Latest news with #EUCommission
BreakingNews.ie
8 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
McGrath defends Kallas over comments about Ireland
Ireland's EU Commissioner doesn't think the vice president of the Commission meant to offend anyone when she commented on neutrality last week. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, said the country's policy lacked understanding of "atrocities, mass deportations, suppression of culture and language". Advertisement Sinn Féin MEP Kathleen Funchion has asked her to apologise for the comments. But Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath thinks what she said was over-interpreted. Mr McGrath said: "I know from my engagement with her that she has a deep affinity for Ireland, there was no malice whatsoever intended in her remarks. "She is a very knowledgeable, very intelligent, very respectful person. She was speaking freely in an open debate in the Parliament, which is something that should be encouraged."
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First Post
15 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Von der Leyen hopes for EU-US trade deal but warns of challenges amid Trump tariffs
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is ready for a trade deal with US President Donald Trump but is prepared if it falters. She maintained that the EU is analysing the latest US negotiating document, which she received on Thursday. read more The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the regional body is ready for a trade deal with US President Donald Trump. However, she warned that the body should be prepared if a deal falters. Von der Leyen maintained that she was analysing the latest US negotiating document, which she received on Thursday. 'Our message today is clear, we are ready for a deal,' she told reporters after briefing EU leaders at a summit in Brussels. 'At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that no satisfactory agreement is reached … and we will defend the European interest as needed. In short, all options remain on the table," the EU Commission President said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that Von Der Leyen leads the commission, responsible for trade on behalf of the EU's 27 member states. Trump has threatened to impose 50 per cent tariffs on all EU goods from 9 July unless the two sides reach a deal. It is pertinent to note that most EU goods already face 10 per cent tariffs in the US. Meanwhile, the Trump administration also imposed levies of 25 per cent on cars and car parts and 50 per cent on steel and aluminium. Amid the looming Trump tariffs, Von der Leyen also floated a 'beginning of redesigning' the World Trade Organisation (WTO). She also noted that the Asia Pacific CPTPP bloc, which also includes the UK, was interested in 'structured collaboration' with the EU, which wanted the same. 'We can think about this as a beginning of redesigning the WTO … to show the world that free trade with a large number of countries is possible on a rules-based foundation,' she averred. As the Trump deadline nears, different countries and the EU are taking different initiatives to save themselves from the tariffs. It'll be interesting to see if an EU-US trade agreement will be on the cards.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
MEPs seek Commission President von der Leyen's resignation with censure motion
A group of European lawmakers has launched an initiative for a no-confidence vote against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, claiming to have collected more than the required 72 signatures to formally submit the motion. Although unlikely to pass, the censure motion could pave the way to broader consequences, replicating the path that led in the 1990s to the voluntary resignation of the EU executive led by Jacques Santer. The move comes in response to a recent court ruling criticising von der Leyen's lack of transparency in relation to the so-called 'Pfizergate' scandal, as well as broader allegations of bypassing the European Parliament and centralising power within the Commission. Romanian hard-right MEP Gheorghe Piperea announced he would submit the motion of censure this week, having gathered signatures from MEPs across at least three political groupings on the right and far-right spectrum: the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the Patriots, the European of Sovereign Nations group (ESN), as well as some non-affiliated members. Despite participation from individual conservative MEPs, the initiative does not officially represent the ECR group, which includes Italy's ruling party, Fratelli d'Italia, led by Giorgia Meloni. 'ECR MEPs participating in this initiative are doing so on an individual basis,' a spokesperson clarified. While the threshold to initiate a no-confidence vote is relatively low, the chances of removing von der Leyen and her Commission are slim. Such a motion requires a two-thirds majority in the 720-seat European Parliament. 'I hope other groups will join the motion, but I'm not naive,' Piperea told Euronews, acknowledging the unlikelihood of success. Related How the love story between von der Leyen and Pfizer turned sour That is not the direct aim however. 'Still, we could gather a couple hundred votes, which may trigger a broader debate among politicians and the public, possibly leading to her voluntary resignation,' said Piperea. No-confidence votes are infrequent but historically significant in the European Parliament. In 1999, the entire European Commission, led by Jacques Santer, resigned amid fraud allegations and transparency issues, despite surviving a confidence vote. Piperea, a lawyer by profession, said that even if the motion fails, it could serve as a valuable political tool. 