In a late-night Facebook post, Slovak PM Robert Fico announced he will drop his veto on the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, facilitating its approval today, reports 24brussels.
In the capital
Amid a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, a selected group of European interior ministers is convening for closed-door discussions on migration policies. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has organized the meeting, which includes representatives from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark, and Czechia, as well as EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner. This meeting signifies a decisive shift in Berlin’s approach to migration, with the German government signaling a commitment to adopt tougher asylum policies.
An official commented, “It is a new impetus from the German side,” noting that previous administrations had been less inclined to endorse stringent asylum regulations amid contentious negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The timing coincides with Brussels’ efforts to revise its migration guidelines, including initiatives for return regulations and safe country classifications that are intended to reshape asylum procedures throughout the bloc.
The discussions aim to develop a more cohesive EU migration strategy, emphasizing increased surveillance, reinforced border controls, coordinated deportations, and enhanced collaborations with countries of origin and transit.
Magnus Brunner indicated that he would bring “very good news from Brussels,” as the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal significantly boosts funding for migration and security efforts.
While the summit is not expected to be confrontational, there is an underlying shift from Germany after years of hesitance. “Germany has turned a corner in asylum and migration policy,” a source associated with the ruling Christian Democrats stated, asserting a departure from its previous times of reluctance.
Draft proposals signal a stronger EU approach to migration management, including faster deportations, increased financial allocations, and tougher actions against human smugglers. Vít Rakušan, the Czech Interior Minister, underscored the need to streamline bureaucratic processes and reduce standards for applicants from designated safe countries.
With Germany taking a more assertive role, there is optimism that proposed reforms will materialize into practice, although the efficacy of these measures in reducing migration rates remains uncertain.
Fico drops his veto
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has decided to remove his veto on the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, paving the way for its adoption. In a lengthy video, Fico emphasized that maintaining his blockage would be counterproductive and restated his agreement with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen regarding guarantees for Slovakia about gas prices, which include protections against shortages and crisis management mechanisms concerning Russian gas imports.
Earlier in the week, Fico had criticized the sanctions, expressing concerns that they could harm Slovakia’s crucial gas supplies from Russia.
Despite the sanction package moving forward, Fico noted that a “second stage of the fight over Russian gas” would commence immediately after Friday’s vote.
Bardella lashes out at EU Parliament over funding probe
In an internal email obtained by The Capitals, Jordan Bardella, leader of the Patriots for Europe party, criticized what he termed “political harassment” by the European Parliament over alleged misuses of EU funds by Identity and Democracy group members, including the National Rally party led by Le Pen. Bardella claims that the ongoing investigations are attempts to destabilize their political faction.
He stressed that this issue reflects a broader concern regarding the integrity of political bodies within the EU, asserting that such probes should not be exploited for partisan purposes.
Bardella further announced the establishment of a legal task force dedicated to ensuring the group’s legal autonomy in the wake of these investigations.
Judicial double take
Dolors Montserrat, a prominent figure in the European People’s Party (EPP), has voiced concerns regarding perceived biases in the EU’s approach to rule-of-law issues, particularly in Spain. In light of ongoing controversies surrounding Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez, Montserrat argued that the lack of scrutiny into similar cases in Spain compared to those in Hungary raises questions about fairness within the EU’s oversight.
Sánchez has recently denied resignation calls amid allegations of corruption involving key officials in his administration and has initiated a new anti-corruption strategy to address these concerns.
Regional rebellion
The president of the European Committee of the Regions criticized the EU’s budget proposal, accusing President Ursula von der Leyen of aiming for excessive centralization over cohesion funds. Kata Tüttő asserted the importance of preserving local autonomy in the management of these funds, arguing that local leaders should be involved in the policy design rather than merely as implementers.
Tüttő indicated that greater transparency is necessary in the budgetary process to avoid disconnect between local and EU-level decision-making.
Around the bloc
BERLIN | German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed his opposition to the European Commission’s proposed €2 trillion budget for 2028–2034, emphasizing the need for fiscal restraint and rejecting plans for a joint EU corporate tax.
PARIS | France has all but completed its military withdrawal from Senegal, reflecting a broader trend of reducing military presence in Africa amid a rise in anti-French sentiment, with nations seeking new international partnerships.
ROME | The controversial Strait of Messina bridge has been deemed ineligible for EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funds, although it remains part of Italy’s TEN-T network and could be financed through national resources.
MADRID | Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez is advocating for the recognition of Catalan, Galician, and Basque as official EU languages amid rising coalition pressures as he seeks to secure support from separatist allies.
PRAGUE | The Czech President Petr Pavel has enacted legislation criminalizing the promotion of communism, leading to backlash from the Communist Party, which perceives this as a targeted political attack.
BRATISLAVA | The European Commission is taking legal action against Slovakia for its failure to ensure the right to legal representation for suspects prior to questioning, which constitutes a violation of EU fair trial protections.
