Archiv: EU Commission / EU Kommission


28.02.2026 - 01:33 [ The Good Lobby Profs - thegoodlobby.eu ]

Re: Request for an Investigation into the Conduct of Former Commissioner Peter Mandelson During and After his Mandate as EU Trade Commissioner (2004–2008) and Referral to the Independent Ethics Body

(February 25, 2026)

Commissioners are bound by obligations of integrity and discretion during but also beyond the end of their mandate. Article 245 TFEU requires Commissioners to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance of certain appointments or benefits after their term of office. Article 17(3) TEU further provides that Members of the Commission shall be completely independent in the performance of their duties and shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government or other institution, body, office or entity.

The Code of Conduct for Members of the European Commission explicitly prohibits the use of confidential information obtained during the mandate for any purpose other than the exercise of official duties. There is no evident limitation period that would preclude an institutional inquiry by the Commission itself into whether these obligations were violated. The Commission has both the competence and, we would argue, the duty to investigate under Articles 17 and 245 TFEU, the Code of Conduct, and the Commission’s own institutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.

28.02.2026 - 01:12 [ Alberto Alemanno / X ]

Together with over 60 law professors we asked @vonderleyen to open an investigation on Peter Mandelson’s exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein at the time the former was EU Trade Commissioner.

(February 26, 2026)

As reported by @POLITICOEurope
#playbook Full text of the letter:

28.02.2026 - 01:02 [ TKP.at ]

Rechtsgelehrte fordern Untersuchung der Tätigkeit von Epstein-Freund Mandelson als EU-Kommissar

Während sich die britischen Medien auf Mandelsons spätere Rolle als Kabinettsminister unter dem damaligen Premierminister Gordon Brown (2008–2010) konzentriert haben, fordern die Professoren eine genaue Untersuchung seiner vierjährigen Amtszeit als EU-Handelskommissar. In dieser Funktion leitete er Verhandlungen, darunter die Doha-Entwicklungsrunde, die Verhandlungen über ein Freihandelsabkommen zwischen der EU und Indien (FTA) und Handelsstreitigkeiten zwischen der EU und der ASEAN.

Aus Dokumenten, die vom US-Justizministerium veröffentlicht wurden, geht hervor, dass Mandelsons Verbindungen zu Epstein von 2002 bis 2011 bestanden, also seine gesamte Amtszeit bei der EU-Kommission umfassten.

02.02.2026 - 19:09 [ Express.co.uk ]

Is this the Prince of Darkness‘s final scandal? We look back at his worst controversies

Last week, the Express reported in detail on how Palantir secured a „record“ £240 million deal with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in late 2025, forming part of a wider, more extensive, and occasionally undisclosed, £670m+ package of agreements with the UK government. Peter Mandelson played a significant role with Global Counsel, a consultancy that lobbied for Palantir and was was viewed as enabling the firm‘s access to the Starmer government. The tight relationship between the UK government and Palantir attracted fierce scrutiny owing to Palantir‘s connections to Donald Trump (via co-founder Peter Thiel) and its participation in contentious AI-powered military surveillance.

As Mandelson‘s slimy rise and slippery fall have been documented over the years, it seems extraordinary that he could have lasted this long. Let‘s hope this sorry latest scandal relating to Epstein will be the last we hear of the Prince of Darkness

19.01.2026 - 16:58 [ Reuters ]

World leaders show caution on Trump‘s broader ‚Board of Peace‘ amid fears for UN

The board would be chaired for life by Trump and would start by addressing the Gaza conflict and then be expanded to deal with other conflicts, according to a copy of the letter and draft charter seen by Reuters.

19.01.2026 - 16:26 [ CNN ]

Putin invited to join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Kremlin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace,” the committee that will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza, his spokesman said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters during a regular media briefing, Dmitry Peskov said: “President Putin also received through diplomatic channels an invitation to join this Board of Peace.”

He said the Kremlin is now reviewing the invitation and “hoping to get more details from the US side.”

CNN has asked the White House for a comment.

