The European Union has reached a political agreement to delay and amend its flagship Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), thereby also confirming that books, newspapers and other printed materials will no longer fall under the law’s requirements. After intensive trilogue negotiations on December 4, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission agreed […]
EU Finalises Delay to Deforestation Rules Read More »
NGOs still remain influential in policy debate on EU spending By Pieter Cleppe The Danish Presidency has ignited a major political storm in Brussels after introducing a last-minute overhaul of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) that dramatically raises taxes on heated tobacco products. A newly circulated Council draft reveals that both the Presidency and the
Danish EU Presidency pushes ‘super tax’ on heated tobacco Read More »
This summer, the European Commission unveiled five new proposed “own resources” to fund the EU’s next long-term budget — the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covering 2028–2034. While two of these ideas, the “Corporate Resource for Europe” (CORE) and the “Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource” (TEDOR), have drawn the loudest resistance from member states, the real
An Endless Appetite for Taxes: Inside the EU Commission’s Policy Mindset Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe In Belgium, the debate over the future of the welfare state has found a focal point: Frank Vandenbroucke (picture). The veteran socialist, who serves as Belgium’s federal health minister, has become emblematic of how Europe’s welfare systems, under intense financial strain, are turning to centralised and coercive measures to impose savings and
Belgium’s Health Care Battles: When Welfare States Tighten Control Read More »
How the EU’s NGO Funding Machine is Losing Public Confidence By Pieter Cleppe Once hailed as the world’s most trusted institutions, NGOs have seen their credibility erode. Two decades ago, the Edelman Trust Barometer ranked NGOs above corporations, governments, and media. Today, businesses are more trusted than NGOs. This shift isn’t accidental—it’s the result of
By Pieter Cleppe The European Commission’s proposed 2028–2034 long term EU budget exemplifies its growing craving for power and money. Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to strongly increase the “MFF” or Multiannual financial framework from €1.2 trillion to €2 trillion. Also, Brussels seeks to shift fiscal power from member states
A Craving for Power and Money: The EU Commission’s Budget Proposal Read More »
By Lars Patrick Berg MEP According to a report by the news platform Euractiv, a Belgian lobbyist has filed a lawsuit against a second term of office of the President of the European Commission. Today, Ursula von der Leyen had to appear in an expedited public hearing before the Brussels Court of First Instance. In
On Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizergate Read More »