Justice

INFOGRAPHIC: EPP is third largest party at EU summits

As EU leaders gather today (17 March) for yet another summit, trying to fix the migrant crisis, successive elections in member countries have dwarfed the largest political force in the EU following the 2014 European elections.

The European Peoples’ Party, who is the largest in the European Parliament with 251 MEPs out of the total of 751, is now the third force, by the number of its heads of state and government sitting at the summits. The most influential leader of the EPP is without any doubt the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Socialists and Democrats, who have 190 MEPs, are now the number one force at summits.

But perhaps more surprisingly, the liberals, who have only 70 MEPs in the European Parliament and are the fourth largest political group there, are now the second largest force at EU summits.

INFOGRAPHIC: Who’s behind bars in EU prisons?

Brussels cancels New Year’s fireworks, festivities over terror threat

Belgian authorities on Wednesday cancelled the annual New Year's Eve festivities and fireworks in the heart of Brussels after revealing an alleged jihadist plot to attack the capital during the holiday.

Polish parliament passes controversial amendment to top court law

Poland's lower chamber of parliament passed a constitutional court law amendment yesterday (22 December) that the supreme court and activists said would undermine the separation of power and paralyse the constitutional court.

190 tonnes of illegal pesticides seized by Europol

Around 190 tonnes of illegal pesticides have been discovered at airports and harbours in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, Europol on Friday (18 December). EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

France targets ‘low-cost’ terror financing at UN

France's finance minister is pushing for global standards to prevent small, anonymous money transfers believed to be used to finance attacks such as Islamic State's assault on Paris in November.

EU leaders silent on growing risk of an ISIS chemical attack

Plans to address the risk of a terrorist attack with non-conventional weapons are not part of the EU summit on 17-18 December, despite the growing risk of a such an attack by ISIS on European soil, according to analysts and EU institutions.

The cruel fate of the youngest refugees

Children may end up being the hardest hit victims of the refugee crisis. UNICEF's photo of the year illustrates their plight quite vividly. EURACTIV’s partner Tagesspiegel reports.

Dutch Presidency to take over task of shaping EU’s border force

Unable to decide on establishing a “European Border and Coast Guard”, EU leaders on Thursday (18 December) tasked the incoming Dutch Presidency to move forward with the divisive issue.

Poll: Support swells for Sweden’s extreme right

Though the number of refugees arriving in Sweden has dropped by 60% since tougher asylum policies were adopted in November, the far-right Sweden Democrats are receiving unpecedented levels of support, according to a new poll.

Austria calls for less money for uncooperative member states

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann has called upon the EU to allocate the Central and Eastern member states with less money next year should they continue to block the relocation of refugees. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU protests US limitations to visa-free travel

European diplomats, led by EU Ambassador to Washington David O'Sullivan, have warned of potential retaliation against the United States, after Congress passed a bill excluding EU travelers deemed by Washington to be a risk.

‘Like-minded countries’ hold mini-summit with Turkey

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will explore new possible ways to admit Syrian refugees to Europe at a mini-summit with Turkey, and several EU leaders of the ‘like-minded countries’ today (17 December), as she struggles to control a migrant crisis that has split the 28-nation bloc.

Jailed Romanian media mogul to be released early – for writing eight books

Dan Voiculescu, a former politician and founder of Romania's Intact Media Group, sentenced to ten years in prison for money laundering, has had eight months of his sentence commuted, after he wrote a number of books. EURACTIV Romania reports.

France eyes European system to track terrorism finance

In the absence of better cooperation from Washington, France wants European countries to set up their own system to track terrorism finance.

Greece sceptical, but won’t veto Commission’s border force plan

The Greek government disagrees with two crucial “points” of the European Commission’s plan for a new border force to be discussed at the two day summit starting on Thursday (17 December), but opposing a veto has been ruled out. EURACTIV Greece reports.

Finland sets sights on exemption from EU gun ban

Finland said on Wednesday (16 December) it would demand some exceptions from planned European Union restrictions on the use of firearms, citing national defence needs.

Juncker stakes leadership on Schengen survival

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today (16 December) staked his leadership on preserving the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, saying member states had to adopt controversial plans for a new border control force.

Brussels unveils controversial plan for EU border force

The European Commission unveiled plans Tuesday (15 December) for a new border and coastguard force that can intervene even without the host country's consent, saying it had to restore security threatened by the migration crisis.

Frontex cannot say if Turkey stemmed refugee flow

EU leaders will meet tomorrow (17 December) for a 2-day summit with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu, and make further overtures to his country. However, at this stage it is impossible to say if Turkey’s commitment to halt the influx of refugees has made a difference.

Merkel receives support from coalition allies

The leader of Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies hailed her "first class" leadership on Tuesday (15 December), seeking to draw a line under a coalition dispute that blew up last month when he publicly denounced her handling of Germany's refugee crisis.

Poland demands apology after Schulz calls judicial changes ‘coup’

European Parliament chief Martin Schulz yesterday (14 December) compared the political situation in Poland to a "coup", drawing the anger of the Polish government which is locked in a battle against the country's top court.