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The Greens' Terry Reintke has pitched her party as the antidote to "right-wing, authoritarian" forces that are trying to water down climate action as she campaigns ahead of June's European elections.

In an interview with Euronews on Thursday, the 36-year-old German - one of two lead candidates fielded by the European Greens for June's ballot - outlined her vision for upholding the embattled European Green Deal, the EUs plan to become the first climate-neutral continent.

In recent months, Reintke's Greens party has led criticism of the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP) - set to top the poll in June and remain the parliaments biggest faction - for what they describe as attempts to water down the Green Deal in response to a wave of demonstrations among farmers.

Farmers' protests led the European Commission of President Ursula von der Leyen to gradually row back on some of its environmental commitments with concessions, including loosening green requirements for accessing subsidies as part of sweeping moves to reduce the administrative burden on farmers.

Reintke's solutions include "reshuffling" the bloc's farming subsidies to allocate funds according to ecological and social indicators rather than the size of farms.

"Big agro-businesses basically get the biggest chunk of the agricultural subsidies. And we would like to turn that around, for example, by having a conditionality when it comes to ecological and social standards," Reinke explained, adding that the Greens also supported a cap on maximum subsidies to ensure a fairer distribution to smaller family farms in Europe.

Reintke also hailed the Green Deal as a "part of the puzzle of making Europe a more secure continent," and as the only way of restoring the continent's competitive industrial edge.

"I always say that the Green Deal and the question of security in Europe are two sides of the same coin," Reintke explained, referring to how Europe had made itself "vulnerable" through its reliance on Russian fossil fuel imports in the years prior to the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"So the Green Deal, having energy coming from wind and solar, having a sustainable, circular economy (...) having energy sources that are not dependent on autocrats, is part of a security strategy that Europe very direly needs, because we see that the world is becoming a more insecure place."

She added that the Green Deal was the only viable European strategy, to ensure the bloc can compete with world powers such as China and the US in developing and deploying clean energies such as green hydrogen and battery technologies.

"Having a massive investment programme from the European level that incentivises member states to go down that road (of clean technologies) (...) is crucial," Reintke said, presenting the Green Deal as the only way for Europe to compete with the heavily subsidised industries of China and the US.

In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - the Biden administration's attractive green subsidy plan that offers generous tax breaks and rebates for green technology made in America - prompted fears of an industrial exodus out of Europe and saw the EU scramble to introduce counter-proposals such as the Net Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act.

The bloc has also recently launched probes into Chinese state subsidies into electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines amid fears the EU industry is flooded by cheap imports.

Reintke also said that a vote for the Greens was the best way of "defending democracy" against right-wing "backlashes against democracy, rule of law and freedom in Europe."

"Citizens have the choice whether they want to have a more right-wing majority in the European Parliament, potentially having authoritarian, far-right forces influencing the programme of the European Commission (...) or (...) whether they want to have progressive, forward-looking, future-oriented policies," she added.

While acknowledging the successes of Commissionchief Ursula von der Leyen, currently campaigning for re-election, she also took a jab at her for losing "traction" during her mandate.

"I would lie if I would say that she (von der Leyen) didn't push forward very positive things in these five years, but atthe same time, we could see that especially towards the end of the legislature, she really lost traction," she said, referring to her party's attack against the Green Deal and attempts to bring down the Nature Restoration law, a bill designed torestore at least 20% of the European Union's land and sea areas by 2030.

Von der Leyen is nonetheless pledging to continue to defend the Green Deal as a "clean growth model" in her campaign.

Asked about the EU's response to the conflict gripping in the Middle East, and whether the bloc should consider sanctions on Israel for its response in Gaza to Hamas' October 7 attacks, Reintke said: "I think that we should put pressure on Israel."

She also argued the bloc could use its trade deal, the EU-Israel Association Agreement, to exert pressure on Tel Aviv, a proposal first tabled by Ireland and Spain, considered among the bloc's fiercest critics of Netanyahu's war in Gaza.

"We should, for example, use the Association Agreement that we have to say, look, what is happening right now is not good, also not for the security of Israel and Israeli citizens," Reintke said.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with all the Spitzenkandidaten. The full interview with Terry Reintke will air on Euronews on May 10.

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The Greens' Reintke vows to keep EU on track towards climate neutrality amid right-wing backlash - Euronews

During her visit to Beirut today, European Commission President Ursulavon der Leyen, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, discussed the significant domestic and regional challenges faced by Lebanon, and how best the EU could support the country and its people.

She announced that the EU will provide afinancial assistance package for Lebanon worth 1 billion for 2024 to 2027.

