Brussels hesitates after ECJ ruling + EU-Africa summit and the energy transition + Electricity prices

Yesterday, the ECJ dismissed the actions brought forward by the governments in Poland and Hungary against the EU’s rule of law mechanism. This allows the EU Commission to withhold funds for member states if democratic rights and freedoms are violated. But there is no question of Brussels taking swift action: it could take “weeks” before action is taken against the violations, it said. Numerous politicians criticize the slow pace and speak of a “stalling tactic”. But Eric Bonse has learned that there are good reasons for proceeding cautiously.

More than four years have passed since the last official summit between the European Union and the African Union. Today, the heads of state and government of the two continents are meeting in Brussels to strengthen relations that have not always been easy. The EU wants to mobilize €150 billion and help its partner countries from the global south with infrastructure projects, including with know-how. The focus is also on sustainable economic development and possible cooperation in the field of renewable energies and green hydrogen. But while industry already sees the EU’s import needs covered, development experts warn against neocolonial structures, as Timo Landenberger reports.

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Sarah Schaefer