Olaf Scholz fuels anti-EU resentments, EPP vice-chair says

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. 

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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: 

PRAGUE | WARSAW

By introducing border checks, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s (SPD, S&D) government was led by hypocrisy and dragged the EU back to times when it was divided, Andrzej Halicki, Polish ruling PO party MEP and centre-right EPP group vice-chairman said. Read more.

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BERLIN

Germany to ask Georgia to withdraw ‘foreign agent law’ to resume EU accession. German government parties are expected to push Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday (10 October) to freeze Georgia’s EU accession unless the Georgian Dream ruling party withdraws several pieces of repressive legislation. Read more.

Germany braces for recession in 2024. Germany is set to slip further into recession this year, with German Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) announcing a slash to the government’s previous 2024 forecast and now expecting GDP to contract by 0.2% GDP this year. Read more.

EU future on the agenda as Germany’s Scholz meets Council President Costa. The European Council’s president-elect, Antonio Costa, will present his priorities for the mandate to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Thursday amid hopes that Costa will be an ally in protecting the Social Democrats’ EU agenda. Read more.

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PARIS

Berlin, Brussels ready to scrutinise Barnier’s draft budget plan. Germany and the European Commission expect strong and impactful measures to reduce France's public deficit as French Prime Minister Michel Barnier prepares to unveil his draft budget on Thursday. Read more.

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NORDICS & BALTICS 

STOCKHOLM | OSLO | HELSINKI

Budget cuts threaten Sámi minority languages. Efforts to develop the Sámi language are threatened by budget cuts by the Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish governments, according to the minority’s parliaments in all three Nordic countries. Read more. 

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EUROPE’S SOUTH

MADRID

Spain’s Sánchez to ask early implementation of EU pact on migration. Spain will ask the European Commission to bring forward the entry into force of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum a year earlier than planned, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Wednesday. Read more.

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ROME

Italy’s seven-year budget plan approved amid criticism. The government's medium-term structural budget plan, which aims to manage debt and build fiscal credibility, was approved by lawmakers on Wednesday despite opposition criticism of over-optimistic growth forecasts and vague financing details. Read more.

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LISBON 

Portuguese EU Commissioner's pick comes clean regarding business interests. European commissioner-designate for Portugal, Maria Luís Albuquerque, has clarified her work for fund manager Horizon and her company ownership with her husband in her declaration of interests after being questioned by MEPs. Read more.

Portuguese MPs condemn Israel’s treatment of UN’s Guterres. The Portuguese parliament on Wednesday condemned the Israeli government for declaring UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, a fellow Portuguese, 'persona non grata'. Read more.

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   NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgarian president warns of election fraud ahead of upcoming vote. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev warned police and prosecutors of widespread electoral fraud, pointing to problems in the investigations into vote-buying schemes ahead of the parliamentary elections due on 27 October. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

Romania adds eggs and poultry meat to Ukraine import licence list. Romania has extended the list of imports from Ukraine that require a licence to enter the country, according to a government decision on Wednesday, following complaints from Romanian farmers about the dumping prices of Ukrainian products. Read more.

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AGENDA:

• EU: Justice and Home Affairs Council expected to debate fighting child sexual abuse, Schengen, asylum and migration, and more;
• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with President of Moldova Maia Sandu, in Chisinău;
• Justice Commissioner Didier Reyn participates via videoconference in Bitkom Privacy Conference 2024; Discusses the Rule of Law report 2024 with members of the parliament;
• Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira participates as keynote speaker in the European Committee for Cohesion Alliance of Regions;
• Commission Vice-President Vĕra Jourová meets with UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Flemming, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Dace Melbārde; Speaks at #Disinfo2024 conference;

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