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Hungary's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play
Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Hungary was allocated €5.8 billion in the form of grants. This amount reflects the European Commission's revision applied in June 2022 to all EU Member States, as the initial Hungarian national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) was only approved past that date, at the end of 2022. In August 2023, the country submitted a modified NRRP in order to make changes to several measures due to objective circumstances, and to include a new REPowerEU chapter ...
Sweden's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play
Sweden's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) is financed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The NRRP's total volume increased from an initial €3 289 million to €3 502 million in the revised version. The total amount of funds under the RRF was revised in June 2022, which reduced the final amount allocated to Sweden to €3 181 million. Adding to this its REPowerEU grant allocation of €198 million and the requested transfer of €66 million of its share of the Brexit Adjustment ...
Revision of the European Works Councils Directive: Stronger social dialogue in a multinational context
European Works Councils (EWCs) are bodies that should guarantee employees the right to be consulted on important issues in large multinational companies active in multiple EU countries. However, EWCs have been criticised for being ineffective, on account of unclear definitions, non-dissuasive sanctions and ineffective access to justice. In February 2023, the European Parliament called for legislative action to address the shortcomings identified and strengthen the functioning of EWCs. In response ...
Understanding EU action on Roma inclusion
The Roma are Europe's largest ethnic minority. Out of an estimated total of 10-12 million Roma in Europe as a whole, some 6 million live in the European Union (EU) and most of them are citizens of an EU Member State. A significant number of Roma people live in very poor socio-economic conditions. The social exclusion, discrimination and segregation they face are mutually reinforcing. Their restricted access to education and difficulties entering the labour market result in low income and poor health ...
Germany's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play
Germany was originally entitled to a maximum financial contribution of €25.6 billion in grants from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the unprecedented EU response to the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) for Germany does not include requests for loans. Following the latest amendment of the German NRRP in July 2024, which added a REPowerEU chapter, the EU resources devoted to the plan reached €30.3 billion. This amount corresponds ...
Current membership of the European Council
The European Council consists of the 27 Heads of State or Government of the EU Member States, who are voting members, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, who have no vote (Article 15(2) Treaty on European Union). The chart shows the current members, the national office they hold, their most recent European political affiliation, and the year their membership began.
China's increasing presence in Latin America: Implications for the European Union
Within just two decades, China has transformed from an insignificant player to a dominant force in Latin America, alongside the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). Predictions suggest that by 2035, China may even overtake the US as Latin America's most important trading partner. China has been South America's top trading partner for quite some time. The region holds strategic importance for the future of the global economy due to its abundance of resources and critical raw materials, ...
Acquisition and loss of citizenship in EU Member States: Overview and key issues
Access to citizenship status is an important prerequisite for enjoying rights and privileges, such as migration and political rights, as well as for developing a sense of identity and belonging. Since the establishment of Union citizenship, all persons who are nationals or citizens of an EU Member State enjoy the status of EU citizenship, which confers on them a number of additional rights and privileges. However, Member States retain full control over whom they recognise as citizens. Although the ...
State aid assessment: Final judgment on Apple
In September 2024, a Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment, rendered in appeal, concluded a 10-year State aid procedure on Ireland's past tax rulings relating to Apple. The ECJ judgment did not go as anticipated. In addition, the over €13 billion in aid to be recovered from Apple eclipsed the grounds for the decision, which derive from the specific historical structure of the business and national provisions.
Policy hub on Better law-making
These proceedings cover the Policy Hub on Better Law-Making in the European Union held on December 4, 2024. During the hub European academics indicated that European legislation is no longer fit for purpose and urgently needs modernisation. The experts recommended simplification of the structure and the drafting style of European legislation, citizen-centred approach to EU legislation, along with improving evidence base and digitisation. These proceedings are prepared by Policy Department for Justice ...