Owen Morgan
@owenmorganeu.bsky.social
Media relations in Brussels, ex-journo. EU politics and policy, Brexit (still), other bits Ow(e)n views
Re-embracing my columnist persona to mark the Brexit anniversary in @brusselstimes.com today. I’ve written too much on the politics. So, here’s an attempt to describe the futility of Brexit through considering the shallowness of my own attempt to be both ‘British’ and ‘European’ in the last decade
Macron and Starmer launch 'permanent' HQ in Paris for the coalition of 31 countries looking to provide post-ceasefire security guarantees for Ukraine A step towards formalising a body that today met via videocall But how 'permanent' is an HQ that will 'rotate to London after the first 12 months'?
New Coalition of the Willing headquarters as leaders step up support for Ukraine's immediate flight
The Coalition of the Willing will have a new permanent headquarters in Paris, with plans in place for a future coordination cell in Kyiv, as command structures for the future reassurance force are fin...
gov.uk
CENSURE: As expected, vote on censure of von der Leyen Commission fails: For: 175 Against: 360 Abstain: 18 Interesting to see where those 18 came from...
VdL’s censure has been (rightly) dismissed as political theatre. So let’s talk about how the show looked and sounded. It was exciting. My most head-in-the-sand mates texted me about it. People noticed this happened. So, what can pro-EU MEPs learn from their dalliance with drama? For @euractiv.com
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.The Brief – How the far right just spiced up European politics
Schengen at 40: Border checks become the new normal
Schengen at 40: Border checks become the new normal
Four decades on, the Schengen area no longer feels quite so free.
dlvr.it
Sneak peak at the much-anticipated European Competitiveness Fund via @wulffwold.bsky.social and @nicolettaionta.bsky.social
Jacob Wulff Wold@wulffwold.bsky.social · last yr.It’s here! Von der Leyen’s new industrial superfund will merge activities from up to 14 existing budget lines into one cash pot to free up private capital. www.euractiv.com/section/econ...
EXCLUSIVE: EU prosecutors open probe into far-right group linked to Le Pen
EXCLUSIVE: EU prosecutors open probe into far-right group linked to Le Pen
Media reports allege €4.3 million in EU funds was misused by the far-right Identity and Democracy group from 2019-2024.
dlvr.it
“Ursula von der Leyen is being hauled to the podium today to answer to a far-right MEP whose boss can't get over having lost the Romanian election. You could get 72 MEPs to agree on just about anything” Clarity ahead of the absurdity set to unfold in Stras in an hour - via @eddywax.bsky.social
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Much ado about censure
Sorry Brussels Playbook but the US and China are not "Europe's two biggest trade partners" if that means the EU, not even close. Bit closer to home you'll find an EU trade relationship €200bn larger than that with China.
Given their dominance around the Council table, the EPP's pre-summit meetings – where they align and strategise – are arguably as consequential as the main summit. But there's a familiar figure exerting himself there – and not everybody's thrilled. Via our Berlin head honcho Nick Alipour 👇
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Inside Manfred Weber’s paper wars that are dividing Europe’s centre right
He was the EU’s great Brexit survivor. Can Maroš Šefčovič now pull off a trade deal with Trump?
He was the EU’s great Brexit survivor. Can Maroš Šefčovič now pull off a trade deal with Trump?
EU’s longest-serving commissioner faces arguably his sternest test with the clock ticking before 9 July deadline
theguardian.com
The EU’s 2040 #climate goal is likely to affect Europeans’ wallets – and those of the companies they work for. But whether a 90% cut in Europe's greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 will bring net costs or benefits depends on how #EU leaders choose to implement the target.
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.What a 90% emissions cut could mean for EU citizens
Struggling to follow the MFF debate? Here’s how the EU's current €1.2 trillion budget is spent, and how it may (radically) change for 2028-2034 www.euractiv.com/section/econ...