This continued EU support will strengthen basic services such as education, social protection and health for the people in Lebanon. It will accompany urgent economic, financial and banking reforms. Furthermore, support will be provided to the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security forces with equipment and training for border management and to fight against smuggling.

Presidentvon der Leyensaid: My visit today is a strong testimony of the EU's continued support to Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message of European leaders at our last summit, and are committed to provide strong financial support to the country in view of the significant challenges it faces. The 1 billion until 2027 will provide much needed assistance to the people in Lebanon and contribute to its security and stability.

Background

The visit of President von der Leyen to Lebanon follows the special meeting of the European Council on 17-18 April, where the Council confirmed the EU's determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities, as well as strengthening support to Lebanese Armed Forces, combating human trafficking and smuggling. The European Council also reaffirmed the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR.

The EU's support will focus on:

Since 2011, the EU support to Lebanon amounts to more than 3 billion, including 2.6 billion to support Syrian refugees as well as host communities in Lebanon.

For more information

European Council Conclusionsof 17-18 April 2024

Factsheet_EU-Lebanon cooperation

EU-Lebanon cooperation

My visit today is a strong testimony of the EUs continued support to Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message of European leaders at our last summit, and are committed to provide strong financial support to the country in view of the significant challenges it faces. The 1 billion until 2027 will provide much needed assistance to the people in Lebanon and contribute to its security and stability.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

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President von der Leyen reaffirms EU's strong support for Lebanon and its people and announces a 1 billion package ... - European Union

In the first quarter of 2024, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU, compared with the previous quarter, according to a preliminary flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2023, GDP had declined by 0.1% in the euro area and had remained stable in the EU.

These preliminary GDP flash estimates are based on data sources that are incomplete and subject to further revisions.

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU in the first quarter of 2024, after +0.1% in the euro area and +0.2% in the EU in the previous quarter.

Among the Member States for which data are available for the first quarter of 2024, Ireland (+1.1%) recorded the highest increase compared to the previous quarter, followed by Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary (all +0.8%). Sweden (-0.1%) was the only Member State that recorded a decrease compared to the previous quarter. The year on year growth rates were positive for nine countries and negative for four.

The next estimates for the first quarter of 2024 will be released on 15 May 2024.

The reliability of GDP flash estimates was tested by dedicated working groups and revisions of subsequent estimates are continuously monitored. Further information can be found on Eurostat website.

With this preliminary flash estimate, euro area and EU GDP figures for earlier quarters are not revised.

All figures presented in this release may be revised with the GDP t+45 flash estimate scheduled for 15 May 2024 and subsequently by Eurostats regular estimates of GDP and main aggregates (including employment) scheduled for 7 June 2024 and 19 July 2024.

The preliminary flash estimate of the first quarter of 2024 GDP growth presented in this release is based on the data of 18 Member States, covering 95% of euro area GDP and 94% of EU GDP.

Comprehensive estimates of European main aggregates (including GDP and employment) are based on countries regular transmissions and published around 65 and 110 days after the end of each quarter. To improve the timeliness of key indicators, Eurostat also publishes flash estimates for GDP (after around 30 and 45 days) and employment (after around 45 days). Their compilation is based on estimates provided by EU Member States on a voluntary basis.

This news release presents preliminary flash estimates for euro area and EU after around 30 days.

European quarterly national accounts are compiled in accordance with the European System of Accounts 2010 (ESA 2010).

Gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices measures the production activity of resident production units. Growth rates are based on chain-linked volumes.

Two statistical working papers present the preliminary GDP flash methodology for the European estimates and Member States estimates.

The method used for compilation of European GDP is the same as for previous releases.

Euro area (EA20): Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.

European Union (EU27): Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.

Excerpt from:
GDP up by 0.3% in both the euro area and the EU - European Commission

Contrary to the current European Union reform debate, it is possible to have the enlargement process and deeper EU integration run parallel, former European Commission president Jos Manuel Barroso told Euractiv.

A very important lesson learned from then is that its possible to enlarge and deepen [the EU] at the same time, Barroso said. There were always those who said, more enlargement means less deepening this is completely false.

Under Barrosos two Commissions, the EU first increased from 15 to 25 members when ten countriesCyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Sloveniajoined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania followed in 2008, and Croatia in 2013.

It was a historic, unprecedented success of the EU, showing also the transformative capacity of the bloc, Barroso said, adding Europe should not lose the perspective of what happened back then.

Over the years, Barroso said the EU has made more progress in deeper integration, especially with debt mutualisation under the NextGenerationEU fund and a higher level of convergence between 27 member states in UN votes than at 12 members.

