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This weekend, MEPs observed Georgia’s parliamentary elections, where pro-Western opposition groups disputed the results after officials said the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party had won with 54 percent of the vote. “We continue to express deep concerns about the democratic backsliding in Georgia. The conduct of yesterday’s election is, unfortunately, evidence to that effect,” said Spanish centre-right MEP Antonio López-Istúriz White, head of the parliament delegation, referring to “the climate of hatred and intimidation” on Saturday's election.
Today, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyenis is speaking at the College of Europe to kick off the new academic year. Expect her to address the EU’s new priorities and focus on competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the EU is preparing to impose tariffs on electric vehicles built in China for the next five years — amidst fears over a potential trade war voiced by some EU member states. For more background, check out Benjamin Fox's analysis and this feature about how Chinese firms are increasingly turning to Africa.
Don’t miss today’s oped on the negative impact of revolving doors in EU competition policy. Corporate Europe Observatory revisits how a few weeks ago, yet another EU competition official joined a law firm to work for clients facing antitrust investigations.
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Chart of the day
Most packaging waste remains unrecycled as EU face's plastic crisis
With over 50 percent of Europe's plastic packaging waste still not being recycled, institutions are taking measures to address the ecological disaster around plastic management.
What else you need to know
New Czech commissioner holds the key to the EU's Global Gateway
Having helped lead the EU’s response to the dramatic surge in energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, former Czech trade and industry minister Jozef Síkela might have expected to land the energy file as Prague’s next EU commissioner. Read on »
After years of delays, Libya's EU-funded rescue centre set to become operational
Libya's EU-funded search and rescue centre is soon set to become fully operational following years of delays, marking another step towards the externalisation of migration.Read on »
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Most packaging waste remains unrecycled as EU face's plastic crisisInfographic
With over 50 percent of Europe's plastic packaging waste still not being recycled, institutions are taking measures to address the ecological disaster around plastic management.Read on »
20 years of Frontex: Human rights abuses getting worseOpinion
Frontex’s 20th anniversary is not a cause for celebration, write David Yambio and Josephine Solanki: Despite calls for accountability, the EU border agency remains heavily criticised for covering up rights violations.Read on »
In case you missed it
Smiling Kallas takes aim at Russia and China, ahead of EU hearing
Hard on Russia and China, but soft on Israel and more focused on Brussels than on shuttle diplomacy, former Estonian PM Kaja Kallas prepares to become the EU's new top diplomat. Read on »
EU parliament voting data reveals Ukraine's MEP foesEUobserved
The European Parliament approved a €35bn financial assistance package for Ukraine, though voting data reveals MEPs sympathetic to Russia.Read on »
MEP set to battle national capitals over €1.8bn EU spending cuts
MEPs are preparing to reinstate plans for around €1.8bn in spending on some of the EU’s flagship projects on Wednesday (23 October) — setting the scene for a stand-off with national treasuries on next year’s EU budget. Read on »
Post-election killings and poll rigging put EU's Mozambique mission in question
The EU is facing a growing political storm in Mozambique which could derail its own defence and security mission in the South-East Africa state, in the wake of the slaying of leading opposition officials.Read on »
US election: what to expect from Trump's tariffs — or Harris' Big Tech backdownOpinion
From Donald Trump's promised crippling import tariffs, to Kamala Harris's possible backdown on regulating US Big Tech, what can Europe realistically expect from the next administration on the topics that will matter most, like trade and economic policy?Read on »
Croatian commissioner's domestic trips under fire, ahead of new Mediterranean postEUobserved
Croatian commissioner Dubravka Šuica made numerous trips over the past five years to Zagreb and her hometown of Dubrovnik to participate in events — now the frequency and nature of these ‘official missions’ have drawn criticism, ahead of her new post as inaugural commissioner for the Mediterranean.Read on »
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