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The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by EURACTIV.

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

European far-right political forces have reached a record high just a few months before the EU elections, according to a new poll by Europe Elects seen by Euractiv before its publication later on Thursday.

If EU elections were to be held today, anti-EU far-right political parties, which have united under the umbrella of the “Identity and Democracy” (ID) group in the EU Parliament, would win 87 out of 705 seats ( they currently hold 60 seats). Read more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

Pharma boss: EU’s open strategic autonomy needs a European health security act. A comprehensive strategy to build a European health security framework with a broad perspective for action should be at the heart of any efforts regarding EU’s Open Strategic Autonomy from the view of health, Olivier Charmeil, executive vice president of General Medicines of Sanofi told Euractiv in an interview. Read more.

After COVID travel chaos, EU Commission aims to boost passenger rights. The European Commission tabled an update to passenger rights rules on Wednesday in a bid to prevent a repeat of the confusion and frustration experienced by passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic travel disruption. Read more.

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BERLIN

Germany’s skilled labour shortage puts vital industries at risk. A dire talent shortage is threatening the success of vital industries in Germany, according to an annual report from the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), a business association. Read more.

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PARIS

‘Pfizergate’ affair lead EU lawmaker Michèle Rivasi dies aged 70. Michèle Rivasi, the Green MEP who pushed for the SMS exchanges between the European Commission President and Pfizer CEO to be made public, died on Wednesday at the age of 70 of a heart attack while on her way to the European Parliament in Brussels. Read more.

OECD warns France’s deficit projections are too optimistic. The French government’s deficit reduction projections are not realistic, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found in a report published on Wednesday, stating France ought to “step up the pace of fiscal consolidation”. Read more.

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VIENNA

Signa property holding group files for bankruptcy. The business empire of Austrian mogul René Benko is bankrupt and filing for bankruptcy, the group announced on Wednesday, adding that operations would continue for the time being. Read more.

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NORDICS AND BALTICS

COPENHAGEN

Denmark’s patrol ships fail to meet NATO’s minimum requirements. According to former senior officers, Denmark’s promised patrol ship contribution to NATO’s common defence does not meet the Alliance’s minimum requirements despite repeated assurances to Danish politicians that the ships would fulfil this promise. Read more. 

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EUROPE’S SOUTH

ROME

Rome contraversially loses to Riyadh in vote for next Expo 2030 location. The Bureau International des Expositions voted for the Expo 2030 to be held in Riyadh, beating Italy and Busan, with some alledging corruption may have influenced the outcome. Read more.

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MADRID

First moderated meeting between Puigdemont, PSOE in Geneva this week. The first meeting between representatives of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont and an ‘international verifier’ who will monitor that the agreements between both parties are respected will take place on Saturday in Geneva, sources from both sides told Euractiv’s partner EFE. Read more.

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LISBON

Portuguese parliament approves 2024 state budget. The government’s draft bill for the 2024 state budget (OE2024) was approved in a final global vote in parliament on Wednesday, with the Socialist Party voting in favour and the Livre and PAN MPs abstaining. Read more.

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EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

PiS party’s investigation into Russian interference may be used against them. The commission established by the ruling PiS party to investigate Russian links to former Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government may be used against PiS once Tusk returns to power, Polish media reported on Wednesday. Read more.

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PRAGUE

Human Rights Watch criticises Czech stance on Israel-Gaza conflict. Human Rights Watch European Media and Editorial Director Andrew Stroehlein voiced criticism of some European states, particularly the Czech Republic, for what he perceives as a failure to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza during an interview on Wednesday. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia to extend ban on Ukrainian agricultural commodities. Bratislava will further extend and tighten the rules for the commodities’ transit and has also ban the import of Ukrainian honey, sugar, malt and soybeans, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister and Smer party member Richard Takáč said on Wednesday. Read more.

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NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria joins the European Air Shield initiative with 11 other countries. A draft memorandum for the joint purchase of ground-based air defence systems within the framework of the ‘European Sky Shield’ initiative was approved by the Bulgarian government on Wednesday, making it the 12th European nation to do so. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania bans newly approved EU products, like insects, from traditional recipes. On Wednesday, a ban on the use of newly authorised EU foods in the preparation of traditional Romanian products was approved by the Chamber of Deputies. Read more.

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LJUBLJANA 

Slovenia received advanced payment from the EU Solidarity Fund following the August floods. An advance payment of €100 million from the EU Solidarity Fund for Slovenia’s reconstruction efforts after the August floods was approved by the EU Commission on Wednesday. Read more.

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BELGRADE 

Serbia must ensure equal protection between female entrepreneurs and employees. Serbia must urgently adopt regulations to ensure equal protection and benefits for female entrepreneurs, especially freelancers, to employed women, Sofija Popara, a member of the Board of Directors of the Digital Community, told Euractiv Serbia. Read more.

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AGENDA:

• EU: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council convenes to discuss medicines shortages & the EU’s pharmaceutical strategy, oncrete measures to prevent and treat mental health issues;
• General Affairs Council expected to approve conclusions on the future of cohesion policy, discuss European strategic autonomy;
• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers opening speech at Clean Transition Dialogue with energy-intensive industries;
• Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič together with Greenland Minister Naaja Nathanielsen sign memorandum of understanding for strategic partnership to develop sustainable raw materials value chains;
• Vice President Vĕra Jourová hosts Chair of the Board of the Confederation of Laboratories for AI Research in Europe (CLAIRE) and Vice President of the European AI Association Holger H. Hoos;
• Vice President Margaritis Schinas meets with Australia Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, Minister for immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural affairs Andres Giles, in Canberra;
• Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski participates in second EU-Türkiye high level dialogue on agriculture;
• Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Iliana Ivanova participates in European Education Summit;
• International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen gives speech at 8th edition of “Cities and Regions for International Partnerships” forum;
• Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli makes online keynote speech for European Day of Persons with Disabilities; Joins Annual Diversity Awards, as part of the Spanish Presidency events, in Madrid, Spain;
• Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius gives opening speech at Business Segment of Ukraine Green Recovery Conference;
• Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton hosts Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine; Delivers keynote speech at “Chips Act / Chips Joint Undertaking” launch event;
• Parliament President Roberta Metsola hosts Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Croo;
• ECB president Lagarde takes part in conference on banking supervision in Frankfurt, Germany;
• Austria: OPEC+ ministers meet to assess oil output;
• North Macedonia: 30th OSCE Ministerial Council;
• United Arab Emirates: International Climate Conference COP28;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]

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