Tony Connelly

Europe Editor

Michael McGrath was confirmed as the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law following a hearing before a European Parliament committee earlier this month

McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team

Ireland's new EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has appointed an Irish woman working within the EU institutions to head up his new team on the eve of the new Commission being approved by the European Parliament.

Europe • 26 Nov 24

Michael McGrath was confirmed as the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law following a three hour hearing before a European Parliament committee earlier this month

McGrath appoints Knab-Lunny as head of new team

Ireland's new EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has appointed an Irish woman working within the EU institutions to head up his new team on the eve of the new Commission being approved by the European Parliament.

Europe • 26 Nov 24

Josep Borrell discussed suspending political dialogue with Israel with EU foreign ministers in Brussels

'No agreement' on EU suspending dialogue with Israel

European Union foreign ministers have not reached agreement to suspend political dialogue with Israel during a meeting in Brussels, according to the Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

Europe • 18 Nov 24

European competitiveness and productivity are falling behind the US and China while Europe deals with a host of other crises

How can Europe tap into trillions worth of hidden funds?

When EU officials travelled to Washington recently, the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell showed them a chart showing American productivity over a 40-year period compared to European productivity.

Analysis and Comment • 19 Nov 24

The proposal is contained in a letter in which Mr Borrell claims there were 'serious concerns about possible breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza'

EU's Borrell proposes suspension to dialogue with Israel

The EU's outgoing foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed to EU foreign ministers that they suspend political dialogue with Israel due to the Gaza war, and that the EU should invoke the human rights clause in its trade relations with Israel.

Middle East • 14 Nov 24

The European Parliament called for more targeted measures against the Russian vessels in the next EU sanctions packages

MEPs approve sanctions against Russia's 'shadow fleet'

MEPs have voted for targeted sanctions against Russia's so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers which has allowed Moscow to export large volumes of crude oil and petroleum products despite EU, G7 and international sanctions.

Europe • 14 Nov 24

The US president-elect has threatened 10% tariffs on European exports, and to withdraw support from Ukraine.

Trump and the EU: Everything Everywhere all at Once

This week's gathering of European leaders in Budapest could not have more starkly illustrated the unease gripping Europe as Donald Trump was victorious in his election campaign in the US. Trump has won the support of a majority of Americans but what impact will his victory have on Europeans?

Analysis and Comment • 09 Nov 24

EU ambassadors have been holding 'confessional' meetings in Brussels with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to share their own thoughts on how to respond to a possible Donald Trump victory

EU prepares for Donald Trump to retake US reins

The shadow of a possible Trump comeback had fallen over so much EU policy-making in the past two years, that the US election was virtually a more important calendar event than any European summit or electoral transition, writes Tony Connelly.

US Election 2024 • 07 Nov 24