19.01.2026 - 16:24 [ Kyiv Independent ]

US considering creating ‚Board of Peace‘ for Ukraine, modeled after plan for Gaza, FT reports

(January 17, 2026)

The potential plan is reportedly modeled off U.S. President Donald Trump‘s plan for the post-war reconstruction of Gaza. The details on a potential Board of Peace for Ukraine were not immediately clear.

Trump initially announced his Gaza Board of Peace on Jan. 15 in a post on Truth Social, signalling the start of the second phase of the U.S.-led plan to establish long-term peace between Israel and Palestine. The board, chaired by Trump, is likely to take temporary charge of Gaza’s administration and reconstruction efforts.

18.01.2026 - 17:54 [ Ynetnews.com ]

‚Trump United Nations‘: Netanyahu invited to join Board of Peace

Washington reportedly mulls expanding Trump’s Board of Peace beyond Gaza to Ukraine and Venezuela;

18.01.2026 - 17:42 [ Middle East Eye ]

Trump wants nations to pay $1bn to join Gaza ‚Board of Peace‘: report

A draft charter for the group, seen by Bloomberg, establishes Trump as its inaugural chairman, who would have a veto over membership.

The document stipulates that states‘ membership will be limited to three years, unless they “contribute more than USD $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force“, guaranteeing them permanent membership.

The charter opens by stressing the need for „a more nimble and effective international peace-building body“, adding that lasting peace requires „the courage to depart from … institutions that have too often failed“.

The language has prompted concerns that Trump is seeking to build a rival to the United Nations.

10.01.2026 - 15:17 [ Tagesschau.de ]

US-Griff nach Grönland: Die Scheu der Europäer vor einer starken Antwort

Der NATO-Chef ist bekannt dafür, im Umgang mit Trump auf eine Umarmungsstrategie zu setzen. Kritische Worte Richtung Washington werden von ihm nicht zu hören sein.

(…)

Während Dänemark und Spanien die Übernahmefantasien des US-Präsidenten verurteilen und der spanische Regierungschef Pedro Sanchez sogar von einem „Verbrechen“ sprach, schlägt Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen bei der Übergabe der Ratspräsidentschaft diese Woche an Zypern leisere Töne an.

(…)

Es sei keinesfalls so, dass die Europäer keine Hebel hätten, um den USA deutlich zu machen: „Damit ist jetzt Schluss.“

Doch von solchen Maßnahmen gegen die USA ist in Brüssel nichts zu hören.

05.01.2026 - 01:19 [ Amerika21.de ]

EU verurteilt Angriff der USA auf Venezuela nicht

Brüssel/Caracas/Washington. Der EU-Außenbeauftragte Katja Kallas hat nach dem Angriff der USA und der Entführung von Venezuelas Präsident Nicolás Maduro zur „Zurückhaltung“ aufgerufen. Die Oberste Repräsentantin der EU betonte, dass die EU wiederholt erklärt habe, Maduro fehle die Legitimität, und er setze sich für einen friedlichen Machtwechsel ein.

04.09.2025 - 21:39 [ Politico.eu ]

EU Commission’s Ribera says Israel’s war on Gaza is genocide

Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s executive vice president, also said Europe was too divided to do anything about the starvation, displacement and killing of Palestinians.

“The genocide in Gaza exposes Europe’s failure to act and speak with one voice, even as protests spread across European cities and 14 U.N. Security Council members call for an immediate ceasefire,” Ribera told students at Sciences Po in a speech Thursday morning.

05.07.2025 - 05:19 [ Politico.eu ]

Borrell accuses EU institutions of inaction over Gaza

(July 3, 2025)

“In just one month, U.S. mercenaries have killed 550 Palestinians who were trying to get food at the distribution points designated by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. This is horrifying, yet the @EU_Commission and @EUCouncil still haven’t taken any action against these criminal acts,” Borrell wrote in a post on X.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GFH) — a food aid organization backed by the U.S. and Israel — has drawn criticism over shootings of civilians seeking aid, with 170 NGOs recently urging its closure.

05.07.2025 - 05:16 [ Palestine Chronicle ]

‘US Mercenaries’ Killed 550 Starving Palestinians in Gaza – Former EU Chief

(July 4, 2025)

“In 1 month 550 starving Palestinians have been killed by US mercenaries while trying to get food at the points indicated by the so called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” Borrell stated on X on Thursday.

