Latest news with #pro-EU
See - Sada Elbalad
5 hours ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Moldova Approves EU Involvement in Electoral Process
Israa Farhan Moldova's top election official has stated that European Union countries have the right to influence Moldovan elections, as the country pushes forward with its bid to join the bloc. The remarks have stirred controversy ahead of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections in September. Angelica Caraman, head of Moldova's Central Electoral Commission, told local broadcaster Jurnal TV that Moldova is just one step away from EU accession, and therefore, EU member states such as France intervening in its political process should not be seen as foreign interference. Caraman explained that Moldova does not view financial backing from EU countries for political parties as election corruption. She argued that such involvement should be seen as neighborly support and part of democratic development. The statement comes as Moldova prepares for general elections later this year, amid growing political tensions. President Maia Sandu has accused the opposition of collaborating with Russia to destabilize the country. Speaking after a meeting of Moldova's Supreme Security Council, Sandu claimed that Russia is planning to finance protests and carry out a smear campaign against pro-EU politicians, public figures, and journalists. She also alleged that certain members of the Moldovan Orthodox clergy are involved in these efforts. Sandu, who won re-election in a runoff vote last November, holds Romanian citizenship and is a vocal supporter of Moldova's integration into the European Union. Her government has taken a strong stance against pro-Russian elements in recent years. Several opposition parties have been banned, dozens of activists arrested, and over 15 television channels suspended without trial. Additionally, more than 50 media outlets critical of the government have been shut down. Critics argue that such measures raise serious concerns about media freedom, political pluralism, and democratic accountability. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Jeremy Corbyn's new party starts with advantage but could seriously damage Labour
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's new left-wing party got off to a shaky start. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ms Sultana appeared to jump the gun with her announcement that she had quit Labour and would be co-leader of a new party with Mr Corbyn. He would only confirm discussions were taking place. But now it's official and "Your Party" - only its temporary name until members can decide how it will be known - is expected to hold a conference in the autumn. Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana are forming a new left-wing party. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pollsters More in Common have suggested the new party could get as much as 10 per cent of the vote at the next general election, taking around 5 per cent from the Greens, 3 per cent from Labour and 2 per cent from elsewhere. In Scotland, it could well draw some votes from disillusioned SNP voters too. New parties usually face an uphill battle to establish themselves. People might struggle to remember the centrist, pro-EU Change UK, which was launched with great fanfare in 2019. It was founded by seven Labour MPs, including Chuka Umunna, once seen as a rising star, and Luciana Berger, who claimed the party was "institutionally antisemitic". And they were joined a few days later by three Tories, including former minister Anna Soubry. But 10 months later the party was dissolved. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nigel Farage's UK Independence Party (Ukip) and Brexit Party both failed to make any electoral breakthrough before he finally got some MPs elected for his latest party, Reform UK. The new left-wing party, however, starts with a big advantge: Jeremy Corbyn is already very well known by the general public and had a huge following, especially among younger people, when he was Labour leader. Thousands chanted his name when he appeared on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2017. And although the 2019 general election ranked as one of Labour's worst defeats, forcing Mr Corbyn's resignation, the election two years earlier saw the party perform much better than predicted, taking 40 per cent of the vote and removing Theresa May's overall majority. But his new party could seriously damage Labour at the next general election. It may not win many seats, but in today's fragmented political scene, and with Labour's large Commons majority based on a fairly low total vote, it could easily take enough votes from Labour cause the loss of marginal seats. And the danger for the left is that that could pave the way for Reform success.
