National Rally stands by Marine Le Pen – for now
Source: Euractiv
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
Today’s edition is powered by Cosmetics Europe
Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference 2025 (11-12 June)
Taking place in person, in Brussels, CEAC 2025 will gather industry experts, policymakers, companies & other stakeholders to discuss the latest cosmetics industry developments.
Register now to benefit from the early bird discount! Available until 19 April.
Find out more.
In today’s news from The Capitals:
PARIS
Senior members of France’s far-right National Rally, who gathered in Paris on Sunday for what was billed as a demonstration against her recent conviction, condemned what they called the “execution” of their leader by the courts, but again failed to outline a new strategy for their party ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
BERLIN
As EU pushes for digitised medical records, Germany’s e-patient files fall behind. As part of the European Health Union, the Commission has been pushing for more cross-border exchange of medical data through the European Health Data Space – but Germany’s e-patient file launch faces ongoing delays. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
Five Star Movement leads major protest in Rome against EU defense push. Tens of thousands marched through Rome on Saturday in a protest led by the Five Star Movement against the European Union’s proposed rearmament plan, as recent polls show Italians are among the EU’s most reluctant supporters of increased defense spending. Read more.
///
ATHENS
Greek high-cost medicines home delivery service set for June roll-out completion. The National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) is expanding its home delivery service for high-cost medicines, aiming for gradual implementation by May 2025 and full operation by the end of June. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Poland fails to appoint digital democracy watchdog ahead of election. Poland has failed to appoint a national digital services coordinator, required under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) to ensure the protection of elections and civic discourse from interference and misinformation online, before the country elects a new president in May. Read more.
Polish-Belarusian border equipped with surveillance systems. The entire stretch of the Polish-Belarusian border in the Podlaskie region is now covered by modern surveillance systems, the ministry of internal affairs and administration announced on Sunday.
“The Border Guard has taken over the electronic barrier built along the border rivers of Swisłocz and Istoczanka. The modernisation of the electronic barrier along the existing physical fence has also been completed,” the ministry wrote on X.
Tense context. The number of foreigners attempting to illegally cross the border from Belarus into Poland has recently increased, according to the spokesman for the ministry. He stated on Saturday that any attempts to approach or breach the border barrier will be immediately detected.
On 27 March, a regulation came into force temporarily restricting the right to apply for international protection.The right to asylum restriction will remain in place for 60 days and can be extended for another period of up to 60 days, but only with parliamentary approval.
A 5.5-meter-high steel barrier, built in 2022, stands 186 kilometers of the border with Belarus. It is the main element securing the border against illegal migration. It is complemented by an electronic barrier, which covers both the fence and river sections.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk (PO, EPP) announced last Friday that the government will soon initiate an information campaign targeting seven countries. These countries have been identified as the primary source of migrants attempting to illegally cross the Polish border.
(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)
///
PRAGUE
US car part tariffs could hurt Czechia more than reciprocal duties. New US import tariffs on car parts, set to begin on 3 May, could hit Czech manufacturers harder than the recently announced reciprocal tariffs, Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS, ECR) said on Czech Television on Sunday.
While reciprocal duties have only a secondary effect on Czechia, the planned 25% tariff on car parts may have a more serious impact.
Kupka warned this could lead to a faster economic slowdown.
For Czechia, the US is its tenth largest export market. Although Czech firms mostly export via other European countries, the US still accounted for 2.9% of total Czech exports last year.
(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)
///
BRATISLAVA
Fico’s party considers referendum on increased defence spending. Erik Kaliňák, head of the advisory board to the PM Robert Fico and MEP for Smer-SD (NI), said that their party is considering the possibility of a referendum on increased defence spending, should the funds not be used also for infrastructure projects, such as bridges or hospitals.
“If the situation arises where the increased defence spending cannot be used dual-purpose – for example, on infrastructure, bridge reconstruction, or hospital construction – and Slovakia would only be spending more on weapons and ammunition, we could consider organising a referendum on this issue to obtain a clear mandate from citizens that such an increase in spending is not acceptable,” Kaliňák told state broadcaster STVR on Sunday.
Slovakia currently meets the required two percent of GDP for defence spending. However, there is a divide within the political scene and among citizens regarding whether to increase these expenditures further.
According to a March survey for news media JOJ 24, about 46.5% of citizens believe the spending should be increased, while 46% are opposed. The remainder either didn’t know or chose not to answer.
(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Police involvement in €6 million cigarette smuggling case shakes Bulgarian politics. A major scandal involving alleged police protection of a multimillion-euro cigarette smuggling operation has shaken Bulgaria’s political scene, triggering calls for the resignation of the interior minister in the EU’s poorest member state. Read more.
///
BUCHAREST
Romania’s presidential race begins amid calls to avoid runoff with sovereignists. Romania’s presidential election campaign officially began on Friday, ahead of the first round of voting on 4 May. The pro-European camp is increasingly concerned that, according to the latest polls, two sovereignist candidates could make it to the runoff on 18 May. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Foreign Affairs Council convenes to discuss trade relations with the US, China;
- Informal meeting of culture and media ministers expected to focus on protection of cultural heritage, young artists labour market, and more;
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participates in video conferences with industry representatives as part of the EU Strategic Dialogue on Steel, Automotive Industry future;
- High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas on official visit in Podgorica, Montenegro; Meets with President Jakov Milatović, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, Minister of Defence Dragan Krapović;
- Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera meets with European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC); Participates in panel discussion on green transition, competitiveness and decarbonisation with Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre;
- Vice President Henna Virkkunen holds structured dialogue with Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection; Receives French Data Protection Authority President Marie-Laure Denis;
- Vice President Raffaele Fitto meets with Canary Islands Regional Government President Clavijo Batlle; Participates in Presidents of the Outermost Regions conference;
- Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection holds public hearing on protection of minors online;
- Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence debates Security Action for Europe (SAFE);
- Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs debates establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals.
***
[Edited by Vas Panagiotopoulos, Charles Szumski, Daniel Eck, Sofia Mandilara]
The original article: belongs to Euractiv .
