German conservative chancellor hopefuls show face at party conference

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.

The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.

Today’s edition is powered by Amazon

Regional Revitalization: The Transformative Power of Investment in Rural and Post-Industrial Areas Across Europe

The event will feature insights from experts on a variety of topics, such as the current status of post-industrial regions in Europe, the EU’s perspective on job creation and economic impact that results from re-industrialization, and shared experiences of revitalizing rural and post-industrial regions.

Find out more!

In today’s news from The Capitals:

BERLIN

Friedrich Merz was re-elected as leader of Germany’s conservative CDU on Monday, but the party’s annual conference showed that it remains uncertain whether Merz will ultimately win the chancellorship. Read more.

Germany woos Poland to give up veto power in foreign affairs. German State Minister for Europe Anna Lührmann (Greens) on Monday stressed the need to move to qualified majority voting to prepare for EU enlargement, citing lessons to be learned from Polish history. Read more.

Right-wing extremist involved in attack on German MEP. At least one of the four suspects involved in Saturday’s attack on Matthias Ecke, the lead candidate from Saxony for the German Social Democrats in the European elections, is believed to be associated with the extreme right, zeit.de reports. Read more.

///

PARIS

China, France discuss Ukraine, trade tensions. China’s Xi Jinping and France’s Emmanuel Macron had “frank” discussions over all things trade tensions and war in Ukraine in Paris on Monday, but beneath a veneer of politeness and respect, significant divisions lie. Read more.

NORDICS & BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden to grant Ukrainians fast-track registration, better benefits. Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection in Sweden will be able to register much faster and receive a higher settlement allowance, the Swedish government announced on Monday, much to the dismay of the far right. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spain’s Sánchez urged to recognise Palestinian statehood at ministerial meeting. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez should take the historic and ambitious step of recognising the Palestinian state at Tuesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, said Deputy Prime Minister and Sumar leader Yolanda Díaz, reiterating one of her party’s conditions for striking a government pact with Sanchez’s PSOE party. Read more.

///

ROME

Italian public TV journalists strike against government’s tightening grip. Journalists at Italy’s public broadcaster RAI went on strike on Monday to protest against staff shortages, budget cuts and the denial of fair contracts for those working on the network’s news programmes – or what they called “suffocating control” by the government. Read more.

///

VALLETTA

Malta’s ex-PM attacks judiciary as charges filed against him in hospitals probe. Malta’s former prime minister Joseph Muscat and current Prime Minister Robert Abela have been called out for attacking the judiciary with the former now facing criminal charges in the latest instalment of a money laundering scandal that has sent shockwaves through the country and the socialist Malta Labour Party (PES). Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

Czech far-right leader ready to back von der Leyen, lists conditions. Petr Mach, leader of the Czech far-right coalition for the upcoming European elections, is ready to support Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission president – but only if she is ready to accept a revote on the Green Deal and the Migration and Asylum Pact, Mach told Euractiv Czechia in an interview. Read more.

///

WARSAW

Commission closes Poland’s rule of law inquiry. The European Commission announced on Tuesday its decision to close Article 7 against Poland, arguing commitments from the new Donald Tusk government have now addressed previously identified risks to the country’s rule of law. Read more.

Polish judge seeks political asylum in Belarus. High-level Polish judge Tomasz Szmydt, loyal to the previous PiS (ECR) government, has requested political asylum in Belarus on Monday, calling it an act of “protest against Poland’s unjust and harmful policy” towards Moscow and Minsk. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

BELGRADE

Serbia opens its arms and economy to ‘Brother Xi’. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Belgrade on Tuesday has raised eyebrows at a time when Serbia’s President Aleksander Vučić has continued to resist increasing pressure to align foreign policy with the West, in particular the EU. Read more.

AGENDA:

• EU: Foreign Affairs Council, in its development configuration, convenes to discuss Ukraine, humanitarian and reconstruction aspects of the situation in Palestine, and more;
• Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council expected to equal treatment directive, women in public, and more;
• Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas delivers opening remarks at 15th EU-Israel high level seminar on combatin racism, xenophobia and antisemitism;
• Vice President Margrethe Vestager meets with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry Ken Saito;
• Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson participates in “Europe – transforming the future” panel of 16th European Economic Congress, in Katowice, Poland;
• Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in ministerial meeting of European countries coalition against serious and organised crime, in Hamburg, Germany;
• Jacques Delors Institute President Enrico Letta, following presentation on single market future, participates in dialogue with Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel, in Frankfurt, Germany;

***

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

Read more with Euractiv