Democracy will be 'tested' in 2024, Belgian leader says
This morning, the Belgian Prime Minister told the European Parliament: alexander de croosaid freedom will be tested this year.
Nodding to the possibility of a return, donald trump The Belgian leader told the White House that Europe should not fear a scenario in which the United States leaves it alone.
The Prime Minister, whose country has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, told MPs:
2024 will be an important year. Much is at stake for Europe, and much is at stake for the West.
This is a year that will test our democracy and freedom. Not just this House election, but the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. presidential election as well.
If “America First” becomes a reality again in 2024, Europe will be more independent than ever. As Europeans, we should not fear that possibility, but embrace it.
We need to embrace that by putting Europe on stronger footing. Stronger, more sovereign, more independent. Europe is making a difference and making a difference in people's lives. We will protect them, strengthen our economies and prepare for a common future for Europe.
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According to the draft, dated today and seen by the Guardian, the parliament “instructs its committee on legal affairs to take the necessary steps as soon as possible, in relation to the commission’s decision leading to the unfreezing of €10.2bn, including the legal service analysis in accordance with rule 149, with a view to review the legality of the decision C(2023) 9014 before the court of justice”.
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The draft also “recalls the possibility for the European parliament to use any legal and political measures at its disposal, if the commission releases funding without criteria being fulfilled or if it fails to ensure the full implementation of the relevant legislation, considering its responsibility to act as Guardian of the treaty and to protect the EU financial interests; reminds that the commission is politically accountable to the parliament.”
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The draft was negotiated by the European People’s party group, the Socialists and Democrats group, Renew Europe, the Greens and the Left group.
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Speaking at the European parliament this morning, Belgium’s prime minister, Alexander De Croo, said liberties would be tested this year.
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In a nod to the possibility of a return of Donald Trump to the White House, the Belgian leader said Europe should not fear a scenario where the US leaves it on its own.
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The prime minister, whose country has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, told MEPs:
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\n
2024 will be a crucial year. A lot is at stake for Europe, a lot is at stake for the west.
\n
A year where our democracies and our liberties will be put to the test. Not only with the election for this house, but equally so for US Congress, equally so with an election for the American presidency.
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If 2024 brings us “America First” again, it will be more than ever Europe on its own. We should as Europeans not fear that prospect – we should embrace it.
\n
We should embrace it by putting Europe on a more solid footing. Stronger, more sovereign, more self-reliant. A Europe that delivers and makes a difference in people’s lives. Protecting them, strengthening the economy, preparing a common European future.
\n
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,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”03.40 EST”,”blockLastUpdated”:1705394819000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”03.46 EST”,”blockFirstPublished”:1705394418000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”03.40 EST”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”: “03.40”,”title “:”Democracy will be 'tested' in 2024, Belgian leader says”,”Contributor”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Tuesday 16 January 2024 06.24 EST”,”SecondaryDateLine”:”First published Tuesday 16 January 2024 03.40 EST”},{“id”:”65a63a198f0867bef96c784f”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Good morning and welcome back to the Europe blog.
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Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
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important events
Matteo SalviniThe Italian vice prime minister also congratulated him. donald trump.
Congratulations @realDonaldTrump Iowa wins the caucuses by a landslide! 🇺🇸👏
— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) January 16, 2024
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European Parliament to consider legal challenge to Hungary's decision to unfreeze EU funds
The European Parliament's main political groups have agreed on a compromise resolution paving the way for a possible legal challenge targeting the European Commission's decision to unfreeze around 10 billion euros allocated to Hungary. .
According to today's draft document, seen by the Guardian, Parliament “invites the Legal Affairs Committee to take the necessary steps as soon as possible in relation to the Commission's decision leading to the unfreezing of €10.2 billion, including the statutory budget. “I am giving instructions,” he said. Conducting a service analysis in accordance with Rule 149 for the purpose of considering the legality of Decision C(2023) 9014 in the Court of Justice. ”
The draft also states that “if the Commission starts funding without meeting the criteria or fails to ensure the full implementation of the relevant legislation, the European Parliament will take into account its liability for action and and the possibility of freely using political measures to protect the EU's economic interests as the guardian of the Treaty. We remind you that the Committee has a political responsibility to Parliament. ”
The draft was negotiated by the European People's Party Group, the Socialist and Democratic Party Group, Renew Europe, the Green Party and the Left Group.
Thanasis BakolasThe secretary-general of the center-right European People's Party criticized the European Council president: Charles Michelover his decision to stand in the European Parliament elections.
The move is expected to result in Michel leaving his post early and Hungary taking over the rotating council presidency.
We rightly expect our top leaders to demonstrate unwavering loyalty, absolute commitment and dedication to the European cause.
We hope that they, like Charles Michel, will abandon their duties for personal gain and risk handing over control of the EU Council to illiberal political actors like Prime Minister Orbán. I have not.
“Regenerating Europe” and the liberal camp must face their own responsibilities.
We rightly expect our top leaders to demonstrate unwavering loyalty, absolute commitment and dedication to the European cause. We never expect them to abandon their duties for personal gain. @CharlesMichel is at risk of taking over the governance of @EUCouncil To…
— Thanasis Bakolas (@ThanasisBakolas) January 16, 2024
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We rightly expect our top leaders to demonstrate unwavering loyalty, absolute commitment and dedication to the European cause. We never expect them to abandon their duties for personal gain. @CharlesMichel is at risk of taking over the governance of @EUCouncil To…
— Thanasis Bakolas (@ThanasisBakolas) January 16, 2024
Hungarian viktor orban celebrating donald trumpHe won the Iowa caucuses.
A long-awaited victory! 👏https://t.co/L9lP5Aoyuc
— Viktor Orban (@PM_ViktorOrban) January 16, 2024
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De Croo says support for Ukraine is 'existential'
In his speech this morning, Belgium's alexander de croo He said Europe must continue to support Kiev.
We achieved unity and unity in the face of Russia's war of aggression against innocent Ukraine. It is a unity that we absolutely must maintain with Ukrainian facilities and continued military support.
For the United States and other allies, aid to Ukraine is a strategic issue and a geopolitical consideration.
For us Europeans, supporting Ukraine is an existential matter. It is at the heart of our security and prosperity.
welcome to the blog
good morning. Welcome to the European blog.
Send tips and comments to lili.bayer@theguardian.com.
Democracy will be 'tested' in 2024, Belgian leader says
This morning, the Belgian Prime Minister told the European Parliament: alexander de croosaid freedom will be tested this year.
Nodding to the possibility of a return, donald trump The Belgian leader told the White House that Europe should not fear a scenario in which the United States leaves it alone.
The Prime Minister, whose country has taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, told MPs:
2024 will be an important year. Much is at stake for Europe, and much is at stake for the West.
This is a year that will test our democracy and freedom. Not just this House election, but the U.S. Congress, and the U.S. presidential election as well.
If “America First” becomes a reality again in 2024, Europe will be more independent than ever. As Europeans, we should not fear that possibility, but embrace it.
We need to embrace that by putting Europe on stronger footing. Stronger, more sovereign, more independent. Europe is making a difference and making a difference in people's lives. We will protect them, strengthen our economies and prepare for a common future for Europe.