Euronews
22-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Moldovan oligarch accused of €850m bank fraud detained in Greece
A fugitive oligarch from Moldova accused of a $1 billion (€850 million) bank fraud and other illicit schemes was detained in Greece on Tuesday, Moldova's national police said. Vladimir Plahotniuc fled Moldova in 2019, as he faced a series of corruption charges, including allegations of complicity in a scheme that led to $1 billion disappearing from a Moldovan bank in 2014, which at the time was equivalent to around one-eighth of the country's annual GDP. Plahotniuc has denied any wrongdoing. Moldovan police said in a statement they were informed by Interpol's office in Athens that two Moldovan citizens had been detained, including Plahotniuc, who was placed on Interpol's international wanted list in February. Authorities did not name the other detainee. The Greek police unit tackling organised crime said Interpol was seeking Plahotniuc on suspicion of participating in a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering. Moldova's Ministry of Justice and Prosecutor's Office are in the process of exchanging information to begin seeking extradition of Plahotniuc and the other detainee, a government official told AP. Plahotniuc, one of Moldova's wealthiest men, fled to the US from Moldova in June 2019 after failing to form a government with his Democratic Party. The US declared him persona non grata in 2020, and his whereabouts were unknown for years. The influential businessman and politician was added to a US State Department sanctions list in 2022 for alleged corruption. The charges included controlling the country's law enforcement to target political and business rivals and meddling in Moldova's elections. He was added to a UK sanctions list in 2022 and barred from entering the country. His assets were frozen in Britain and its overseas territories. Plahotniuc was accused of involvement in pro-Russian political campaigns and efforts to derail Moldova's pro-EU course. The news of his arrest is likely to be viewed positively by President Maia Sandu's camp and her Romanian and EU supporters ahead of September's crucial parliamentary elections, in which the Kremlin is already involved through proxies in massive disinformation and voter manipulation campaigns.
Euractiv
15-07-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Romanian government survives no-confidence vote amid coalition austerity rift
Romanian government survives no-confidence vote amid coalition austerity rift BUCHAREST - Romania's government survived its first no-confidence motion on Monday after Parliament rejected a challenge from far-right parties, but the vote exposed growing tensions within the pro-EU ruling coalition. The failed motion was brought to Parliament by far-right parties AUR, POT, and SOS in response to growing public backlash over the government's fiscal consolidation measures unveiled last week. Among other things, the Romanian government plans to raise the standard VAT rate from 19% to 21%, and replace the reduced rates of 5% and 9% with a single rate of 11%, which will affect essential items such as food and medicine. Romania's ruling pro-EU coalition includes the centre-left PSD, centre-right PNL, reformist USR, and the Hungarian minority party UDMR, led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. However, acting PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu sharply criticised the government's approach, warning it risked repeating the 2010–2011 austerity-driven collapse. 'We didn't sign up to turn a budget crisis into a deep economic crisis,' he said in a bid to distance his party from the austerity measures implemented by the government. Grindeanu accused the government of placing the burden on low-income citizens and reiterated the PSD's call for a progressive tax system as a fairer alternative to widespread tax hikes. He argued that a well-designed progressive model would have avoided the need to raise the VAT. Centrist president Nicușor Dan also took aim at the VAT hike, stressing in a press conference that he had promised to keep it at 19% during coalition negotiations. 'I still believe it was the right path,' he said, noting that other budgetary solutions had been available. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan defended the government's fiscal stance, pointing to 'early positive signs' from international markets. He also announced a second package of expenditure cuts to be unveiled by the end of July. (cs)
Euronews
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Von der Leyen wounded: 5 Ways EU confidence vote shook her
