Poland’s Tusk opposes EU treaty changes

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In today’s news from the Capitals:

WARSAW

Polish opposition leader and election winner Donald Tusk of the Civic Platform (PO, EPP) left no room for speculation when he openly stated that his party, which is likely to return to power in Poland after eight years in opposition, is opposed to changing the EU treaties, as is Poland’s conservative ruling camp. Read more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

Michel tries to reassure Ukraine, Moldova as unease grows ahead of key EU summit. Ukraine’s and Moldova’s hopes for an opening of EU accession talks took centre stage in Kyiv on Tuesday as visiting European Council President Charles Michel sought to reassure them that their accession process remained a priority for the bloc. Read more.

EU says no Palestinian aid going to Hamas, programmes to continue. No European Union development funds earmarked for Palestine have found their way to Hamas, the European Commission said on Tuesday (21 November), but they called for stricter controls going forward. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Euroscepticism looms over future Dutch government. The latest electoral polls suggest a close tie between the possible right-wing and centre coalitions, both of which are likely to have a harsher stance on the EU than the previous executive due to newcomer centre-right NSC (EPP) and the skyrocketing far-right PVV (ID). Read more.

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BERLIN

Experts warn against investment cuts after German top court ruling. As Germany scrambles to find €60 billion after the constitutional court ruled that transferring unused COVID-related debt to a climate fund was against the constitution, economists warned that spending cuts could cost the country economic growth in the coming years following a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday. Read more.

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PARIS

French PM kicks off European election campaign in Strasbourg. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne kicked off the European election campaign in Strasbourg on Tuesday ahead of a tour of the EU Parliament, where she will meet with her ‘European family’ Renew and has plans to speak with Renew group Chairman Stéphane Séjourné. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

STOCKHOLM

Sweden to tighten residence permits’ ‘honest way of life’ requirement. Sweden is looking into tightening the requirements for an “honest way of life” for those who want to stay in the country, as the centre-right coalition and its far-right ally in parliament, the Sweden Democrats, announced plans to open an inquiry into the matter on Tuesday. Read more. 

Parents in Sweden confused over children’s vaccination against COVID. Although COVID-19 vaccination of healthy children is not recommended by experts, the Swedish government confused parents after a minister said there were no legal barriers to vaccinating children, earning criticism from local authorities and doctors. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spanish judge wants Puigdemont investigated for terrorism. Spanish judge Manuel García Castellón on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to investigate former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, leader of the separatist party Together for Catalonia (JxCat), in connection to the Barcelona airport blockade in 2017. Read more. 

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ROME

Tajani: Italy-Albania migration deal not comparable to UK-Rwanda one. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani talked to MPs about the controversial agreement between Italy and Albania on managing irregular migrants in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, saying it’s not comparable to the one signed recently between the UK and Rwanda. Read more.

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LISBON

Portugal urged to reduce energy support measures. Portugal must reduce energy support measures as soon as possible this year and next, according to a European Commission report published on Tuesday, highlighting Portugal’s limited progress in implementing the Commission’s budgetary recommendation. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

WARSAW

A child in Poland has to wait 238 days to see a psychiatrist, activist says. Poland’s mental healthcare sector has improved in recent years, but there are still significant challenges to be overcome, with one activist highlighting a Polish child faces a waiting list of 238 days to see a psychiatrist. Read more.

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PRAGUE

Czechia wants to ban Schengen travel for Russian diplomats. The Czech Republic is proposing to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen Area, announced Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates/Greens/EFA) on Tuesday. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Slovakia revokes gender reassignment guidelines. Slovakia’s Health Ministry revoked a document that gave guidance on how to carry out gender reassignment procedures, stoking fears that health professionals may return to past practices of forced castration and sterilisation. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria will not join Schengen before Austria’s 2024 elections, says MEP. Bulgaria will not be admitted to Schengen before Austria’s 2024 parliamentary elections, Bulgarian EPP MEP Andrey Kovatchev told journalists in Strasbourg on Tuesday, adding that Austria had no problem with Bulgaria’s accession until a speech by their interior minister changed the situation last November. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

EU Commission approves new version of Romania’s recovery plan. The European Commission on Tuesday approved Romania’s revised Recovery and Resilience Plan, which places greater emphasis on the green transition and reduces funding for certain hospital construction projects. Read more.

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BELGRADE

Vučić, Stoltenberg discuss Serbia’s collaboration with NATO, tension in Kosovo. Recent tensions in northern Kosovo, the Kosovo Force’s (KFOR) efforts to maintain peace and stability, and Serbia’s collaboration with NATO were among the topics discussed between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Belgrade. Read more.

AGENDA:

• EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participates in virtual G20 Leader’s Summit;
• Commission Vice President Dubravka Šuica participates in Parliament’s plenary debate on “Revised pollinators initiative – a new deal for pollinators”;
• Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi hosts UN Under Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva;
• International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen holds videoconference with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk;
• Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in trilogues on New Screening Regulation/ECRIS, Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation, Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR);
• Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with Minister for European Affairs of Finland Anders Adlercreutz; Hosts Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Nikolay Denkov;
• Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz meets with Italy’s PM Giogia Meloni;
• Czech Republic: Summit of Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak presidents;
• Belarus: Foreign, Defence Ministers, heads of security councils of CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) states meet ahead of organisation’s summit;
• UN: Security Council meets on Gaza;

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

Read more with Euractiv

EU Commission approves new version of Romania’s recovery plan

The European Commission on Tuesday approved Romania’s revised Recovery and Resilience Plan, which places greater emphasis on the green transition and reduces funding for certain hospital construction projects.