Author: Euronews

The 2024 elections to the European Parliament promise to give the Spitzenkandidaten system a new chance. But can the grand project survive its inherent shortcomings and contradictions? ADVERTISEMENTThe system was introduced in 2014 when the bloc held the first poll after the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force. The exhaustive revision of the foundational text clarified how the president of the European Commission, the most powerful and influential institution, was to be appointed.The new treaty said that “taking into account the elections to the European Parliament and after having held the appropriate consultations,” EU leaders should select one presidential hopeful, who…

Ireland launched a phased plan last year to bring excise rates back to the levels they were at before the Russia-Ukraine war. ADVERTISEMENTIrish consumers will be seeing price hikes for a range of fuels, as well as mobile, broadband and television connections from Monday 1 April. The government has announced that it will be increasing its excise rates on fuel, in order to bring it back to the level it was at two years ago, when a temporary reduction was announced.Back in March 2022, Ireland had cut excise duties due to soaring fuel prices in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine…

European voters are as unhappy as farmers with the bloc’s protection of agriculture, accounting the largest slice of the EU budget. Source link

Falling services and energy inflation also contributed to March’s reduced inflation print. Source link

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent in any way the editorial position of Euronews. Progressives are struggling to not only mobilise citizens behind movements that can effectively push back at the rising tide of right-wing populism, but also win. A move towards community financing could give them the ammunition they need, Mar Garcia Sanz writes. ADVERTISEMENTWe are on the cusp of a small donor revolution in politics and civil society. Campaign funding, once the preserve of the state and a handful of wealthy individuals, is now increasingly shaped by grassroots payments — ranging from…

Experts suggest Ocado should try to woo US investors as the firm’s dispute with M&S rolls on. ADVERTISEMENTBritish firm Ocado, which uses technology like AI and robotics to deliver online grocery needs, has seen a steady decline in its share price.Despite reducing losses in 2023, shares have dropped by 66% in the last five years, and the company is not currently turning a profit.In light of this lacklustre performance, experts – quoted by the Telegraph – have suggested that Ocado may want to shake off its ties with UK retailer Marks & Spencer.The two firms joined forces as part of…

The Cube takes a look at claims the European Commission president’s grandparents were Nazis and pictured shaking hands with Adolf Hitler. Source link

The wind sector in the UK could face delays unless domestic steel production is increased, says consultancy group Newton. ADVERTISEMENTForcing the UK to rely on foreign steel to build wind turbines could increase the cost burden and slow down projects, according to a report by Newton Consultancy Group.As part of the government’s plan to decarbonise the economy, it is currently seeking to deliver 50GW of offshore wind power by 2030.To do this, UK steel supply needs to rise by a fifth between 2025 and 2027, the report said.An additional 3.8 million metric tons, equal to 23% of the UK’s annual…

Cocoa prices have been steadily rising due to poor harvests, as a result of extreme weather in important cocoa-producing countries in West Africa. Source link

Property group Knight Frank says Ireland is running on a huge housing deficit as it outlines the country’s future needs. ADVERTISEMENTThe housing shortage in Ireland means that up to 58,000 new units are going to be needed in Ireland each year between now and 2027, according to estate agents Knight Frank and reported by RTE and the Irish Times.The number rises even further, to almost 62,000, when taking into account another 4,000 spaces needed for students, said the group.Of the 58,000 annual total, the report suggested that 32,000 properties should be for first-time buyers or families, while some 10,000 homes…