Conference on the future of Europe, or the failure of Europe

Conference on the future of Europe. Everybody has been talking since the beginning, since the initiative was launched in 2019. An unprecedented event, presented as the most prominent moment in the European democratic life. The Conference (also known as COFOE) is «a citizen-led series of debates and discussions that will enable people from across Europe … Continue reading Conference on the future of Europe, or the failure of Europe

Von der Leyen Commission, EP already split on the new French candidate

The committee on Legal affairs of the European Parliament gave the green light to the hearings of the three commissioner-designated for Transport, Enlargement, Industry and defense. The MEPs decided that there are not clear conflict of interests, so Thierry Breton, Olivér Várhelyi e Adina Valean can be heard by the competent parliamentary commissions. The hearings … Continue reading Von der Leyen Commission, EP already split on the new French candidate

MEPs against Council non-decision on EU enlargement

Western Balkans can wait. The European Union is not an affair neither for Albania nor for North Macedonia. The heads of State and governments of the EU Member States weren’t capable of opening the accession talks for the two countries asking to join the European community. It was an unhappy decision the one produced on … Continue reading MEPs against Council non-decision on EU enlargement

EU Commission entering into power officially delayed

Von der Leyen's team to start 1 December after three commissioners-designated didn't get the confidence of MEPs The 1st of December is the new 1st of November. If everything is going to be OK, of course. The conference of the presidents of the European Parliament took note of the impossibility for the president elected of … Continue reading EU Commission entering into power officially delayed

MEPs showed Macron and von der Leyen that European Parliament matters

Emmanuel Macron underestimated the European Parliament. The French president was too sure that in the EU of the Member States the co-legislator had no particular role. He wanted to submit the name of Sylvie Goulard for the post of next commissioner for Industry, internal market and defense despite the French woman’s pending problems with justice. … Continue reading MEPs showed Macron and von der Leyen that European Parliament matters

MEPs to quiz Gentiloni on his independence from Italy

Preliminary interviews have started for all commissioner candidates, and Paolo Gentiloni made no exception. From 30 September to 8 October the European Parliament will quiz all the people nominated for the role of next members of the European Commission, in public hearings to be held in Brussels. But MEPs already decided to put under scrutiny … Continue reading MEPs to quiz Gentiloni on his independence from Italy

Five Stars escaped the crisis in Italy, but split in Brussels

The delegation of the Five Star Movement (M5S) at the European Parliament is losing unity, and risks falling into pieces. At least two MEPs criticized the decision of the party of forming a governing coalition with the Democratic Party (PD). The new Italian government, in other words, caused an earthquake inside the Movement. Ignazio Corrao … Continue reading Five Stars escaped the crisis in Italy, but split in Brussels

A guide to the Italian substitute MEPs

In the European Parliament all MEPs have ‘extra-job’ to do, as they are responsible for one or more parliamentary committees of which they are members, plus one or more committees where they work as substitute members whenever needed. In the EU body, in fact, there are ‘official’ members of the European Parliament, and there are … Continue reading A guide to the Italian substitute MEPs

Italy with no seats in the presidency of the EPP group. It never happened before

Once upon a time… there was Italy. However, in the next European legislature Italy will have no representatives in the board of the European People’s Party group (EPP), the most prominent political organism within the European Parliament. For the first time in the history of the elected European Parliament, the Italian delegation will not have … Continue reading Italy with no seats in the presidency of the EPP group. It never happened before