European Commission has proposed dropping unanimity on sanctions and on some EU enlargement decisions
The Commission published a package of documents on preparing the Union for future enlargement and is proposing a shift from unanimous voting to qualified majority voting on sanctions, the opening of negotiating clusters and intermediate decisions in accession talks. The package, “Preparing for a wider Union,” was adopted on Tuesday….
Former BND chief arrested on suspicion of espionage
Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said that on Tuesday, on warrants issued by an investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice, agents arrested August Hanning, the former president of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), and Manfred D., his former chief of staff. Both are suspected of passing on and using…
European Parliament approves €115 million AGILE defence innovation programme
The European Parliament on 6 October approved the creation of a new defence innovation programme, AGILE, with a budget of €115 million. It is designed to speed up the development and fielding of new military technologies against the backdrop of a changing security environment shaped by Russia’s war against Ukraine….
215 teenagers and more than 700 police officers injured in French school protests
High-school protests in France have entered their third week. According to the office of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, 215 teenagers, 85 school staff and 715 police officers and gendarmes have been injured since the mobilization began. The authorities have promised to consider the students’ demands and to present a “roadmap”…
Brussels prepares new restrictions on Russian diplomats amid sabotage across Europe
EU member states are discussing tighter restrictions and additional checks on Russian diplomats amid a wave of hybrid attacks in Europe, Euronews reported on 6 October, citing diplomatic sources. The talks are still at an early stage and are seen as a possible next step in the bloc’s sanctions regime….