In Strasbourg on Thursday 175 MEPs voted in favour of a motion of censure against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her Commission, 360 against, while 18 abstained. Here are five takeaways from the political groups' behaviour during the vote which spell trouble for von der Leyen and her team as she manoeuvres the rest of her second mandate as President of the EU executive. Less support for the Commission The 360 MEPs who voted against the motion of censure — and therefore defended the European Commission — are fewer than the 370 who approved the Commission back in November 2024. Although 18 MEPs abstained, 166 MEPs didn't bother to vote at all, some perhaps weren't even in Strasbourg. Beyond the Left's lawmakers, who had announced they would not show up, several MEPs from the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Renew Europe, and the Greens/EFA also chose not to take part in the vote. In many cases, this was a way of expressing their discontent with von der Leyen's Commission without supporting a motion coming from the far right, and despite their group's official line to vote against. "I don't support far-right motions. At the same time, I don't trust this Commission, which has systematically betrayed the mandate it received a year ago. I see it every day [...] on migration policies, the situation in Palestine, rearmament, climate, and social policies," said Italian MEP Cecilia Strada after the vote — one of the lawmakers who didn't cast her ballot. Of 136 Socialist MEPs, only 98 voted. Brothers of Italy: Not against the Commission, but not really for either In November 2024, the Commission was approved with some votes from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), especially from the Brothers of Italy party, and Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto was appointed from its ranks. In the no-confidence vote, a total of 41 ECR MEPs supported the motion against von der Leyen. A small number of conservatives broke ranks: three voted against, siding with parties that support the Commission, and two others chose to abstain. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni's party didn't vote at all, however. Despite not endorsing the motion and having attacked its promoters in a strong speech by Chairman Nicola Procaccini, Brothers of Italy did not dare to take the side of the Commission — possibly to avoid domestic criticism from the League. For von der Leyen, this is a signal that Meloni's support is not guaranteed. The Italian Prime Minister will likely remain loyal to the Commission, but she must manage internal tensions within a group that is largely positioned outside the pro-EU majority. Greens are still supportive — but for how long? The Greens/EFA group largely voted against the motion of censure (33 out of 53 Green MEPs), formally backing Ursula von der Leyen's Commission. But several MEPs told Euronews that the internal debate the day before the vote had been intense, even though none of them intended to vote in favour of the motion, which was widely seen within the party as led by the far right. Greens believe that the Commission's environmental agenda has been largely buried under the so-called 'omnibus' legislative packages, while the Green Deal is being dismantled. At the same time, the Commission is advancing a hardline migration policy that is at odds with the group's views. Indeed, several MEPs, including Spaniards and Italians, decided not to attend the vote. 'We strongly oppose von der Leyen's track record, so we did not participate,' MEP Benedetta Scuderi told Euronews. The group now finds itself in a paradoxical position within the European Parliament: acting as part of the governing majority while consistently losing key votes on environmental issues. How long will they continue to support a Commission that no longer champions their agenda? Far-right groups feel emboldened Despite the (widely expected) defeat of the no-confidence motion, its proponent, Gheorghe Piperea, claimed a symbolic victory. '175 votes in favour out of 553 MEPs who voted is a very good proportion,' he told Euronews just after the vote. 'Von der Leyen will now have to balance two contradictory promises in the budget: maintaining the European Social Fund and reallocating resources towards defence spending. I don't see her mandate as very stable.' According to sources in the Parliament, far-right parties — possibly led by the Patriots for Europe group — could table a new motion of censure after the summer. As MEP Piperea put it, this first motion of the legislature was meant to 'open Pandora's box'. The EU budget will be a real battle Next week, the European Commission will present its proposal for the next multiannual budget, set to run from 2028 to 2034. And here, the clash with Parliament could intensify. Budget negotiations — always difficult and contentious — have already become intertwined with the no-confidence vote. The S&D group firmly opposed the motion after reportedly receiving reassurances from von der Leyen that the European Social Fund (ESF) would remain a cornerstone of the next EU budget. But the European People's Party (EPP) was quick to dispute this narrative. 'The European Social Fund was never really in danger. We are very clear on that,' said MEP Siegfried Mureșan, the EPP's lead negotiator for the budget. 'As I have said before: the Parliament as a whole will defend the ESF.' Von der Leyen now faces the challenge of balancing traditional funding envelopes — like agriculture and cohesion — with growing demands for strategic investments in modern priorities. These include continued support for Ukraine, repayment of COVID-19 recovery debt, and increased defence spending. On top of all that, each political group that defended the Commission against the motion will expect something in return — and they'll fight tooth and nail to secure funding for their priorities.
