Elena Sánchez Nicolás

MEPs are set to approve Ursula von der Leyen's new European Commission following infighting between the EPP and S&D — and criticism from other political groups. The Strasbourg session also includes debates on Ukraine, Middle East conflicts, and the EU budget for 2025. Poland's upcoming EU presidency programme will also be revealed.

The silence of EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for

MEPs have said yes to the Ursula von der Leyen 2.0 commission. But support remains weak, and with some unusual splits in party ranks — prompting questions about the fate of the mainstream so-called 'democratic coalition' and future dynamics in the European Parliament.

This week in Brussels, a new EU institutional cycle begins with António Costa leading the Council and a new team of EU commissioners. ECB chief Christine Lagarde addresses MEPs, while six candidates for EU Ombudsman present their priorities. Additionally, a Mercosur summit in Uruguay aims for a final agreement.

The European Commission is setting specific conditions linked to the respect of human rights on future budget support under the EU-Tunisia deal, an official told MEPs in the human rights subcommittee during a debate on Wednesday (4 December).

Often regarded as a 'soft power' in Brussels, the role of the European Ombudsman is a kind of moral watchdog within the world of EU institutions. Now a Portuguese, two Italians, an Estonian, a Dutchman and an Austro-German will face a secret ballot of MEPs next week to replace Emily O'Reilly.

EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss Ukraine, Syria, security, and EU-UK and transatlantic relations. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the gathering. New sanctions on Russia and the Middle East will also be on the EU foreign affairs ministers' agenda for Monday.

Germany is preparing for a snap federal election in February 2025, after chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament on Monday.

Without access to water, food, basic hygiene, healthcare, electricity, or schools, children in Gaza are paying “a high price” in the war between

Leaders of the European Union and the six Western Balkans nations gathered in Brussels — signalling a new momentum for closer ties at the start of the new institutional cycle. What’s next for EU-Balkans relations?