Independent European Daily Express

26/07/2024

Germany: more money for Defense, roads and Federal Railroad

The three German government parties have agreed on the draft budget for 2025. It is a budget plan without too many new policies and without uncertain coverage. With this, the SPD, Greens and FDP want to prevent their budget from being rejected by the Federal Court, just like last year. The budget promises modest growth in expenditure with a strong focus on necessary cuts and a shift in budgets, rather than large-scale new initiatives.

The three German government parties have agreed on the draft budget for 2025. It is a budget plan without too many new policies and without uncertain coverage. With this, the SPD, Greens and FDP want to prevent their budget from being rejected by the Federal Court, just like last year. The budget pr...

25/07/2024

Austria is doing too little to combat too much chemistry in agriculture

The Austrian Court of Audit is strongly critical of the outgoing government's lagging climate and nature policy. According to the researchers, too little is being done to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture.

The Austrian Court of Audit is strongly critical of the outgoing government's lagging climate and nature policy. According to the researchers, too little is being done to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. The study shows that Austria is failing to meet its pesticide use reduction targets [...

24/07/2024

'A few months' delay approaching for scrutiny of EU law against deforestation

The new agriculture spokesperson for the Greens in the European Parliament believes that the enforcement of new EU rules against deforestation can withstand 'a few months' delay'. But Austrian organic farmer Thomas Waitz expressed his opposition to the repeal of the law, which should come into effect in five months.

The new agriculture spokesperson for the Greens in the European Parliament believes that the enforcement of new EU rules against deforestation can withstand 'a few months' delay'. But Austrian organic farmer Thomas Waitz expressed his opposition to the repeal of the law, which should come into effec...

24/07/2024

Ardanowski leaves P*S and questions the position of party leader Kaczynski

Former Polish minister Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski has resigned from the conservative-nationalist P*S party after more than twenty years. In parliament he will join the populist right-wing opposition faction of Pawel Kukiz.

Former Polish minister Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski has resigned from the conservative-nationalist P*S party after more than twenty years. In parliament he will join the populist right-wing opposition faction of Pawel Kukiz. The former agriculture minister also says he wants to launch a new political mo...

23/07/2024

German environmental clubs and farmers' union remain in ZKL future committee

After urgent consultation, the German farmers' association DBV and the major environmental and nature organizations have decided to continue their collaboration in the Agricultural Future Committee (ZKL). In the coming months, they will focus more on broadly supported advice on the transition of agriculture and livestock farming, and focus less on limited parts of government policy, DBV and environmental clubs have agreed.

After urgent consultation, the German farmers' association DBV and the major environmental and nature organizations have decided to continue their collaboration in the Agricultural Future Committee (ZKL). In the coming months, they will focus more on broadly supported advice on the transition of agr...

22/07/2024

EU withdraws unjustified agricultural subsidies from Romania

The European Public Prosecutor's Office and the judicial authorities in Romania have arrested six Romanian suspects in two cases of fraud with EU subsidies.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office and the judicial authorities in Romania have arrested six Romanian suspects in two cases of fraud with EU subsidies. In one case, this involved unjustified subsidies for the purchase of modern equipment for the construction of a new pig breeding farm in Corabi...

21/07/2024

Jordan has summoned the Dutch ambassador to the kingdom in protest of remarks made by far-right Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders against the Palestinian people.

In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said it "summoned the Dutch Ambassador in Amman (Harry Verweij) on Thursday evening to the ministry’s headquarters to deliver a strongly worded protest message to his government over the remarks made by far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders."

The ministry considered these remarks to "align with the condemned decision issued by the Israeli (parliament) Knesset which aims to deny the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to their independent and sovereign state on their national soil.”

The Knesset voted early Thursday to pass a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders previously made statements denying Palestinians' right to an independent, sovereign state - Anadolu Ajansı

21/07/2024

Switzerland is once again allowing the import of South American organic soya

The Swiss government has again allowed the import of organic soya for animal feed. With this, the government in Bern wants to meet the increasing demand for organic food and to compensate for the shortages in domestic production. This measure now makes it easier for Swiss farmers to maintain and expand their organic livestock farming.

