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In today’s Capitals news:
ROME | WARSAW
During a trip to the convention of European Conservatives and Reformists (CRE) in Warsaw, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approached her Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki on the fact that as leaders of countries located on the external borders from the bloc, they understand the problems that arise from irregular migration. Learn more.
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THE HAGUE
Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands face uncertain future: report. The Dutch government must provide more clarity on the future prospects of Ukrainian refugees currently staying in the country, particularly regarding their residency status and their return home, the Advisory Council on Migration (ARM) has written in a report released Wednesday. Learn more.
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BERLIN
The budget fight in Berlin is heading to Parliament. The German government has adopted a first draft of the 2024 budget after days of public strife, leaving parliamentarians to continue fighting over budget lines for policy projects such as parental leave and the green transition. Learn more.
Germany is struggling to adapt to its new role as an immigration country. Germany is experiencing a cultural shift from restrictive immigration regulations to actively recruiting skilled labor from abroad, but is struggling to make the country welcoming to foreign workers, said German Labor Minister Hubertus Heil on Wednesday. Learn more.
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PARIS
Macron plans to shut down social media to contain civil unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron, struggling to contain a new wave of violent protests across the country, met with mayors on Tuesday and reportedly suggested the idea of regulating or limiting access to social media, depending on the severity of the threats , including riots. Learn more.
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VIENNA
Austria prepares to fight against European Commission’s genetic modification proposal. The Commission’s proposal to relax rules on certain new genetic techniques (NGT) on Wednesday was strongly condemned by Austria’s ruling parties, opposition and environmental organizations who fear it could threaten the important biological sector of the country. Learn more.
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BRUSSELS
Belgium condemned for poor conduct in managing the asylum crisis. The Belgian State and the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil) were condemned by the French-speaking court of first instance in Brussels for their ordinary misconduct in the management of the asylum crisis, Belga reported Wednesday. Learn more.
UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
LONDON
UK strengthens foreign policy and defense cooperation with Poland. The 2030 Strategic Partnership – aimed at strengthening their cooperation on foreign policy, security and defense – was signed on Wednesday by British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace alongside the Polish Business Minister Foreign Ministers Zbigniew Rau and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak. Learn more.
NORDIC AND BALTIC
STOCKHOLM
Swedish air traffic is approaching pre-pandemic levels. Travel to and from Swedish airports increased in June by 11% for international flights, around 82% of pre-pandemic levels, while domestic travel increased by 10% over the same period, according to the head of Swedavia, Jonas Abrahamsson. This corresponds well to the country’s ambitions in terms of Green Deal Learn more.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
MADRID
The Spanish left could govern despite the PP’s victory, a new poll predicts. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s PSOE party could govern alongside the new progressive Sumar platform, although the center-right Partido Popular (PP/PPE) is poised to win the next general election and win a significant number of seats in Parliament, a new An investigation carried out by the state-owned Centro for Sociological Investigations (CIS) was revealed on Wednesday. Learn more.
VISEGRAD
PRAGUE
Visegrad is divided on migration policy despite past alliances. The days when the Visegrad Group united on EU migration policy are long gone as only Poland and Hungary continue to express their opposition to the relocation plan recently proposed by the Council while Czechia and Slovakia supports it. Learn more.
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BRATISLAVA
The Slovak Parliament supports the president who admitted to domestic violence. Not enough MPs were present Wednesday during the vote on the motion to impeach Parliament Speaker Boris Kollár, who admitted to physically assaulting the mother of his two children until she lost consciousness and said he would do it again. Learn more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Borissov waives parliamentary immunity in connection with money laundering case. Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB, Bulgaria’s largest party and central to the government coalition, has waived his parliamentary immunity as he faces an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering, dubbed “Barcelonagate.” Learn more.
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BUCHAREST
Romanian parties expect a close race in the European elections. Romania’s four main political parties will likely be tied in next year’s European elections, with the far-right AUR party expected to make the most gains compared to the previous elections in 2019, according to forecasts made by INSCOP Research. Learn more.
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LJUBLJANA
Slovenian companies can count on Balkan labor, must be more proactive and pay better. To attract workers from Balkan countries, companies need to be more proactive and offer better wages, the National Employment Service said on Tuesday, dispelling the perception held by businesses that workers from Balkan countries are not would not meet Slovenia’s growing labor needs. Learn more.
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BELGRADE
Serbian police minister survives proposed no-confidence vote. With a final total of 148 MPs against, 37 votes for and seven abstentions, MPs did not adopt the proposed vote of no confidence against Police Minister Bratislav Gašić on Wednesday. Learn more.
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TIRANA | PRISTINE
The Albanian Prime Minister refuses to be influenced by Kurti’s snub. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama refused to comment on his Kosovar counterpart Albin Kurti’s refusal to meet him as part of his Western Balkans tour, saying he would comment on the situation from Pristina on Thursday, where he is expected to meet President Vjosa Osmani. Learn more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni on official visit to Moldova;
- Budget and Administration Commissioner Johannes Hahn receives the President of the European Economic and Social Committee Oliver Röpke;
- Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson takes part in an exchange of views on the sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Greece with the European Parliament’s LIBE committee;
- Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson delivers a speech at Eurogas’ 1st Annual European Renewable Gas Conference on ‘European Renewable Gas: Evolution or Revolution?’ » ; Speaks at the EU Space Policy Forum;
- Germany: Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock holds a press conference with her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita;
- Belgium: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström discuss NATO membership at alliance headquarters;
- China: Global Forum on Artificial Intelligence;
- Morocco: International Conference on Water and Climate; 1st international conference on green hydrogen;
- UN: Security Council meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue;
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(Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara)
