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In today’s news from the Capitals:
TIRANA | ROME
Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers rescued from the Mediterranean by Italian vessels will be sent to Albania for processing following an agreement between Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Monday.
But the decision has sparked controversy in both countries, including complaints over a lack of political consensus and parliamentary vote, with the EU warning it must respect national and international law.
Human rights issues and risks over inadequate oversight have also been raised, considering similar deals with other countries have been rejected or challenged in court. Read more.
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EU INSTITUTIONS | WARSAW
Polish MEPs inciting hate against migrants could lose immunity. The European Parliament’s legal affairs committee (JURI) will issue its recommendation on Tuesday morning on whether four Polish MEPs accused of inciting hatred against migrants should be stripped of their immunity, as the accused insist the charges are an attack on freedom of speech. Read more.
EU agrees on political advertising rulebook effective after Parliament elections. To limit foreign interference and increase transparency, the EU Council and Parliament agreed on a regulation on Monday that harmonises requirements for political advertising across countries and bans foreign actors from sponsoring political ads before an election – but the rules will only apply after the EU elections. Read more.
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PARIS
Renew’s Loiseau: Putin could be ‘geopolitical winner’ of Israel-Palestine war. With all eyes now on the Middle East, the growing disinterest in Russia’s war in Ukraine is playing right into Putin’s hands, wrote French Renew lawmaker Nathalie Loiseau in an op-ed on Monday. Read more.
‘Don’t touch my rural life’: French hunters’ representative announces EU election bid. French hunters’ representative Willy Schraen has made his candidacy for the EU elections official, heading a list that will defend the rural way of life he says is under threat from EU ‘technocrats’. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany reaffirms backing of two-state solution for Palestine. The German government insisted on Monday that it continues to back the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but stated that Israel’s protection was more pressing. Read more.
Germany speeds up infrastructure projects with automatic approvals. Germany’s federal and state governments have agreed on a package to speed up the roll-out of new infrastructure projects, such as railways and power grids, partly by automatically approving applications if there is no timely response by responsible authorities. Read more.
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THE HAGUE
Dutch poll leader shows openness to right-wing minority coalition. Breaking his silence on his coalition preferences for the first time, New Social Contract (NSC) leader and poll leader Pieter Omtzigt said on Monday that a minority coalition of right-wing parties was an attractive option for him but remained tight-lipped on whether he would take on the role of prime minister himself. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ATHENS
Greece imposes heavy fines on multinationals amid public anger for rising prices. The Greek conservative government has imposed a €2 million fine on two multinational companies for unfair, excessive profit margins as public anger over rising prices for essential goods is growing with a heavy political impact on the ruling New Democracy party (EPP). Read more.
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MADRID
Sánchez edges deal with Catalan separatists as judges strike back. As Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s PSOE party and the Catalan separatist formation JxCat, led by former regional president Carles Puigdemont, close in on a deal, Spanish judges have challenged the ‘all-important’ but controversial amnesty law, while some colleagues are pressing ahead with ongoing investigations into Catalan leaders. Read more.
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LISBON
Portugal sets new record as energy production exceeds demand. Renewable energy production in Portugal reached a new high, exceeding consumption needs for 149 hours in a row, said the energy manager REN on Monday. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Polish president re-appoints Morawiecki amid accusations of ‘buying’ time. President Andrzej Duda appointed current Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to form a government on Monday, giving priority to Law and Justice (PiS, ECR), amid accusations of buying time to milk public funds, destroy documents, take strategic decisions and – with no chances – try to find a majority. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Slovakia asks Czechia to revive Visegrad to coordinate on migration, EU budget. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico asked his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala to revive the Visegrad Four group (comprised of Czechia, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary) to coordinate on migration and the EU’s multiannual financial framework. Read more.
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BUDAPEST
Hungary museum head fired for not enforcing LGBTQ law. The head of the Hungarian National Museum was sacked on Monday (6 November) for “failing” to enforce a government order barring minors from an exhibition under a controversial law targeting LGBTQ content. Read more.
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BRATISLAVA
Slovakia will allow the commercial sale of weapons to Ukraine. The commercial sale of ammunition does not go against previous governmental declarations of stopping military aid to Ukraine, said Prime Minister Robert Fico after he also greenlit European Council conclusions that included military aid for Ukraine. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Pro-EU parties beat the pro-Russian coalition in Sofia’s mayoral elections. The mayoral election in Sofia called the third most important post in the country, was won by IT Entrepreneur Vasil Terziev, from the pro-European coalition between We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria and Save Sofia, beating former trade unionist Vanya Grigorova, who was nominated by a coalition of pro-Russian left and far-right parties. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Bucharest coalition leaders criticise their own cash limit payment rules. Romania’s decision to limit cash payment for individuals and businesses, which will come into effect on Saturday, has sparked controversy from within the governing coalition, with leaders criticising their fiscal measures. Read more.
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BELGRADE
Serbia’s election campaigns all highlight Kosovo and inflation. Inflation, the standard of living, and Kosovo are the main topics highlighted in the ruling party and the opposition’s campaigns ahead of the 17 December elections. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosts “Global Board Ready Women” task force; Holds meeting with King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein;
- Vice President Vĕra Jourová hosts Japan State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kiyoto Tsuji; Speaks at EU – Japan Business Round Table; Meets with CEOs of the European Telecommunications Network Operators; Receives CEO of TikTok Shou Chew, Head of Global Government Affairs at Twitter Nick Pickles;
- Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič hosts Foreign Affairs Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba; Receives representatives of Green 10, The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) and European Coordination Via Campesina, to discuss the transition to sustainable food systems; Hosts Vice President of the Paris Peace Forum and coordinator of the Jacques Delors Institutes Pascal Lamy;
- Commission Vice President Dubravka Šuica participates in structured dialogue exchange with Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs;
- Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni participates in 2022 discharge hearing with Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control;
- Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira participates in launch event on “Future of Cohesion Policy” at Parliament; Delivers opening speech at Parliament’s Regional Development meeting with EU National Parliaments;
- Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi participates in Global Europe (NDICI) high level dialogue;
- Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski speaks at 17th Annual Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture from Southeastern Europe;
- International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen participates in the high level Geopolitical Dialogue (HLGD) with Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development Committees;
- Commissioner Nicolas Schmit participates in joint hearing of the Parliament’s Committees on Budgets and Budgetary Control on “Implementation of the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation”; Gives speech at OECD Economic Policy Committee (EPC) on “The future EU Social and Employment Policy”;
- Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton delivers keynote speech at high level space dialogue between EU and the Community of Latin America and Caribbean states (CELAC); Participates in ESA Council meeting at ministerial level as part of the Space Summit 2023, in Sevilla, Spain;
- Financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union Commissioner Mairead McGuinness participate in trilogue on instant payments;
- France: MSF press conference on humanitarian situation in Gaza;
- Tokyo: G7 foreign affairs ministers meeting;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]