When asked about lessons learned from two decades of enlargement, Barroso said they would be to avoid grey zones of instability in the EUs neighbourhood and not to lose the standards of the EU.

Despite issues with the rule of law in some of the newer EU member states, Barroso said, They are now much better off than before joining the European Union, namely when they were under Communist rule.

I thought it was a huge mistake when, after my second Commission term in 2014, it was said there would be no more enlargement in the next five years, Barroso said.

It was creating disappointment, frustration and even resentment and it was ignoring the sensitivity of those countries and those people, he said.

Asked about European Council President Charles Michels 2030 target, Barroso does not favour definitive dates as it could create disappointment.

But its especially important now, namely because of Ukraine, how to deal with time because the reality is that its not realistic to have a country in the EU that is in a state of war, Barroso said.

Barroso echoed calls from the current European Commission and some EU member states for the gradual integration of candidate countries by letting them participate in some of the blocs meetings, programmes and institutional structures.

Precisely because its going to be difficult and probably long, we need to start earlier [to integrate them] as weve done before, he added.

In Brussels, the question of when the bloc is ready for new members goes hand in hand with how it will function when it expands from 27 to potentially over 30 members.

Asked whether the blocs treaties can handle 36 members or if it would require another treaty change, Barroso said it would be a huge mistake if now Europeans would start a fundamental revision of the [EU] institutions because of the enlargement.

Im not saying this to defend the Lisbon Treaty, which I negotiated, but because it requires unanimity to change a treaty, and if we start introducing other issues [like enlargement] in the process, the pretexts for opposing it are going to increase, Barroso said.

There will be people who want to block enlargement, so they will use institutional arguments, and there will be people who want to block institutional reform, so they will use enlargementwe should not mix the problems, he added.

Instead, the bloc should avoid too ambitious reforms and only make those strictly necessary for enlargement.

I was president of a Commission with 28 members and all studies, all opinions, showed that our Commission was taking decisions more effectively and quicker than the previous smaller Commissions, Barroso said.

Asked about the current debate on the potential cost of enlargement as an argument against it, Barroso said, The alternative will certainly cost more than to invest in enlargement.

Are we ready to pay for the instability of tomorrow, encouraged by the possible success of Russia in Ukraine? Does it cost less?

The issue of costs has to be seen strategically and not just in the short-term accounting manner, Barroso said, adding: Our conclusion [in 2004] was the advantages, not only political but also in economic terms, were higher than the costs.

He also called for reform of the EUs system of own resources. Instead of the current net payers and receivers system, the EU could have some own resources linked, for instance, to the VAT or member states paying according to benefits [they have] from the internal market.

According to him, the EU should really invest in the enlargement from all points of view.

Sometimes its not just about money its about attention, its about being present [in those countries], and its about giving advice and that requires something bigger and larger than what we have seen so far, Barroso said.

It cannot only be done by the DG and the respective Commissioner, with all due respect. It needs to involve the [European] societies as a whole.

In a reference to the current pro-EU protest in Georgia, where demonstrators rally against a foreign influence bill which could jeopardise the countrys path into the bloc, Barroso said:

We see people waving EU flags, [like they have done on the Maidan when I was in Ukraine]. What do we want more? How many people in current EU member states would do this at the moment?

This is why we need to deal with these aspirations in a way that is not just political or administrative and technical, he added.

Originally posted here:
Possible to enlarge and deepen EU at the same time, Barroso says - EURACTIV

The European Union is getting ready to launch a new investigation into Meta over its handling of election-related content, according to a new report in The Guardian. Details of the investigation could be announced later this week, but European officials are reportedly concerned about deceptive advertising and political content.

According to the Financial Times, the EU has also raised concerns about Russias efforts to undermine upcoming European elections and other foreign interference campaigns. The EU is set to hold parliamentary elections in June. If the company is found to have run afoul of the Europes Digital Services Act, it could be hit with large fines.

EU officials are also particularly concerned about Metas plan to shut down CrowdTangle in August. The tool has been widely used by researchers and fact checkers for years to study how content spreads across Facebook and Instagram. Dozens of researchers and fact-checking groups signed an open letter to the company last month saying that shutting down the tool ahead of dozens of global elections would be a direct threat to election integrity efforts around the world.

We have a well-established process for identifying and mitigating risks on our platforms, a Meta spokesperson told Engadget in a statement. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the European Commission and providing them with further details of this work.

Elsewhere, the EU is also investigating Meta over its ad-free subscription plan available to European users. That investigation, which could last up to a year, will look into whether the social media company has violated Europes Digital Markets Act, by not offering users a real alternative to opt out of data collection.

Originally posted here:
The European Union will reportedly open a new investigation into Meta over election policies - Engadget