⊂ EUROPE ⊃
EU calls on Germany to reduce large current account surplus: The EU Commission on Wednesday called on Germany to reduce its large current account surplus and focus on boosting domestic consumption. Germany‘s current account surplus in 2016 was at a historically high level of 8.7 percent of gross domestic product. According to EU rules, member states should not exceed a threshold of an average 6 percent of GDP during three years. EU Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici described the current level of Germany‘s account surplus as not healthy.
en.europeonline-magazine.eu
EU Commission warns Italy on debt: The Commission warned Italy on Wednesday it risked disciplinary action if it did not adopt promised measures to cut its deficit, adding to pressure on a government facing possible early elections and rising euro-sceptic sentiment. Troubles including soured bank loans risk spilling into other euro-area countries, the Commission said. A disciplinary decision would only be taken after Brussels makes its next economic forecasts, which are expected in May.
reuters.com, bloomberg.com
EU investigation into statistical reporting in Salzburg: The EU Commission proposed on Wednesday fining Austria 29.8 million euros for misrepresenting data provided by its region of Salzburg in 2008-2012. A formal investigation showed that severe irregularities took place in the compilation, control and reporting of financial, as well as non-financial, transactions in Land Salzburg for several years. By serious negligence, public accounting rules were not followed, control was lacking, financial and non-financial transactions were not appropriately reported, and recommendations from the Austrian Federal Court of Audit were ignored.
reuters.com, europa.eu
French lawmakers take Ceta to Constitutional Council: More than 100 French MPs decided on Tuesday to appeal to the country’s Constitutional Council to block a contentious free trade deal between the EU and Canada. Opponents of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement say it will lead to a race to the bottom in labour and environmental standards and allow multinational corporations to dictate public policy. In a statement, 106 leftist members of France’s National Assembly said the accord implied a transfer of sovereignty by signatory countries beyond what they agreed upon in favour of the EU.
euractiv.com
Pesticides: MEPs want to promote use of natural alternatives europarl.europa.eu
Eurozone: Inflation hits four-year high in January nasdaq.com
⊂ QUOTES ⊃
„The French can tell the difference between genuine scandals and political dirty tricks.“
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen rejects accusations by the EU Parliament that EU cash was used by her party to pay the two assistants for non-parliamentary work.
politico.eu
⊂ COUNTRIES ⊃
Macron wins support in French presidential race: An influential French centrist politician struck an alliance with presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. The announcement by Francois Bayrou, a former education minister who has run for president three times, could tip the odds in favour of Macron getting into a runoff against far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Meanwhile, Le Pen’s bodyguard and chief of staff were detained for questioning Wednesday over alleged misuse of EU funds. The arrests were made in the wake of accusations by the EU Parliament that EU cash was used by the National Front to pay the two assistants for non-parliamentary work.
uk.reuters.com, politico.eu
Greece needs debt restructuring says Lagarde: Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headed to Berlin on Wednesday to discuss the Greek debt crisis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Greece doesn’t need a debt haircut at the moment, Lagarde said, adding that debt restructuring and interest rate cuts on bailout loans were necessary. She said Greece should implement pension and income tax reforms demanded by the IMF as a condition for taking part in a bailout program.
reuters.com
German cabinet approves faster migrant deportations: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a package of measures that will accelerate the deportation of rejected asylum-seekers while making it easier for security forces to track those awaiting a decision on their application for asylum. The new plan will allow security forces to check the cellphone data of new arrivals, while those who have been rejected may be kept in custody for up to 10 days to prevent them from absconding. Rules on surveillance of asylum-seekers will also be eased to allow those under suspicion to be watched more easily.
dw.com
British suicide bomber won compensation for Guantanamo stay: An “Islamic State” suicide bomber from Britain who blew himself up in an attack on Iraqi forces this week had been given compensation for his detention in the Guantanamo Bay military prison, Western security sources said on Wednesday. “Islamic State” militants said Abu-Zakariya al-Britani, a British citizen who was originally known as Ronald Fiddler and then cast himself as Jamal Udeen al-Harith, detonated a car bomb at an Iraqi army base southwest of Mosul this week.
reuters.com
Ukraine: Nationalists demand purge of government euronews.com
Italy: Rally against Uber euronews.com
⊂ JOB-BOARD ⊃
politjobs.eu: PlasticsEurope seeks Public Affairs Manager (m/f) *** GIZ seeks Policy Advisor (m/f) *** Siegfried Mureșan MEP offers Traineeship *** European Sunlight Association seeks Communication Officer *** ChildFund Alliance seeks Director – Brussels Office *** Mototrola Solutions seeks Director of Government Affairs – Europe and Africa *** Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft sucht Praktikant (m/w) *** Uni Europa seeks Policy Officer (m/f)
politjobs.eu, politjobs.eu/submit (Inserat schalten)
⊂ MALFUNCTION ⊃
Russia to build model of German Reichstag: The Russian military is to build a replica of the German parliament at a theme park near Moscow that children will be encouraged to attack. The idea is meant to recreate the moment when Soviet troops entered Berlin at the end of World War II, and is part of government plans to encourage patriotism among young people, provide physical training and teach basic military skills. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the plan for the replica during a speech to the Duma, Russia’s parliament, on Wednesday.
politico.eu, theguardian.com