All posts tagged: Ursula von der Leyen

Could influencers crash future EU summits? – POLITICO

Could influencers crash future EU summits? – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Ukraine wants Europe more involved in peace efforts with Russia — but who exactly would represent Europe in those talks? After Vladimir Putin floated former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a possible negotiator, Brussels reacted with disbelief. Host Zoya Sheftalovich and Nick Vinocur unpack the growing debate around Europe’s role in future peace negotiations, including Nick’s interview with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Zoya’s conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on why Ottawa is moving closer to Europe on Ukraine, defense and security. Then: Europe’s latest attempt to get ahead of the artificial intelligence boom before it spirals out of control. From a new child-focused AI safety institute unveiled in Copenhagen with Ursula von der Leyen and Hillary Clinton, to Belgium’s push for an AI “coalition of the willing.” And finally: Influencers could soon get access to EU summits, doorsteps and press conferences as part of a new European Council pilot project. Do you have a name in mind? Send us your recommendations on WhatsApp here or at +32 491 05 06 29. …

Von der Leyen, Hillary Clinton back new push to childproof AI – POLITICO

Von der Leyen, Hillary Clinton back new push to childproof AI – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Von der Leyen has made online child safety a core priority of her second mandate as head of the EU executive. The institute will be presented in Copenhagen on Tuesday, with von der Leyen scheduled to give a speech. Other big-ticket names backing the institute include former European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager and AI “godfather” Yoshua Bengio. Experts at the Youth AI Safety Institute will test AI products to inform parents and policymakers on potential harms for children, the organizers told POLITICO. The initiative is run by U.S.-based non-profit Common Sense Media, which already tests movies, series, books and games to provide age ratings. “The first set of standards and evaluations we will publish will be focused on the most severe harms” such as “suicide and self harm, eating disorders, dangerous advice,” said Bruce Reed, head of AI at Common Sense Media who previously advised former President Joe Biden on AI policy.  Danish politician Vestager, who ran digital policy at the European Commission during its last mandate, said in an interview that “this is really a …

Putin’s shadow fleet faces fresh EU sanctions blitz – POLITICO

Putin’s shadow fleet faces fresh EU sanctions blitz – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Expected in late June or early July, the 21st sanctions package will also likely target Russian banks, financial institutions and military-industrial companies as well as firms selling stolen Ukrainian grain, according to seven EU officials and diplomats with knowledge of the discussions, who were granted anonymity to discuss the preparations. Officials also see a chance to move ahead with sanctions previously blocked by the government of Viktor Orbán, the former Hungarian prime minister. Among them are measures targeting senior members of the Russian Orthodox Church, notably its leader Patriarch Kirill, a close ally of Putin’s who has lauded the Ukraine invasion. The European Commission may also revive the idea of a ban on maritime services for Russian vessels, which has so far been blocked by Malta and Greece, one of the diplomats argued. “Following Hungarian elections, there is a new momentum” for sanctions, chief EU diplomat Kaja Kallas told reporters after a recent gathering of ministers in Luxembourg. “We should revisit sanctions that have been on the table and not agreed before, but also we should move on …

EU hails ‘new chapter’ as Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister – POLITICO

EU hails ‘new chapter’ as Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Magyar has vowed a reset with Brussels to try to secure around €10 billion in EU funds frozen as a result of backsliding over human rights and the rule of law in recent years. The center-right Hungarian flew to Brussels for talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week as the new administration scrambles to meet an August deadline to show progress on reforms or risk losing access to the money altogether. Tisza, formed by Magyar in 2020 after he left Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, won 141 of the 200 available parliamentary seats in April’s nationwide vote, giving the party the two-thirds supermajority required to make constitutional changes. Orbán, along with many of his top allies, has said he will not take his seat in the new parliament, but made an appearance Friday on a Hungarian-language YouTube channel to insist he would face any investigation into his conduct and is innocent of any wrongdoing. However, the departure of Orbán — who had consistently used his veto in the European Council to block …

Bulgaria’s parliament confirms Russia-aligned Radev as prime minister – POLITICO

Bulgaria’s parliament confirms Russia-aligned Radev as prime minister – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Radev on Friday morning, writing on X that Europe faced “a strong agenda to work on” together, including “security and defence,” “competitiveness” and “energy independence.” While unveiling his cabinet on Thursday, Radev also laid out his priorities in office. He said the government’s immediate focus would be tackling soaring prices, alongside judicial reform, budget discipline and accelerating the use of EU recovery funds before key deadlines expire. Radev’s victory ends years of political deadlock in Bulgaria — but also hands his new Russia-aligned government the country’s biggest parliamentary mandate in nearly three decades. This article has been updated. Source link

Open your markets if you want EU cash, industry chief tells US and other trade partners – POLITICO