The Swiss government has again allowed the import of organic soya for animal feed. With this, the government in Bern wants to meet the increasing demand for organic food and to compensate for the shortages in domestic production. This measure now makes it easier for Swiss farmers to maintain and exp...

20/07/2024

Russian Tech Billionaire Arkady Volozh

"Europe Should Be Smart Enough to Use These People Who Fled Russia"

Russian tech entrepreneur Arkady Volozh turned the search engine Yandex into a multi-billion-dollar company. Now, he has left Putin's empire for Amsterdam. His next move? AI, made in Europe.

Russian tech entrepreneur Arkady Volozh turned the search engine Yandex into a multi-billion-dollar company. Now, he has left Putin's empire for Amsterdam. His next move? AI, made in Europe.

19/07/2024

Denmark will reclaim unjustified agricultural subsidies

The Danish Agriculture Agency and successive ministers have stood by passively for years while livestock farmers and agricultural companies were wrongly awarded agricultural subsidies. The Public Prosecution Service has now instructed Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen to recover 27 million Danish Krone.

The Danish Agriculture Agency and successive ministers have stood by passively for years while livestock farmers and agricultural companies were wrongly awarded agricultural subsidies. The Public Prosecution Service has now instructed Agriculture Minister Jacob Jensen to recover 27 million Danish Kr...

18/07/2024

Greens help Von der Leyen to easily re-election

With a majority of 401 votes, the European Parliament has comfortably re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. The Parliament currently consists of 719 members, so the majority was 360 votes. 401 EP members voted in favor, 284 against and 22 votes were blank or invalid.

With a majority of 401 votes, the European Parliament has comfortably re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission. The Parliament currently consists of 719 members, so the majority was 360 votes. 401 EP members voted in favor, 284 against and 22 votes were blank or invali...

18/07/2024

Von der Leyen's election depends on Greens and Conservatives

President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission has requested the European Parliament's approval for an extension of her term of office in an impassioned plea. The 65-year-old German politician needs an absolute majority of the 720 MEPs in Strasbourg on Thursday: 361 votes.

President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission has requested the European Parliament's approval for an extension of her term of office in an impassioned plea. The 65-year-old German politician needs an absolute majority of the 720 MEPs in Strasbourg on Thursday: 361 votes. Van der Leyen c...

17/07/2024

No support for Ukraine from PVV members in the European Parliament

In any case, the EU countries' political and financial support for Ukraine must continue until victory. That is the first position taken by the newly elected and installed European Union. In it, the MEPs reiterate that they will continue to support 'the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders'.

In any case, the EU countries' political and financial support for Ukraine must continue until victory. That is the first position taken by the newly elected and installed European Union. In it, the MEPs reiterate that they will continue to support 'the independence, sovereignty and territorial inte...

17/07/2024

EU judges slap Ursula Von der Leyen on the fingers

The General Court of the EU finds that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has not been open enough about her contacts with the Pfilzer group regarding multi-million contracts for anti-Covid medicines. According to the European judges, Von der Leyen should have provided her emails and texts to the Pfilzer CEO to MEPs who requested them at the time.

The General Court of the EU finds that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has not been open enough about her contacts with the Pfilzer group regarding multi-million contracts for anti-Covid medicines. According to the European judges, Von der Leyen should have provided her emails and texts to...

17/07/2024

Hail causes major damage in Austria and northern Italy

In recent days, heavy hailstorms and torrential rain have caused significant damage to the agricultural sector in Austria and northern Italy. The regions of Styria, Carinthia and Upper Austria were particularly hard hit. The consequences of these extreme weather events are devastating for farmers and gardeners, who face significant damage.

In recent days, heavy hailstorms and torrential rain have caused significant damage to the agricultural sector in Austria and northern Italy. The regions of Styria, Carinthia and Upper Austria were particularly hard hit. The consequences of these extreme weather events are devastating for farmers an...

17/07/2024

Brussels and EU countries boycott Hungarian EU meetings

The European Commission and a large number of EU countries will not send Commissioners and ministers to informal EU meetings in Hungary in the coming six months, in protest against Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán's 'mediation visit' to Moscow.

