Common position on Russia not crucial for new far-right EU group

4 months ago 18

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

PRAGUE

The different stances on Russia among the parties that have so far joined the new Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament are not problematic, according to the group’s Czech member, ANO, which also said that instead of looking for allies with the same views on Russia, the focus was on finding allies with the same views on the functioning of the European Union. Read more.

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PARIS | BERLIN

Berlin remains worried about Franco-German tandem despite French far-right defeat. Despite the German government’s “relief” at the defeat of the far-right in the French parliamentary elections, its ruling coalition fears that Franco-German cooperation may now suffer from a possible power vacuum in Paris, prompting some to look to Poland instead. Read more.

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BERLIN

German chemicals association: Industry past its rock bottom, but export-driven model might be over. Germany’s chemical industry has overcome its low point, but the previous model of exporting basic chemicals has ended, the sector’s umbrella association VCI said on Monday. Read more.

NORDICS & BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden nominates its first-ever centre-right EU commissioner. The Swedish government has nominated Jessika Roswall as Sweden’s next European Commissioner, making her the first member of Sweden’s Moderate Party (EPP) to be so nominated, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference on Monday. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

VOX leader: Meloni will remain ‘friend and ally’ after switch to Patriots for Europe. Italian Prime Minister and European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR) leader Georgia Meloni will remain a “friend and ally” of Spain’s far-right VOX, the party chief Santiago Abascal has said, after his party decided to switch from ECR to the newly created Patriots of Europe. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

Orlen CEO-turned-MEP testifies in visa scandal involving PiS officials. The former CEO of Poland’s state-owned petrol giant and newly-elected PiS MEP Daniel Obajtek will testify on Tuesday before the parliamentary committee investigating the visa scandal, in which former PiS officials are accused of fast-tracking visa applications for migrants in exchange for money when the party was in power. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Most Slovaks now pro-West as less favour a balanced geopolitical approach – survey. More Slovaks now favour a pro-Western geopolitical orientation for the country, according to a recent survey, which compared to the same survey last year, shows this group has now overtaken those who prefer a balanced position between Russia and the West. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria loses almost €1bn due to Schengen accession delays this year. Bulgaria has lost €0.7 billion this year alone – including €423 million in direct losses and €225 million in lost benefits – as a result of not being fully admitted to the Schengen area, said caretaker Economy Minister Petko Nikolov. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, and Managing Director of European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Pierre Gramegna hold meeting;
Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit receives FoodServiceEurope, European Cleaning and Facility Services Industry and the Confederation of European Security Services;
Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra hosts Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh Saber Hossain Chowdhury;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Mandilara]