Новости за 19.02.2024

Hungary has stopped fellow EU foreign ministers from formally asking Israel not to attack Rafah, as Czech backing for Israel melts away.

The French government announced €10bn in further spending cuts. However, defence spending is set to increase significantly, up to €413bn from €295bn. €400m was cut to a fund meant for renovating schools, carpooling infrastructure and other regional environmental projects.

EU banks still operating in Russia are squirming to show they're abandoning their ever-more toxic client — but actions speak louder than words.

Fabrice Leggeri, the ex-Frontex boss who has now joined the French far-right National Rally, is a product of the internal contractions at the EU: the competing interests among EU states and a European Commission too weak to manage their demands.

The clock is ticking and MEPs want to agree new rules to update the EU's social security coordination, but the file has been left unfinished under 12 EU presidencies — and the Belgian presidency won't be the exception.

It's an astonishing proposition rooted in political interest rather than facts, with potentially dire consequences for all road users — especially for people who walk and cycle, warns the European Cycling Federation.

German conservative Ursula von der Leyen is seeking reappointment as European Commission president after the June elections. However, her leadership over the past years has triggered internal frustrations that cast uncertainty on her reelection.

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk last week revealed the Pegasus spyware had been used not only to monitor PiS's political opponents —but also PiS members of the party's leadership suspected of disloyalty.

EU foreign affairs ministers launch the bloc's new Red Sea naval mission, plus hold talks on new sanctions against Russia — amid Hungarian objections — on Monday. Plus a home for the EU's new anti-money laundering authority will be picked.