Feature • Europe.Table

Olaf Scholz considered it one of his greatest successes as finance minister. But it is unlikely to impact the current chancellor's coffers much: Minimum taxation rules will apply in EU member states from Jan. 1, 2024. Scholz's successor, Christian Lindner, is still mulling over exactly how these will be implemented. And it is not only Germany's path that is problematic. continue reading →

Claims about the environmental compatibility of products are often false or misleading. With a directive, the EU Commission now declares war on greenwashing. Initial reactions to the leaked draft for "green claims" are positive – only the industry fears contradictions. continue reading →

Technically, importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold in the EU have to fulfill special due diligence requirements. A first inspection report now reveals that most companies do not comply with the requirements. continue reading →

Biodiversity and farm-to-fork strategies: Several EU action plans aim at a green transformation of agriculture. Time is pressing. However, translating these plans into concrete measures and laws is still a long way off. continue reading →

The European Parliament is advocating stricter rules for political advertising on the Internet and is significantly tightening up the Commission's draft. The trilogue with the Council threatens a dispute. continue reading →

The Industry Committee in the European Parliament calls for strict provisions for the protection of intellectual property to be included in the Chips Act. That should please Washington – if the member states go along. continue reading →

The EU wants to break with the fast fashion model. While demand for textiles continues to rise, the industry leaves behind an enormous environmental and social footprint. To reduce this footprint, the EU Commission is focusing in particular on recycling textiles. But the corresponding technologies are still in their infancy. continue reading →

In many EU countries, the traditional partners from the Christian Democratic party family are weakening. That's why the party and parliamentary group leader Manfred Weber started looking for new partners a while ago. His poaching attempts are directed at the right-wing party spectrum. continue reading →

Europe has the opportunity to take a leading role in the Industrial Internet of Things. The Data Act is supposed to provide a legal basis. Can it do that? Experts discussed the issue in the Table.Live briefing. continue reading →

With a month's delay, the Commission has published the consultation on electricity market design. The range of topics is enormous – the ITRE coordinator of the EPP already warns against sky-high expectations. continue reading →

His concessions to government partners are weighing heavily on the Socialist leader in the run-up to this year's elections. Tens of thousands of people protested in Madrid against Sánchez and his alliance with the left-wing Podemos, Catalan separatists and regional nationalists. continue reading →

At the Franco-German Councils of Ministers, both countries demonstrate unity. But Chancellor Scholz puts the brakes on the EU's response to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). continue reading →

The EU partners have a hard time understanding how the German government coalition formulates its European policy positions. In fact, coordination within the federal government is far from smooth – despite good intentions and several rounds of coordination. continue reading →

The long-serving President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in Beijing calls for a more robust way of engaging with the world's second-largest economy. The diversification demanded by politicians has already been taking place for a long time, said Jörg Wuttke in conversation with Finn Mayer-Kuckuk and Felix Lee. continue reading →

The European Court of Justice has withdrawn a preliminary ruling that would have delayed joint EU gas purchases. The court reversed its Jan. 5 ruling Wednesday in response to a statement from the Commission, a spokesman for the court told Europe.Table yesterday. continue reading →

The EU Commission plans to present its legislative package for securing the supply of critical raw materials at the beginning of March. For the Swedish Council Presidency, the issue is a top priority. continue reading →

If Germany really wants to be a security guarantor for the EU, it must act differently, says political scientist Jana Puglierin in an interview with Nana Brink and Viktor Funk. Especially in Central and Eastern Europe, Berlin has lost prestige. continue reading →

For Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), the right moment has come to ensure greater transparency in the European Parliament. In an interview with Claire Stam, he calls for a European anti-corruption authority based on the French model. continue reading →