Giovanna Faggionato

3 days ago | politico.eu | Giovanna Faggionato

BRUSSELS — The EU's executive told member countries they can repurpose hundreds of billions of euros in Covid-19 relief money to fund defense projects, reflecting a radical shift in priorities since the days of the pandemic. On Wednesday, the European Commission confirmed countries have until August 2026 to meet agreed targets in order to receive up to €335 billion of Resilience and Recovery Facility (RRF) funding — but said defense-related projects would now be eligible for funding.

3 days ago | politico.eu | Giovanna Faggionato

BRUSSELS — The European Commission has reprimanded Austria and Romania for breaking European Union limits on government spending — as Austria deals with the financial fall-out of months of political deadlock and Romania's long-running fiscal problems drag on. Under EU fiscal rules, a country's deficit — the difference between a government’s revenues and expenditures — cannot exceed 3 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

3 days ago | politico.eu | Max Griera |Giovanna Faggionato

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday she is ready to abandon her country's traditionally thrifty stance on the EU budget in the face of the threat posed by Russia. “Last time we had a leading role in the frugal four. Next time we'll have a leading role in another group," Frederiksen said Tuesday, referring to the customarily frugal alliance consisting of Denmark, Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands.

1 month ago | wiadomosci.onet.pl | Marion Solletty |Giovanna Faggionato |Clea Caulcutt |Jon Stone

Francuzi od dawna mają w zwyczaju irytować Brytyjczyków. W ostatnim czasie mocno naciskają ich w kwestii ustępstw. Chcą, aby premier Keir Starmer zaakceptował je w zamian za reset z UE. Paryż odgrywał złego policjanta podczas negocjacji w sprawie brexitu i późniejszej umowy handlowej w latach 2016-2020. Teraz powtarza tę rolę, gdy Brytyjczycy chcą ponownie zbliżyć się do UE, a przełomowy szczyt w Londynie ma odbyć się za niecałe dwa tygodnie.

1 month ago | politico.eu | Clea Caulcutt |Giovanna Faggionato |Jon Stone |Marion Solletty

PARIS — The French have long had a habit of annoying the British. Lately they’ve been digging their heels in over concessions they want Prime Minister Keir Starmer to accept in return for his hoped-for reset with the EU. From defense to fisheries, France’s diplomats have been playing hardball, according to officials from both sides.