Archive

Year of Change

  • What are the priorities of the new European Commission?

    December 4, 2019

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdsZV3YESZ8 Today, Ursula von der Leyen chaired the first meeting of the new College of Commissioners. Her team of 26 new Executive Vice-Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Commissioners are ready to deliver on her promises for a Union that strives for more. Her first few days in office are already marked by strong European ambitions on climate policy. Von der Leyen’s first trip as Commission President was to the COP25 meeting in Madrid on Monday. Her first...

  • Circular Economy to Dominate the Agenda for the Next Five Years

    October 24, 2019

    Newly-elected Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has committed to promoting a circular economy in her agenda for Europe, stating that the main priority area is high-impact sectors such as the textiles and construction industries. For some, the announcement seems standardised and vague, perhaps even just a precaution to ensure her confirmation as European Commission President. In reality, the statement is significant when combined with the fact that circular economy proponent, Frans Timmermans, is likely...

  • What challenges await Virginjus Sinkevicius, Commissioner­ designate for Environment and Oceans?

    October 2, 2019

    Ursula von der Leyen, the new Commission President, made a strong environmental ambition the cornerstone of her new College and political programme for the next five years. The new European Parliament has also confirmed this is a priority and will be sure to hold von der Leyen to her promises. With these high expectations, the challenges awaiting Virginjus Sinkevicius, the Commissioner­ designate for Environment and Oceans, will be put under the microscope at this week’s...

  • Europe’s Digital Policy – What to Expect from the Hearing of the Incoming Tech Commissioner(s)

    October 1, 2019

    https://vimeo.com/363276650 The aftermath of the European elections and allocation of Commissioner portfolios has given Europe’s digital agenda a renewed political impetus. As the dust settles, the Commissioner’s hearings will provide a first opportunity to hear the EU’s new leaders detail their tech vision. Amidst a backdrop of Europe’s search for digital sovereignty, these political auditions may bring clarity on the overlapping political responsibilities, the legislative intentions for online platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the...

  • ‘Big Phil’ Is Back – What to Expect from the Hearing of the Incoming Trade Commissioner

    September 26, 2019

    https://vimeo.com/362508662 While most of the legislative machinery in Brussels slowly ground to a halt after the European Parliament elections in May this year, trade has continued at an unabated, albeit rocky pace. Phil Hogan is a returning member of the College that served as the Agriculture Commissioner under Jean-Claude Juncker. Having previously seen off hardened negotiators from Japan and Mercosur to strike trade agreements of unprecedented magnitude, how will he hold up during his hearing...

  • What are the implications of the European Council nominations for the top EU jobs?

    July 15, 2019

    It’s decision time for the European Parliament. MEPs now have to decide whether to approve Ursula von der Leyen appointment as European Commission President for the next five years. With European elections over, the time has come to choose which figures will be leading the EU throughout the next legislative term. Here at FleishmanHillard we have been looking at the European Council nominations for the EU top jobs, to see which political groups have been satisfied...

  • What is Sustainable Finance and why is it important for the future of Europe?

    June 20, 2019

    Sustainability is about to transform the European agenda in an unprecedented way. The recent results of the European elections highlighted an increasing influence of the Greens in the EU Parliament. This, coupled with public demands for more government action on climate change, will inevitably stimulate more debates on sustainability - a key outcome of this year of change. EU leaders are gathering this week for the European Council summit and climate change will be central...

  • A First Look at the 2019 EU Elections Results

    May 28, 2019

    Last weekend’s European Parliament elections marked the first key milestone in 2019’s Year of Change calendar. They set the stage for further discussions and political developments over the coming months. Following a record high voter turnout, EU citizens elected a broad range of parties to the new EU Parliament, the composition of which will not only shape the future of Europe, but also its relationship with the rest of the world, especially regarding climate change...

  • What will be the upcoming EU priorities for the next Commission mandate?

    May 22, 2019

    The European elections are upon us. Everyone’s attention is on the potential composition of one of the EU’s key institutions - the European Parliament. But here at FleishmanHillard we have also been looking beyond the elections, to see what the top priorities for the EU could be, and which key figures will be guiding them. Watch also: Niamh Griffin's video 'What will be the key trends for the European Elections?' In this video, Stéphanie Brochard and...

  • What will be the key trends for the European Elections?

    May 16, 2019

    This month we will hit one of our key Year of Change milestones – the European Parliamentary elections. The composition of the next European Parliament has no doubt been a question at the forefront of many people’s minds. But with only days to go until European citizens head to the polls, Niamh Griffin can give you some key insight into the trends likely to emerge from the election results. This comes as part of an...