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In today’s news from The Capitals:
PARIS
The French defence industry is beginning to gear up more than three years after the outbreak of war in Ukraine and as the European Union seeks to build its strategic autonomy. Read more.
WESTERN EUROPE
THE HAGUE
Dutch health minister backs Critical Medicines Act, says full implications being assessed. Dutch Health Minister Fleur Agema (PVV) is preparing a detailed analysis of the potential of the Critical Medicines Act (CMA). A spokesperson for Agema told Euractiv that the minister welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation to improve the availability of critical medicines in the EU. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany takes on retailers for unfair trading practices for the first time. The German Agriculture Ministry took measures in two unfair trade practices cases in 2024, according to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food’s annual report on the food supply chain. Read more.
NORDICS & BALTICS
COPENHAGEN
Paragon scandal: Denmark and Cyprus potential spyware customers alongside Italy. Paragon Solutions, the Israeli company behind Graphite spyware, appears to be active in more EU countries than it has been previously known, according to a new report published today. Read more.
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REYKJAVIK | OSLO
After 22 years, EU’s Nordic neighbours are ready to break spat over GMOs rules. Norway and Iceland are moving closer to ending a 22-year delay in adopting EU rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the longest hold-up for any of Brussels legislation in the Nordic countries. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
Meloni sparks uproar over Ventotene Manifesto. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday that the Manifesto of Ventotene, a political statement for a federal Europe written in 1941, did not represent her vision of Europe, a statement that sparked protests from opposition parties and briefly interrupted a Lower House debate ahead of this week’s European Council meeting.
“I don’t know if this is your Europe, but it is certainly not mine,” Meloni said, quoting excerpts from the 1941 manifesto written by Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi, which was circulated within the Italian Resistance during fascism. The remarks were later shared on social media.
Opposition parties unanimously condemned Meloni’s words, calling them “shameful” and an “insult to democracy.” They accused her of portraying the Manifesto of Ventotene -widely considered the foundation of a federalist Europe opposed to the nationalist ideologies that fueled 20th-century conflicts- as a call for proletarian dictatorship.
(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)
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LISBON
Portuguese PM does not rule out sending military to Ukraine but says it is too early to decide. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro recognised on Wednesday the possibility of sending Portuguese military personnel to Ukraine as part of a peace process “with security guarantees,” but stressed that it was too early to make this decision.
“We’re not yet at the point where we can define it and make a concrete decision. It’s too early to be taking a decision today on whether or not we’re going to have soldiers from our armed forces in a hypothetical theatre of operations in Ukraine,” Luís Montenegro told the Socialist Party (PS) in parliament during the preparatory debate for the upcoming European Council meeting on Thursday and Friday in Brussels.
The prime minister said that if there is “a peace process, with guarantees of security, it won’t be the first or the last time” that Portuguese armed forces will contribute in this area.
(Joana Felizes | Lusa.pt)
EASTERN EUROPE
PRAGUE
Czech PM to raise EU defence industry concerns at EU summit. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala will present concerns over EU regulations hindering arms production at tomorrow’s European Council summit, as Prague pushes for an easing of restrictions on the defence industry.
The list of discord. The Czech government has compiled a list of problematic EU laws in cooperation with defence industry representatives that includes environmental rules, export transit licenses, and financing restrictions, which industry leaders say are blocking investment and expansion.
Among the most pressing issues is the REACH regulation, which strictly controls the use of chemical substances in industrial processes. The defence industry warns that proposed extensions to REACH, including the potential ban on silicones, could cripple production. Another major concern is the EU’s environmental and sustainability policies, particularly the ESG regulations, which classify much of the defence sector or its suppliers as environmentally unsustainable.
More regulation? Beyond financial barriers, regulatory hurdles also affect defence exports and procurement. Officials argue that lengthy tender processes and procurement restrictions are impractical in times of crisis, and that shorter supply chains between armed forces and equipment manufacturers are essential for rapid response and military readiness. Export controls and transit licences for military materials further complicate the situation, Czech stakeholders argue.
(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)
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WARSAW
Far-right candidate gains momentum in Polish presidential race. Sławomir Mentzen, the presidential candidate of the far-right Confederation (ESN/PfE), is emerging as the main challenger in the Polish presidential election, posing a serious threat to PiS (ECR) candidate Karol Nawrocki and increasingly likely to advance to the second round in May.
Trzaskowski still leading polls: While Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, representing PM Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform (PO, EPP), maintains a strong lead in the polls, it remains uncertain whom he will face in the runoff. In the past four elections (2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020), the second round consistently featured a contest between PO and PiS candidates. However, growing indications suggest that this time, Mentzen could replace Nawrocki as Trzaskowski’s challenger.
