Brussels, September 3, 2025 — The European Commission has officially endorsed the long-anticipated EU-Mercosur trade agreement, marking a significant move towards strengthening economic ties between the European Union and South America’s major trading bloc. This endorsement comes despite persistent reservations voiced by France, which has been vocal about its concerns regarding environmental and agricultural impacts […]| Brussels Watch
Starting next week, the European Parliament will enforce significantly tighter rules restricting access to its premises for journalists, lobbyists, and diplomats. This move ends the long-standing tradition of relatively open access where holders of color-coded badges—for journalists, lobbyists, and diplomats—could freely roam the European Parliament’s Brussels and Strasbourg buildings. The new regulations require invitations signed […]| Brussels Watch
The European automobile industry’s main lobbying groups have stepped forward with urgent calls to rethink the continent’s ambitious carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions targets for vehicles. Against a backdrop of increasing pressure on car manufacturers to meet stringent environmental goals, lobbyists argue that the current framework risks undermining the industry’s competitiveness and workforce stability. The call […]| Brussels Watch
In a dramatic escalation of the so-called ‘Qatargate’ scandal, Belgian police have issued an arrest warrant for a US-based Qatari lobbyist suspected of orchestrating a complex bribery scheme aimed at influencing European Union officials. The announcement marks a significant development in the wide-ranging investigation that has surveilled corruption, illicit lobbying, and the undermining of democratic […]| Brussels Watch
On Friday, as three U.S. destroyers headed towards waters off of Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro mobilized 4.5 million militiamen in response, Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a one-word tweet: “#Guyana.” The post included a screenshot of a statement from the Guyanese government, which echoed concerns from Washington about Venezuelan transnational organized crime, all but offering support for the military escalation. Those concerns are based on the debunked assertion that Mad...| Responsible Statecraft
Moldova warns that Russia is targeting voters across the EU through disinformation and cyber tactics to influence September elections and undermine democracy.| Brussels Watch
Why are the people being paid to fix the problems DOGE created also taking money from Musk?| The American Prospect
PD MEP Ricci among 24 probed in Pesaro graft case, with allegations centered on contract awards. Investigation shakes local politics.| Brussels Watch
Buoyed by Trump’s deregulatory agenda, rail companies press for cost-cutting measures that could undermine railroad safety.| The American Prospect