'There seems to be an unwritten rule that the Commission, and von der Leyen in particular, cannot be held accountable for mistakes or failures. We must end this. In a democracy, there should be accountability, oversight, and responsibility.' The primary driver behind the motion is the ongoing 'Pfizergate' controversy, centred on von der Leyen's refusal to disclose text messages exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations. For this matter, the EU court recently ruled against her. The motion also criticises her handling of legislative affairs, including the withdrawal of environmental proposals without proper consultation with Parliament. Related Commission's Pfizergate loss hailed as 'victory for transparency' The court ruling has amplified criticism of von der Leyen across the political spectrum, with socialists, liberals, and greens voicing concern over her leadership and transparency. According to Piperea, socialist MEPs are also discontented with recent budget cuts to anti-poverty programmes. Nonetheless, the only scenario that could pose a real threat to von der Leyen would likely be a perfect storm, in which a wide range of political groups—including members of her own centre-right European People's Party (EPP)—turn against her for different reasons. The far-right origins of this initiative may deter broader support for it however. A source from The Left group, which has been among the most vocal opponents of von der Leyen and previously filed its own motion of censure, expressed scepticism. 'Some delegations in our group are strongly committed to the cordon sanitaire and avoid cooperation with the ECR,' the source said. 'They've supported Commissioner Fitto during this mandate and didn't back our earlier censure motion. This feels more like a communication stunt.' Piperea acknowledged the ideological roadblocks. 'Some groups aren't fully opposed to the motion itself, but they hesitate simply because it's coming from the right,' he said.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
EU Firms Up Trade Strategy Ahead of Trump's Tariff Deadline
European Union leaders are set to debate their strategy in response to President Donald Trump's trade war, with the likely choices coming down to accepting an unbalanced deal or risking escalation by striking back. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will brief EU leaders on the status of negotiations with the US over dinner Thursday as several capitals push the commission, which handles trade matters for the bloc, to go for a quick deal with the US even if it means that many of Trump's tariffs stay in place, according to people familiar with the matter.
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Farmers back EU Commission proposal that would ban vegetarian products using terms like ‘burger'
IRISH FARMERS ARE backing an EU Commission proposal that would ban plant-based products from using terms such as 'burger' and 'sausage'. Last year, the EU Court of Justice ruled that plant-based foods can continue to be sold and promoted using terms traditionally associated with meat, as long as it does not mislead consumers. A 2021 French law had banned the use of meat-related terms such as 'veggie burgers' or 'vegan sausages' from being used to market foods made from plant-based proteins. But advocacy groups, including the European Vegetarian Union, challenged this and the EU Court of Justice ruled that member states cannot prevent manufacturers of plant-based protein foods from using common descriptive names to label products. However, a French MEP has rekindled the argument. The EU Commission is currently drafting proposals for the reform of the common market organisation regulation, which allows for changes to rules governing agricultural products. French MEP Céline Imart last month added in an amendment to the Commission proposals that would mean only meat products could use terms like 'steak', 'burger', and 'sausage'. Her amendment would also ban 'cell-cultured products' from using these terms. Advertisement President of Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA), Denis Drennan, has said that the use of terms like 'sausage' and 'burger' for vegetarian or vegan foods is 'deliberate and cynical'. 'It must constitute a breach of any trade descriptions act as commonly understood,' he added. Drennan also described the use of such terms for plant-based food as the 'hijacking of traditional meat terms'. He added that is 'constitutes an admission by the corporations involved that they were unable to convince consumers other than by such 'camouflage''. He said farmers are 'irritated' to see non-meat products 'want to replace our naturally produced meat' using terms that 'they know are generally understood to refer to traditional dairy and products'. 'They want to use our terminology and the acceptance borne of centuries that those terms have amongst the general public to effectively 'smuggle' their own products past a sceptical public,' he added. He also claimed that such terms 'have a degree of acceptance and understanding that was hard earned by farmers'. 'Rather than come up with their own terms and descriptions, they simply appropriate the names of the very foods they're trying to replace and supplant,' said Drennan. 'The fact that they're being allowed to 'camouflage' and take advantage of people's understanding is wrong and will have to be addressed.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
