The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from The Capitals:
PRAGUE
Russian nationals will have a harder time getting Czech citizenship following an amendment approved by the lower chamber of the Czech parliament on Wednesday, sparking accusations of discrimination. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
BERLIN
Berlin to abolish controversial gas transit fee with support from CDU leader. A controversial German gas tariff contested by central European countries will be abolished on Friday, following a plea by would-be German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Euractiv has learnt. Read more.
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PARIS
France’s Sarkozy must wear electronic tag after losing graft case appeal. France’s highest appeals court on Wednesday confirmed a verdict against former president Nicolas Sarkozy for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former head of state. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
Italy’s Tajani warns of ripple effect of France, Germany’s economic woes. Germany and France’s economic struggles could negatively impact Italy, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday, stressing the need to boost Italian industry. Read more.
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LISBON
European Commission highlights Portugal’s ‘strong budgetary position’. The European Commission on Wednesday highlighted Portugal’s “strong budgetary position”, adding that it found no weaknesses in the country’s social convergence. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
BRATISLAVA
Slovak minister: 3% GDP defence spending ‘unimaginable’. Slovakia raising its defence spending target to 3% of its GDP is “unimaginable”, Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD/NI), a figure suggested in an expert interview for Euractiv Slovakia. Read more.
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WARSAW
Tusk announces new asylum rules, renewed border control. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government on Wednesday adopted a package of migration and asylum draft laws, including the possibility of temporarily suspending asylum rights, sparking controversy in Poland and abroad. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Orbán comes to Bulgaria for praise and Russian gas. While Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will be praised for his role in Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership when he meets President Rumen Radev on Friday, Russian gas is expected to take centre stage. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Romania calls for fiscal, budget consolidation after Fitch downgrade. Romania needs fiscal and budgetary consolidation measures, Finance Minister Marcel Boloș announced on Wednesday, the day after Fitch Ratings downgraded its long-term debt outlook from stable to negative. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: European Council convenes to discuss Ukraine in the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Middle East, resilience and preparedness, migration, and more;
- Trade and Economic Security Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič holds video conference with Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Shri Piyush Goyal;
- Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis attends 6th G7 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG);
- Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica holds phone call with Foreign Affairs Minister of Tunisia Mohamed Ali Nafti.
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
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