Italian MEP: Orbán will need ‘written statement’ backing Ukraine to join ECR

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

ROME

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party will be asked provide a written statement expressing support for Ukraine if they want to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), according to the group’s Vice-Chair Nicola Procaccini. Read more.

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BERLIN

Small German parties have become a power factor in new EU parliament. Fringe parties received a sizeable boost in Germany’s EU elections, finding themselves in an influential position in post-election negotiations as their collective weight rivals that of entire countries. Read more.

EU competition chief warns against Franco-German push to loosen merger rules. European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager has warned against the idea of watering down competition rules to allow for “European champions”, an age-old idea that could gain new momentum as part of an expected “competitiveness deal” by the next Commission. Read more.

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PARIS

Far right’s Bardella vows ‘€2 to €3 billion’ cut in French contribution to EU budget. The President of France’s far-right Rassemblement national, Jordan Bardella, told business leaders on Thursday that if he were appointed prime minister after the snap elections, he would cut country’s contribution to the EU budget by “€2 to €3 billion”—something that, from a legal point of view, would be virtually impossible. Read more.

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VIENNA

Charges brought against Austria’s Gewessler for rogue nature restoration vote. The centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has accused its Environment Minister, Leonore Gewessler, of knowingly voting illegally in favour of the controversial EU nature restoration law, going against the Chancellery’s own legal service. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Netherlands clears EU’s final hurdle for Ukraine, Moldova accession talks to formally start. The Dutch parliament on Thursday voted in favour of greenlighting the negotiation frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova, clearing the last hurdle for the EU to formally open accession talks with both countries next week. Read more.

Rutte poised to become next NATO chief as Romanian President Iohannis drops bid. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is set to become the next secretary-general of NATO as his main opponent, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, removed himself from the race on Thursday. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Nordics agree on military transport corridor ahead of NATO summit. Finland, Sweden and Norway on Thursday agreed to establish a military transport corridor in the Nordic region to enhance regional preparedness amid an increasing Russian threat. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spain’s radical left blasts Madrid regional president for honouring Argentina’s Milei. The Spanish left lashed out at Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso of the right-wing Partido Popular (PP/EPP) on Thursday for honouring Argentine President Javier Milei with the International Medal of the Madrid Community, accusing her of being “disloyal” and only trying to “annoy” the progressive government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

Formation of new far-right EU group unlikely, says Polish MEP. Despite the desire and efforts of Germany’s far-right party AfD and some other parties, it is unlikely that a new far-right group will emerge in the European Parliament, argues Polish far-right Confederation MEP Anna Bryłka. Read more.

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PRAGUE

US chipmaker to invest $2 billion in Czechia. US chip manufacturer Onsemi is planning to invest up to $2 billion in its Czech production facility after negotiations with the government resulted in the largest foreign investment in the country’s history. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovak parliament approves government’s contested public broadcaster revamp. Slovakia’s parliament approved the government’s planned revamp and leadership change at public broadcaster RTVS on Thursday, overruling concerns the changes will bring the broadcaster under political control and harm media freedom. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria heading for early election as Borissov fails to secure majority. Bulgaria is heading for its seventh general election in three years after former prime minister Boyko Borisov’s ruling GERB (EPP) party failed to secure the parliamentary majority needed to form a regular government. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania decides to donate Patriot system to Ukraine, wants something in return. Romania will donate its Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine on condition that it receives a similar or equivalent system to protect its airspace, the country’s Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) decided on Thursday. Read more.

AGENDA:

• EU: Economic and Financial Affairs Council convenes to discuss VAT in digital era, Recovery and Resilience Facility, taxation, and more;
• Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs expected to focus on pharmaceutical package, vaccine-preventable cancers, and more;
• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participates in strategic dialogue on agriculture’s future;
• High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell participates in panel discussion on “Western Balkans EU Enlargement: Time to get real!” and working session on “Paving the way for Western Balkans EU accession through gradual integration”, in Vienna, Austria;
• Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton visits Nicosia Walled city and Green Line, in Cyprus; Meets with President of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides, Minister for Defence Vasilis Palmas;

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

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