Five fights that will shape the EU’s next €1.2 trillion budget - Euractiv
There is a broad consensus that the EU needs a more agile budget but the bloc is a heavy machine – and always at risk of taking the path of least friction.
euractiv.com
The trouble with trilogues – when things start falling apart
The trouble with trilogues – when things start falling apart
The trilogue process doesn't have the benefit of being codified in law. It is a custom that has arisen because the alternative would probably drag on for years. But lately, several governments haven't quite been playing the game.
dlvr.it
Leaked by the WSJ last week, denied by the EU's top US trade official earlier this week, not really brought up by EU leaders yesterday. Then, Trump suggests today DMA/DSA enforcement could be on the table as EU-US trade talks tick towards 9 July deadline. w/ @magnuslundnielsen.bsky.social
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Trump suggests EU’s digital rules are on the table in trade talks
Blockbuster edition of the Capitals today - Huawei-gate scoop - Interview with EU rightwing chief Manfred Weber - An ECR attempt to bring down the Commission - and we tee up the EUCO summit today @nicolettaionta.bsky.social www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Can anyone stop Manfred Weber? - Euractiv
In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about France calling to rethink the 2040 climate target, Hungary threatening Pride-goers, and a bid to bring down the Commission rattling the ECR.
euractiv.com
Blogging all day from the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels Migration, Middle East, and Merz on debut Tune in 👇
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.EU summit LIVE: Leaders gather for talks on Middle East, Ukraine and migration
NEW: An investigation by @euractiv.com (with De Standaard & Le Vif) unveils the testimony given to police by the lobbyist at the centre of Huawei’s cash-for-influence scandal in the EU Parliament. Via @nicolettaionta.bsky.social and our new Chief Brussels Correspondent @elisabraun.bsky.social
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Confessions of a Huawei lobbyist
Curious timing for this message after weeks of reluctance to back this Sunday's Budapest Pride... Socialist leader Iratxe Garcia met von der Leyen today, and reportedly wanted reassuring of VdL's centrist pro-European chops amid the anti-greenwashing law debacle. Is this an olive branch? 👀
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Von der Leyen calls on Hungary to let Budapest Pride go ahead
🚨 A post-Qatargate lobbying crackdown is causing major rifts in the EP. S&D, Greens, Transparency Int'l & UN experts warn it echoes “foreign agent” laws in Russia, Georgia & Hungary - threatening civil society, but centre-right EPP group is ready to push it through. W/ @eddywax.bsky.social
Euractiv@euractiv.com · last yr.Brussels’ ‘foreign agents’ fight
EU funding turns sour: How a Croatian anti-corruption NGO fell out with Brussels
EU funding turns sour: How a Croatian anti-corruption NGO fell out with Brussels
PSD's legal battle with Brussels has taken on broader significance – with the NGO claiming they were 'used' to cover up political failings.
dlvr.it
Brexit citizens' rights: UK tweaked the immigration rules in a few areas yesterday – incl. the maximum allowable absences for Europeans with pre-settled status Can now be absent for 2.5 years in a 5 year period and remain eligible for full settled status (which they'll be automatically upgraded to)
Tucked away in the Commission's daily news: the EU extends its data adequacy decision with the UK until December - allows transfers to continue. The UK's new Data Act became law last week - Commission 'assessing' its adequacy (as if adequacy/equivalence decisions are ever line-by-line comparisons)
Daily News 24 \/ 06 \/ 2025
EU and Canada sign security and defence partnership at the joint 20th Summit\nThe leaders of the European Union and Canada – Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa for the EU, with Prime Mi...
ec.europa.eu
🔵 Good early morning from The Hague, where #NATO leaders meet for what could be the alliance’s most contentious summit in years amid #Trump, #Iran and #Russia’s continued war in #Ukraine. Follow all @euractiv.com live updates from our team on the ground: www.euractiv.com/section/defe...
LIVE: Leaders meet for NATO Summit in wake of US attack on Iran - Euractiv
Euractiv's Defence team is on the ground in The Hague, reporting live on this week's NATO summit.
euractiv.com
Trump’s car, metals tariffs ‘unsustainable’, says EU trade chief
Trump’s car, metals tariffs ‘unsustainable’, says EU trade chief
The remarks suggest that Brussels could – like the UK – accept a 10% levy on most European exports in order to avoid sector-specific US duties.
dlvr.it
Italy withdraws support for EU anti-greenwashing law
Italy withdraws support for EU anti-greenwashing law
The move deals a further blow to the Green Claims directive, which is already under pressure from the Commission.
dlvr.it