The European Commission and a large number of EU countries will not send Commissioners and ministers to informal EU meetings in Hungary in the coming six months, in protest against Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán's 'mediation visit' to Moscow. With this boycott, Brussels wants to prevent Orbán from...

16/07/2024

European Commission threatens legal action against X for illegal content

The European Commission has charged social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with violating the European Digital Services Act (DSA). This law obliges platforms to remove illegal content and limit disinformation.

The Commission says the blue tick payment system, which suggests to users th

The European Commission has charged social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with violating the European Digital Services Act (DSA). This law obliges platforms to remove illegal content and limit disinformation. The Commission states that the blue tick payment system, which suggests to us...

16/07/2024

EU judges: Austria cannot just shoot a wolf

The European Court of Justice does not allow an extension of the ban on the shooting of wolves. The Court has determined in a guiding ruling that Austria must continue to adhere to the current stricter rules. According to the EU court in Luxembourg, wolf populations in the canton of Tyrol (and throughout Austria) have not yet recovered sufficiently.

The European Court of Justice does not allow an extension of the ban on the shooting of wolves. The Court has determined in a guiding ruling that Austria must continue to adhere to the current stricter rules. According to the EU court in Luxembourg, the wolf population in the canton of Tyrol (and in...

15/07/2024

Hungary wants to put a brake on Crispr-cas technology in EU agriculture

On Monday, the agriculture ministers of the 27 EU countries will meet in Brussels to discuss a proposal from the temporary EU chairman Hungary on the use of new genetic breeding techniques (NGTs) in agriculture.

On Monday, the agriculture ministers of the 27 EU countries will meet in Brussels to discuss a proposal from the temporary EU chairman Hungary on the use of new genetic breeding techniques (NGTs) in agriculture. This proposal, which aims to temporarily ban these techniques, goes against the findings...

15/07/2024

Russian agitprop also targeted European voters

The Russian propaganda departments have attempted to influence the European elections on a large scale via the Internet and Twitter. An analysis by research agency Trollrensics exposed a Russian-linked network ('troll army') that is part of a network of fake accounts that automatically sent all kinds of fake messages.

The Russian propaganda departments have attempted to influence the European elections on a large scale via the Internet and Twitter. An analysis by research agency Trollrensics exposed a Russian-linked network ('troll army') that is part of a network of fake accounts that automatically sent all kind...

14/07/2024

Italy frees Indian farm workers from forced labor and exploitation

Italian police have freed 33 Indian farm workers who were forced to work under slave-like conditions on two farms in the northern province of Verona. Two Indian citizens have been arrested on suspicion of labor exploitation.

Italian police have freed 33 Indian farm workers who were forced to work under slave-like conditions on two farms in the northern province of Verona. Two Indian citizens have been arrested on suspicion of labor exploitation. The liberation of the workers follows an incident in which an Indian worker...

14/07/2024

Prices in more stable European agriculture are starting to fall

Agricultural prices in the European Union have fallen significantly in the first quarter of 2024. This means that agricultural prices are again approaching the levels before the outbreak of the Russian war against Ukraine. This decline is seen as a positive sign for the stability of the agricultural market.

Agricultural prices in the European Union have fallen significantly in the first quarter of 2024. This means that agricultural prices are again approaching the levels before the outbreak of the Russian war against Ukraine. This decline is seen as a positive sign for the stability of the agricultural...

13/07/2024

German states are once again blocking stricter fertilizer laws

The European Union has been urging Germany for more than thirty years to fully implement the Nitrate Directive to limit nitrate pollution of groundwater and drinking water. Despite multiple warnings and legal action, Germany continues to lag behind in enforcing these EU rules.

The European Union has been urging Germany for more than thirty years to fully implement the Nitrate Directive to limit nitrate pollution of groundwater and drinking water. Despite multiple warnings and legal action, Germany continues to lag behind in enforcing these EU rules. The pressure on German...

