WAR in EUROPE
Russia stepped up its assault on eastern Ukraine ahead of the first anniversary of its invasion on February 24th. Volodomyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president, said the situation in the east had “become tougher” as Russian forces advanced near the city of Bakhmut. However Ukrainian troops there are quietly confident of holding their enemy off. Russia wants to make gains before tanks and weapons from the West arrive in Ukraine.
Ukraine's President vowed more anti-corruption measures as authorities continued raids ahead of the meetings with the EU, reflecting his determination to show that Kyiv can be a reliable steward of billions of dollars in aid. Read more with REUTERS, here.
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EU UKRAINE SUMMIT - Scaling up?
This Friday 3 February, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, for the 24th summit between the European Union and Ukraine.
The fist topic of the agenda is the accession process. Where Zelenskyy thinks that the process will take around two years, Macron thinks a decade is more realistic. Find out more on the article linked below, also covered by Politico EU.
The long decline of global democracy stalled in 2022, according to the latest edition of the Democracy Index from EIU. The annual survey rates the state of democracy across 167 countries on the basis of five measures with a maximum score of ten- electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture and civil liberties. The latest edition finds that almost half (45.3%) of the world’s population live in a democracy of some sort, while more than a third (36.9%) live under authoritarian rule (see map).
Source: EIU
Many events, workshops and visits are taking place in February to celebrate the Art Nouveau 130th anniversary!
In 1893, architect Victor Horta put the finishing touches to Tassel House, the founding work of the Art Nouveau movement in Brussels. The impressive modernity of its façade and its sumptuous interiors - all in stained glass, mosaics and wrought iron - have marked the history of architecture. 130 years later, Brussels plans to take advantage of this anniversary to celebrate Art Nouveau in all its diversity and stake its claim as the capital of this international artistic movement.
Discover the programme at the link below!
EU Institutions
EP: Qatargate- EU Parliament lifts two lawmakers’ immunity
The European Parliament on Thursday lifted the immunity of lawmakers Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, paving the way for Belgian prosecutors to interrogate them about their involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal that has shaken Brussels to its core. More here, with POLITICO.
ECB set to raise rates despite fall in eurozone inflation
Central bank expected to lift deposit rate by half a percentage point on Thursday as pressures persist. More here, with FT. Let us know if you cannot open the article.
INTERNAL MARKET
More EU nations raise concerns over state aid bonanza.
The Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia and Slovakia have joined calls for the European Commission to exercise “great caution” in the revision of its state aid rules - cf. below, document obtained by POLITICO.
“State aid for mass production and commercial activities can lead to significant negative effects including the fragmentation of the internal market, harmful subsidy races and weakening of regional development,” the non-paper, dated February 2 reads.
GREEN DEAL for INDUSTRY
We have all received the news of New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Arden's resignation, a couple of weeks behind. She was the world's youngest female PM. Let's take a look at how this might have impacted her presidency and resignation.
This week, we dive into a hopeful article on Ukraine's victory; we get insight on Scholz's hesitation to send tanks. Moreover, a critical opinion article on the way the "food security crisis" is being framed by AgriFood interests.
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