Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Topic · Organization
The European Council brings together the heads of state or government of the member states. It sets the Union's political direction and settles the questions that ministers cannot.
European Council president begins August 25 trip through Central Europe and Baltics as frugal and cohesion camps remain deadlocked on seven-year spending plan.
The Council's new position paper labels Beijing a strategic challenge and Russia enabler, but stops short of concrete measures as economic ties complicate a unified response.
The Council of the European Union has adopted reforms that simplify compensation procedures while keeping existing payout thresholds intact. Rules take effect in mid-2027.
Foreign ministers unanimously back asset freezes and travel bans on settler organisations and Hamas figures, but stop short of trade measures against Israel despite pressure from Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Germany and Sweden lead calls to end unanimity as Hungary blocks €90 billion Ukraine loan and West Bank settler sanctions, exposing a system unable to match the speed of geopolitical crises.
European Council meeting in Brussels shifts from competitiveness to crisis management after Strait of Hormuz closure spikes energy costs and Trump's Iran policy forces difficult unity choices.
Eurozone finance ministers defied parliament and frontrunner expectations to back the Croatian central bank governor, reshaping the race for the ECB's top jobs over the next two years.
More than 150 tractors paralysed central Brussels while heads of government clashed over a 25-year negotiation that Brazil says must be signed this weekend or abandoned.
Environment ministers approved an 85 percent emissions cut by 2040 with significant reliance on international carbon credits, plus a non-binding 2035 range of 66.25 to 72.5 percent, after all-night talks in Brussels.
German chancellor says he will present concrete demands to curb Brussels legislative output at next week's informal leaders' meeting, putting him at odds with Commission president von der Leyen.
A 2019 phone recording reveals Donald Tusk advised his party on candidate selection despite his EU role requiring political neutrality, while the leak itself reignites allegations of Pegasus spyware misuse by the previous PiS government.
Poland's Council presidency has created an ad-hoc diplomatic group to fast-track omnibus legislation, excluding specialists who negotiated the original laws from speaking in sessions.
The newsletter
Delivered to your inbox on the days we publish. No daily digest, no push notifications, no advertising.