The EU plans to combat the housing shortage with more funding and a reduction in bureaucracy. Digitalized approval procedures and a Europe-wide materials platform should enable faster and cheaper housing construction.
By Marion Bergermann
The EU Commission wants to allow unlimited pesticide approvals. However, it has back-pedaled on what it was initially proposing.
By Julia Dahm
Montenegro is experiencing a democratic generational change with the new leadership centered around Prime Minister Milojko Spajić. The small country is accelerating its EU accession process, becoming a potential model for the entire Western Balkans.
By Jakov Devčić
The European Parliament has approved a stricter version of the safeguard clauses for the Mercosur agreement. The signing of the agreement on Saturday remains an ambitious but potentially achievable deadline.
By János Allenbach-Ammann
The Commission is offering EUR 1.8 billion to support battery cell production in the EU. The measures are aimed at achieving greater independence from Chinese products and greater diversification of supply chains.
By Manuel Berkel
The Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWE) wants to allow companies to receive both the industrial electricity price and electricity price compensation at the same time. It remains to be seen whether this is permissible under state aid law.
By Manuel Berkel
The Commission is planning to extend its CBAM carbon border tariff to other products such as car parts and household appliances. European companies are to be compensated for higher costs if they invest in climate action.
By Lukas Knigge
The EU Commission is apparently planning to reverse its previous decision to phase out the internal combustion engine. At first glance, this would appear to be a reasonable measure to support the car industry. But in the long term, it will lead to cost inefficiencies, increase Europe’s dependence on imports and damage the car industry even more.
By Beatrix Keim
At the Energy Council, Germany and other major EU states have spoken out against the Commission’s proposal for centralized grid planning. A financial issue triggered particularly fierce opposition from Sweden.
By Manuel Berkel
At its meeting today, the College of Commissioners also wants to reduce bureaucracy in automotive regulations. The Commission estimates that these measures would save bureaucratic costs of EUR 709 million a year. Here is an overview of the proposals.
By Markus Grabitz
