| | Dear Readers,
Italy has voted and the far-right has won. Giorgia Meloni will soon be the first female Prime Minister in the history of the Italian Republic. She has the support of a majority of voters many of whom, far from being moderate and pro-European, are highly Eurosceptic, nationalistic and populist.
Since the evening of 25 September, Europe has been looking towards Rome with great uncertainty: waiting to see whether, Meloni will take care to show the same solidity in relations with the European Union as she has shown to the transatlantic alliance.
It is indeed paradoxical that, at a time when the Italian economy can only survive thanks to substantial European funding and the ECB's purchase of government bonds, Italians are rewarding a party that has constantly questioned the usefulness of the euro, the European Union and the European integration process.
Until recently, Meloni, who is known for her neo-fascist views, was calling for a "Europe of peoples" instead of a "Europe of bureaucrats", in the best sovereigntist tradition already seen in Budapest and Warsaw. Will Italy become a beacon for Euroscepticism, which is now widespread, not only in Eastern Europe but also in France, Sweden, Spain and Austria?
It is too early to tell, and Meloni is trying at the moment to reassure not only Washington but also Brussels and Frankfurt - although less so Berlin and Paris. If the new Italian government sets itself in opposition to the EU, the European institutions will have to prove that the Europe that emerged from the ashes of Nazi fascism is first and foremost a community of shared values: Rule of law, separation of powers, the principle of equality, freedom of expression, to name but a few. It is the task of the European institutions to protect these values against anyone who challenges them.
The Centre for European Politics will continue to monitor the situation in Italy together with its partner institute Centro Politiche Europee |Roma.
Stay tuned!
Andrea De Petris
Scientific Director Centro Politiche Europee | Roma |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | A new game: How will the future Italian government position itself vis-à-vis Europe? |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | Latest EU Proposals in Focus |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | Vehicles: Tougher Euro 7 emission standards
On 12 October 2022, as part of its Sustainable Mobility Strategy [COM(2020) 789; see cepPolicyBrief 9/2021] and its Zero Pollution Action Plan [COM(2021) 400; see cepPolicyBrief 20/2021] the European Commission will propose stricter Euro 7 emission standards for air pollutants from all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles [Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007] and from lorries and buses [Regulation (EC) No. 595/2009]. To ensure that future vehicles are environmentally friendly throughout their life cycle, EU rules will take account of new vehicle technologies and ensure that emissions are measured in real time.
Water pollution: Updating EU requirements
On 26 October, as part of its Zero Pollution Action Plan [COM(2021) 400; see cepPolicyBrief 20/2021], the Commission will present proposals to amend EU targets on "priority" pollutants [Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC; amending Directive 2013/39/EU and amending Directive 2014/80/EU] and for urban waste water treatment [Directive 91/271/EEC]. In doing so, it aims to bring EU legislation to combat water pollution into line with new scientific findings.
Air pollution: Updating EU requirements
On 26 October 2022, as part of its Zero Pollution Action Plan [COM(2021) 400; see cepPolicyBrief 20/2021] the Commission will submit proposals to amend the Directives on air pollutants [2004/107/EC] and ambient air quality [2008/50/EC]. In doing so, it aims to bring EU legislation to combat air pollution into line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. |
| | |
|
|---|
|
| | | | | | Payment Transactions: Proposals on instant credit transfers (instant payments) On 26 October 2022, the Commission will present a proposal for a Regulation on instant credit transfers (“instant payments”). Instant payments allow funds to be available in a payee's account in just a few seconds, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With this aim, the European Payments Council (EPC) developed the so-called "SCT Inst Scheme" which is (currently) underused by payment service providers in the EU. The Commission therefore wants to propose measures aimed at boosting the use of instant credit transfers in the EU, partly on grounds of industrial policy, to avoid losing further ground to Big Tech companies. |
| | |
|
|---|
|
| | | | | | The Commission, the Council and the European Parliament regularly negotiate in the so-called trilogue on EU legislative proposals in order to find a common position. There are no new trilogue agreements for the time covered by the current newsletter to refer to. |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | | The EU Commission asks decision-makers and interested parties from civil society for their opinion on European policy proposals. Here is our short-list of the most important consultations: |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | Forests: Monitoring and data collection
As part of its EU Forest Strategy 2030 [COM(2021) 572], the Commission announced measures to improve the condition of forests in the EU. For this purpose, it wants to submit a proposal for a Regulation on monitoring, reporting and data collection in order to obtain harmonised and detailed information on the condition and management of forests.