12/07/2024

Agriculture in European Commission to Christian Democrat

The leaders of the five most influential political groups in the European Parliament are getting closer to an agreement on the candidates for a variety of European positions. This not only concerns the party affiliation of possible candidates for a new European Commission, but also dozens of positions within the European Parliament.

The leaders of the five most influential political groups in the European Parliament are getting closer to an agreement on the candidates for a variety of European positions. This not only concerns the party affiliation of possible candidates for a new European Commission, but also dozens of positio...

11/07/2024

Brussels blocks Dutch standstill in asylum processing

The European Commission warns the Netherlands that it cannot declare an asylum crisis on its own authority. With this warning, the European Commission is putting an end to an important plan of the new right-wing government coalition in The Hague.

The European Commission warns the Netherlands that it cannot declare an asylum crisis on its own authority. With this warning, the European Commission is putting an end to an important plan of the new right-wing government coalition in The Hague. This new four-party cabinet was put together last wee...

11/07/2024

The European Commission warns the Netherlands that it cannot declare an asylum crisis on its own authority. With this warning, the European Commission is putting an end to an important plan of the new right-wing government coalition in The Hague. This new four-party cabinet was put together last wee...

11/07/2024

European Commission warns Netherlands that it cannot declare an asylum crisis yet

The European Commission made short work of the Cabinet-Schoof’s plan to declare an asylum crisis, saying that it is not possible to do this that easily. According to European asylum guidelines, Suspending asylum application processing is also not feasible.

The Netherlands must submit a well-substantiated request to the European Commission in order to declare an asylum crisis. They will judge the request, European Commissioner of Migration Ylva Johansson wrote.

The Netherlands first needs to show that it has done enough to get the asylum chain in order before it can declare an asylum crisis, Johansson wrote in answer to the questions of member of parliament Sophie in ’t Veld.

The coalition agreement of the PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB states that there will immediately be a temporary Asylum Crisis Act. “With crisis measures to combat the acute asylum influx and reception crisis for the near future.”

One of the things in this temporary law, which is meant to apply for a maximum of two years, is the suspension of processing asylum applications. The Coalition partners called that an ‘asylum decision stop.’

If the Netherlands does not follow European rules and declares an asylum crisis anyway without permission from the European Commission, the Commission can intervene through a so-called infringement procedure.

A warning that the Netherlands must adhere to European rules is the first step in a procedure like this, which could eventually lead to a court case at the European Court

The European Commission made short work of the Cabinet-Schoof’s plan to declare an asylum crisis, saying that it is not possible to do this that easily. According to European asylum guidelines, Suspending asylum application processing is also not feasible. The Netherlands must submit a well-substa...

10/07/2024

Pro-European groups keep the far right out of Brussels power

The European Parliament is working on the formation of new political groups. Although the conservative and right-wing political parties have won votes and seats in many EU countries, it appears that the current European coalition (of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and Liberals), with the support of Conservatives and Greens, will defeat the (still divided) right-wing and nationalist groups outside the EU power centers.

The European Parliament is working on the formation of new political groups. Although the conservative and right-wing political parties have won votes and seats in many EU countries, it appears that the current European coalition (of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats and Liberals), with the supp...

09/07/2024

Disappointing harvests threaten due to flooding after rain

The harvests from the fields in the south of Germany and Austria could be disappointing these summer months. Due to the consequences of the recent excessive rainfall and flooding, smaller yields are now expected.

The harvests from the fields in the south of Germany and Austria could be disappointing these summer months. Due to the consequences of the recent excessive rainfall and flooding, smaller yields are now expected. Especially in Bavaria, grain growers have mixed expectations about the coming harvest.....

08/07/2024

French left-wing coalition and Macron keep Le Pen out of power

The French parliamentary elections have led to a dramatic shift in the political landscape. Contrary to all predictions, the far-right National Front did not win a majority, and the hastily formed coalition of left-wing parties emerged from the ballot box as the winner.

The French parliamentary elections have led to a dramatic shift in the political landscape. Contrary to all predictions, the far-right National Front did not win a majority, and the hastily formed coalition of left-wing parties emerged from the ballot box as the winner. A notable development is the....