Open your markets if you want EU cash, industry chief tells US and other trade partners – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Séjourné has long championed a “European Preference” as part of his flagship Industrial Accelerator Act (which aims to make Europe more competitive by favoring local manufacturers of green technologies) and for projects funded by the EU’s long-term budget. However, some EU countries — led by Germany — oppose what they say are too rigid criteria that could disrupt supply chains. However, Séjourné said “the more the world is changing,” the stronger the case for the policy grows and “the debate is no longer about why Europe should do this, but about how to do it effectively.” The intervention comes as trade tensions grow with the U.S., with President Donald Trump announcing Thursday that he would impose “much higher” tariffs on the EU’s exports if the bloc does not drop its own rates to zero. A landmark trade deal, struck between Trump and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in July last year, has been held up in negotiations in Brussels as lawmakers weigh up safeguards in case Washington reneges on its commitments. Séjourné argued that …

Who’s ‘European’ — and who’s not?

Who’s ‘European’ — and who’s not?

Published by Sam Flores

Listen on Spotify Apple Music Amazon Music We’re talking identity this week on EU Confidential — in more ways than one. First, host Sarah Wheaton sits down with Theresa Kuhn, professor of European studies at the University of Amsterdam, who has led a major research project tracking how European identity has evolved across the continent over the past five decades. At a moment when Europe feels tense, vulnerable and under pressure, Kuhn’s research suggests people in many countries may actually feel more European than they used to. But what kind of European identity is growing? Who gets included in that idea of Europe — and who increasingly doesn’t? They also unpack how wars, migration, crises and the rise of the far right are reshaping the way Europeans see themselves. Then, a different kind of identity question: the future of this show itself. Back in February, we launched the Brussels Playbook Podcast — our daily 15-minute morning show running Monday through Thursday. And now, the Friday edition is officially joining the family under a new name: …

Hungary, EU split over how much of its €10B funding it should get – POLITICO

Hungary, EU split over how much of its €10B funding it should get – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

But despite the good intentions, Brussels and Budapest are at odds over how much money Hungary should get from the post-Covid fund allocation, according to the officials, who have knowledge of the negotiations and were granted anonymity to discuss the confidential talks. The Commission recommended requesting only the grants, while Hungary wants to claim the full amount. “We are very optimistic about releasing all the blocked funds,” said Kinga Kollár, an MEP from Magyar’s Tisza party. The allocation is split between €6.5 billion in grants, which would not need to be repaid, and €3.9 billion in loans, which need to be paid back at a favorable interest rate. Magyar’s incoming administration has until Aug. 31 to formally request the money, while the Commission has a deadline of Dec. 31 to make the payments. The Commission is arguing there isn’t enough time to release the full €10.4 billion, since payouts are contingent on Hungary meeting specific reform targets. Funds in the form of loans would also add to Budapest’s strained public finances, with debt already hovering around 75 percent …

EU agreement on US trade deal within reach, says top lawmaker – POLITICO

EU agreement on US trade deal within reach, says top lawmaker – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Although the two sides shook hands on the trade deal at Trump’s Scottish golf resort last July, Brussels still hasn’t passed legislation to keep its side of the bargain by scrapping duties on U.S. industrial goods. The accord, criticized by many in Europe as one-sided, foresees a 15 percent U.S. duty on most European exports. Lange, a German Social Democrat, has pushed to add strong safeguards in case Trump intimidates the EU again, as the U.S. president did earlier this year when he threatened to annex Greenland, a Danish territory.  In an interview on Thursday, Lange said he was confident a deal would be reached at the next negotiating round being held either on May 12 or 19. That would pave the way for a plenary vote in the European Parliament in June — one of the final steps before a law can take effect. “I guess there will be a conclusion at the next meeting,” Lange said. While parliamentary groups were still discussing when to hold a third and possibly final round of talks, …

Don’t treat Turkey like Russia and China – POLITICO

Don’t treat Turkey like Russia and China – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

This is no longer just about a frozen accession file. It is about strategic direction, and whether the EU and Turkey can still imagine a meaningful future together. It is also where the deadlock in relations becomes most visible. As pressure on the country’s opposition hardens into a durable method of government, the issue moves well beyond the narrow confines of foreign policy and fundamentally becomes a question of regime. That is why so much of Turkey’s tensions with the EU are driven by the external consequences of its internal democratic decay. As a founding member of the Council of Europe, from the very beginning Turkey has been part of Europe’s institutional order, built on democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Through its place in NATO, it constitutes an important part of Europe’s security architecture and collective defense. From the Black Sea to critical energy routes, from migration to industrial production, the EU’s long-term resilience cannot be bolstered by excluding Turkey. This is no longer just about a frozen accession file. It is …