Some polls still show Nawrocki with a comfortable lead over Mentzen, who currently ranks third. However, an increasing number of surveys suggest the gap is narrowing. For instance, a poll by Opinia24 for private radio broadcaster RMF FM, published on Monday (17 March), shows Nawrocki at 19.5%—barely 1 percentage point ahead of Mentzen, who stands at 18.9%.
Even former Prime Minister Beata Szydło (PiS, ECR) acknowledged the strength of Mentzen’s campaign. “Indeed, the crowds of young people at his rallies are impressive,” said the PiS MEP, while still expressing confidence in Nawrocki’s chances of reaching the runoff.
(Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | Euractiv.pl)
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BRATISLAVA
Critical Slovak MP becomes minister. Samuel Migaľ, a member of the group of rebel MPs who until recently threatened the stability Fico’s governing coalition, is set to become Slovakia’s new minister of investment, regional development and informatisation.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Fico announced an agreement with the group of rebel MPs that will secure him a majority of 79 votes in the 150-member parliament.
Securing a coalition. With the transfer of two rebel MPs to the executive, their parliamentary seats will be filled by replacement MPs, both of whom are believed to be loyal supporters of junior coalition partner Hlas-SD and the government.
Slovakia is struggling with the speed and efficiency with which it uses EU funds, which is an agenda the ministry oversees.
Meanwhile, outgoing minister Richard Raši is set to become Speaker of the National Council, pending a parliamentary vote.
(Zuzana Gabrižová | Euractiv.sk)
Slovakia to end renewable subsidies by 2026. Slovakia will end subsidies for renewable energy by 2026, with the head of the country’s energy regulator warning against “speculators,” “business lobbying organisations,” and the push for “green ideology.” Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Borisov predicts that the government in Sofia will survive only until July. The leader of Bulgaria’s largest party GERB (EPP), Boyko Borisov, predicts that the government in Sofia may only survive until July due to the very fragile majority of the ruling coalition.
A week ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that the populist Velichie (Greatness) party is entitled to 10 deputies, of which it was deprived due to electoral violations. This court decision reduced the majority around GERB from 126 to the minimum of 121 deputies in the 240-seat parliament.
Eurozone decision is key: Borisov announced that GERB had formed a government in order for Bulgaria to join the eurozone and accused the court of „doing everything to trip up the country”. He announced that the government should make an effort to survive at least until July, when a political decision must be made in Brussels on Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone from 1 January 2026.
“The convergence report on the euro for Bulgaria should be published in June. In July, the European Council should make a political decision for Bulgaria to enter the eurozone. Then the key vote will be held, and after July, let’s see,” Borisov said. Earlier, the GERB leader predicted that the government would survive at least until January 2026. Bulgaria has been in a severe political crisis for four years, and the current government was elected in January 2025.
(Krassen Nikolov | Euractiv.bg)
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BELGRADE
Serbia’s government officially resigns. Serbia’s parliament has voted to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, ending his 11-month tenure amid a spiralling political crisis.
Vučević announced his resignation in January after a deadly Novi Sad train station collapse killed 15 people in November 2024, sparking protests that peaked with hundreds of thousands rallying in Belgrade over the weekend.
The vote triggers a 30-day deadline – until 18 April – for President Aleksandar Vučić’s SNS to form a new government or face snap elections, a possibility Vučić hinted at in January.
Vučić has said on several occasions that the interim government demanded by the opposition is unacceptable and mentioned that new parliamentary elections could be held in June.
Vučević remains caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed.
(Charles Szumski | Euractiv)
AGENDA:
- EU: European Council convenes to discuss developments in Ukraine, next steps in defence, migration and more;
- Euro Summit expected to focus on competitiveness, progress on digital euro, and more;
- Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen receives Dutch Minister for Digitalisation Zsolt Szabó; Meets with EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Director Sirpa Rautio; Delivers keynote speech at Nordic Financial Ecosystem Forum;
- Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen hosts European Mortgage Federation – European Covered Bond Council (EMF – ECBC) representatives; Meets with European Round Table for Industry (ERT);
- Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Šefčovič receives European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) delegation;
- Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib holds meetings with EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Sven Koopmans, EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa Annette Weber;
- Sustainable Transport and Tourism Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas delivers opening speech in European Shipping Summit;
- Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque meets with European Third-Party Providers Association (ETPPA) Chair Ralf Ohlhausen; Meets with European Market Services of Nasdaq President Roland Chai;
- Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Commissioner Jessika Roswall gives keynote address at 6th Value of Water Forum, in Rome, Italy;
- Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Commissioner Piotr Serafin hosts Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajić;
- Parliament’s Committee on Budgets debates impact of the USAID suspension on EU budget;
- Parliament’s Committee on International Trade debates response to US trade policy;
- Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence exchanges views with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmilla Shekerinska.
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(Edited by Vas Panagiotopoulos, Daniel Eck, Sofia Mandilara)
