do not meet NATO minimum requirements. Denmark’s promised contribution of patrol ships to NATO’s common defense does not meet the Alliance’s minimum requirements, according to former senior officers, despite repeated assurances to Danish politicians that the ships would respect this promise. Learn more.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
ROME
Rome loses to Riyadh in vote for next Expo 2030 site. The Bureau International des Expositions voted for Expo 2030 to be held in Riyadh, beating Italy and Busan, with some alleging corruption could have influenced the outcome. Learn more.
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MADRID
First moderate meeting between Puigdemont and PSOE in Geneva this week. The first meeting between representatives of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and an “international verifier” who will monitor compliance with agreements between the two parties will take place on Saturday in Geneva, sources on both sides told Reuters. EURACTIV. EFE partner. Learn more.
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LISBON
Portuguese Parliament approves state budget for 2024. The government’s draft law for the 2024 state budget (OE2024) was approved on Wednesday in a final overall vote in Parliament, with the Socialist Party voting in favor and the Book and PAN deputies abstaining. Learn more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
The PiS party’s investigation into Russian interference could be used against them. The commission created by the ruling PiS party to investigate ties between Russia and the government of former Prime Minister Donald Tusk could be used against PiS once Tusk returns to power, Polish media reported on Wednesday. Learn more.
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PRAGUE
Human Rights Watch criticizes Czech position on Israel-Gaza conflict. Andrew Stroehlein, European media and editorial director at Human Rights Watch, criticized some European states, particularly the Czech Republic, for what he perceives as a failure to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza during an interview Wednesday . Learn more.
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BRATISLAVA
Slovakia will extend the ban on Ukrainian agricultural products. Bratislava will further expand and strengthen rules for the transit of goods and has also banned the import of Ukrainian honey, sugar, malt and soybeans, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and party member Smer said on Wednesday , Richard Takáč. Learn more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Bulgaria joins the European Air Shield initiative with 11 other countries. A draft memorandum of understanding for the joint purchase of ground-based air defense systems under the European Air Shield initiative was approved by the Bulgarian government on Wednesday, making the country the 12th European country to do so. TO DO. Learn more.
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BUCHAREST
Romania bans newly approved European products, such as insects, in traditional recipes. On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies approved the ban on the use of foods newly authorized by the EU in the preparation of traditional Romanian products. Learn more.
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LJUBLJANA
Slovenia received an advance from the EU Solidarity Fund following the floods in August. An advance payment of 100 million euros from the EU Solidarity Fund for Slovenia’s reconstruction efforts after August floods was approved by the European Commission on Wednesday. Learn more.
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BELGRADE
Serbia must ensure equal protection between women entrepreneurs and employees. Serbia needs to urgently adopt regulations ensuring equal protection and benefits for women entrepreneurs, especially self-employed ones, and employed women, Digital Community board member Sofija Popara told Euractiv Serbia. Learn more.
AGENDA:
- EU: The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Council meets to discuss medicine shortages and the EU pharmaceutical strategy, as well as concrete measures to prevent and treat mental health problems;
- The General Affairs Council is expected to approve conclusions on the future of cohesion policy and discuss European strategic autonomy;
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers opening speech for clean transition dialogue with energy-intensive industries;
- Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Greenland Minister Naaja Nathanielsen sign a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership to develop sustainable value chains for raw materials;
- Vice-President Vĕra Jourová welcomes the Chairman of the Board of Confederation of AI Research Laboratories in Europe (CLAIRE) and Vice-President of the European AI Association, Holger H. Hoos;
- Deputy President Margaritis Schinas meets with Australian Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andres Giles, in Canberra;
- Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski participates in the second EU-Turkey high-level dialogue on agriculture;
- Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova attends EU Education Summit;
- Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, delivers a speech at the 8th edition of the “Cities and Regions for International Partnerships” forum;
- Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli delivers online keynote speech on European Day of People with Disabilities; Joins the annual Diversity Awards, as part of the Spanish Presidency events, in Madrid, Spain;
- Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, delivers opening speech at Ukraine’s Business Sector Conference on Green Recovery;
- Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton receives the Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries; Delivers keynote speech at the “Chips Act / Chips Joint Undertaking” launch event;
- Parliament President Roberta Metsola receives Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo;
- ECB President Lagarde attends banking supervision conference in Frankfurt, Germany;
- Austria: OPEC+ ministers meet to assess oil production;
- North Macedonia: 30th OSCE Ministerial Council;
- United Arab Emirates: International climate conference COP28;
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(Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara)
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