The submission period for opinions ends on 17 November 2022.
Go to Consultation |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | Passenger rights: Better protection for passengers announced
The Commission wants to strengthen passenger rights in the event of delays, cancellations and liquidity crises or insolvencies affecting travel providers, because consumers are often unaware of their rights and have difficulty asserting and enforcing them. In addition, passenger rights are inconsistent when passengers use different modes of transport - so-called multimodal travel, for example the combination of train and plane. The existing legislation will therefore be consolidated, simplified and made more "crisis-resilient" in order to improve the ability of passengers to assert their rights in the future. The prompt reimbursement of ticket prices in the event of insolvency, and the involvement of intermediaries, will also be addressed.
The submission period for opinions ends on 7 December 2022.
Go to Consultation |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | Critical Raw Materials: Supply Security Act
The EU Commission seeks to raise supply security for critical raw materials like rare earths, lithium and cobalt. The aim of the designated regulation is to create instruments to better monitor supply risks, foster the creation of domestic value chains, and support the development of a new EU foreign policy with regard to critical raw materials. Sources of supply are to be diversified and secondary production strengthened by means of raw material recycling. In the consultation, it is possible to make your own proposals on priorities and measures.
The submissions period for opinions ends on 25 November 2022.
Go to Consultation |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | 3 - 6 October 2022
Strasbourg Session of the European Parliament. This will concern, among other things, the EU Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (see cepPolicyBrief 17/2021) and serious cross-border health threats (see cepPolicyBrief 19/2021).
3 October 2022
Luxembourg Meeting of the Euro Group. This concerned, among other things, the macro-economic situation of the Euro area and the digital Euro.
4 October 2022
Luxembourg Meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin). This will concern, among other things, energy prices and REPowerEU, the EU Recovery Plan and the financial effects of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
6 October 2022
Prague Meeting of the European Political Community. The aim of the European Political Community is to promote political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, to strengthen security, stability and prosperity on the European continent.
7 October 2022
Prague Informal meeting of heads of state or government. Among other things, it will be about Russia's war in Ukraine, energy and the general economic situation. 17 - 20 October 2022 Strasbourg Session of the European Parliament. *
18 October 2022
Luxembourg Meeting of the General Affairs Council. This will concern Ukraine, energy, economic issues and external relations. 20 - 21 October 2022 Brussels Meeting of the European Council. This will concern an exchange of views on the conference on the future of Europe.
26 October 2022
Brussels Meeting of the College of Commissioners. This will concern, among other things, the regulation of instant credit transfers.
30 - 31 October 2022
Prague Informal meeting of trade ministers. *
*The precise agenda was not yet available at the time of going to press. |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | | cepAdhoc: Italy at the Brink of a Political Landslide |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | In Italy's parliamentary elections on 25 September, the extreme right under Giorgia Meloni looked set to win. The right-wing populist is considered particularly Eurosceptic. Nevertheless, the Centro Politiche Europee ROMA (cep) does not expect an anti-EU political course after Meloni's win. According to the author, the room for manoeuvre of a government of right-wing extremists and centre-right parties were too small for that.
Go to cepAdhoc 11/2022 |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | cepInput: Future EU Care Policy Faces Major Social Challenges |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | Europe's population is ageing dramatically. Care systems are facing ever greater social and financial challenges with massive staff shortages. The Commission therefore announced a new care strategy on 7 September. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) believes that a reform is urgently needed. The think tank insists on more help for friends and relatives who act as carers.
Go to cepInput 12/2022 |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | cepAdhoc: EU Emergency Intervention in the Electricity Market |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | Scarce resources, exploding prices: The existence-threatening energy crisis forces the EU and Member States to cushion the costs for consumers and companies without jeopardising energy-saving incentives. The Centrum für Europäische Politik (cep) calls for a quick implementation of the Commission’s proposal for an emergency regulation. However, interventions in the electricity market should be limited to this winter. Go to cepAdhoc 10/2022 |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | | "Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare", says an Italian proverb. Despite all the Eurosceptic campaign slogans, the room for manoeuvre of a future Italian government is small. The country's economy and finances are too dependent on the European institutions. And as it is well known, there is a big sea between talking and doing.
Sincerely
Centrum für Europäische Politik |
|
|
|---|
|
| | | | Recommend our newsletter to others or sign up! |
| | |
|
|---|
|
| | |
|
|
|
|