“This is horrendous but the EU Commission and EU Council remain unwilling to take any action against these crimes,” he added.

Borrell, who concluded his term as the EU’s top diplomat in 2024, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s ongoing military operation in the Strip and previously called for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

04.05.2025 - 10:32 [ Electronic Intifada ]

Israel and EU seek to boost trade amid war of extermination

A document obtained via a freedom of information request gives some insight into such efforts. It concerns a discussion held between Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s trade commissioner, and Nir Barkat, Israel’s economy minister, in March.

Two main topics were addressed, according to a readout of the meeting – see below.

24.03.2025 - 11:52 [ theGuardian.com ]

Intercepting the Internet

(29.April 1999)

European commission documents obtained this week reveal plans to require manufacturers and operators to build in „interception interfaces“ to the Internet and all future digital communications systems. The plans, drafted by a US-led international organisation of police and security agencies, will be proposed to EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers at the end of May.

(…)

The plans require the installation of a network of tapping centres throughout Europe, operating almost instantly across all national boundaries, providing access to every kind of communications including the net and satellites. A German tapping centre could intercept Internet messages in Britain, or a British detective could listen to Dutch phone calls. There could even be several tapping centres listening in at once.

07.03.2025 - 06:29 [ Watson.ch ]

EU reagiert mit massiver Aufrüstung auf Trump

Zuvor hatte Macron als Reaktion auf Trumps Kurswechsel seine schon fünf Jahre alten Überlegungen zu einer gemeinsamen nuklearen Abschreckung bekräftigt. Er hatte dabei an eine Aussage des potenziellen Nachfolgers von Scholz – CDU-Chef Friedrich Merz – angeknüpft. «Als Antwort auf den historischen Aufruf des zukünftigen deutschen Kanzlers habe ich beschlossen, die strategische Debatte über den Schutz unserer Verbündeten auf dem europäischen Kontinent durch unsere Abschreckung zu eröffnen.» Die Entscheidungshoheit über einen Einsatz will er aber allein bei Frankreich belassen.

03.02.2025 - 21:39 [ France24.com ]

French PM Bayrou uses special constitutional powers to force 2025 budget through parliament

French Prime Minister François Bayrou used special executive powers on Monday to force his government’s 2025 budget through parliament without a vote. France‘s hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party has said it will put forward a no-confidence motion which is likely to take place on Wednesday.

03.02.2025 - 21:33 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Frankreich: Bayrou setzt Haushalt per Sonderartikel durch

Artikel 49.3 der französischen Verfassung ermöglicht unter anderem die Verabschiedung eines Haushalts ohne Abstimmung in der Nationalversammlung, wenn die Regierung ein anschließendes Misstrauensvotum übersteht. Die linke Partei La France Insoumise (LFI) hat bereits angekündigt, ein solches Votum zu beantragen. Sollte eine Mehrheit der Abgeordneten der Regierung das Vertrauen entziehen, wäre auch der Haushalt durchgefallen.

Dies gilt jedoch als unwahrscheinlich, da die Sozialisten sich hinter die Mitte-Rechts-Regierung stellen wollen: kein einziger Abgeordneter wolle für den Antrag der LFI stimmen, hieß es in der Fraktion der Sozialisten.

03.02.2025 - 21:26 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Hochverschuldetes Frankreich: Rat der EU billigt Bayrous Sparpläne

(January 21, 2025)

Denn das EU-Regelwerk für Staatsschulden und Defizite schreibt nicht nur vor, dass das Staatsdefizit unter drei Prozent der Wirtschaftsleistung liegen muss, sondern auch, dass der Schuldenstand eines Mitgliedstaates 60 Prozent der Wirtschaftsleistung nicht überschreiten darf. Dafür muss jedes Mitgliedsland der Europäischen Union gemeinsam mit der für die Aufsicht zuständigen EU-Kommission einen mehrjährigen Haushaltsplan aufstellen.

16.01.2025 - 21:51 [ Nachdenkseiten ]

„Räuberpistolen“ – Annullierung der Präsidentschaftswahl in Rumänien als Blaupause für die anstehende Bundestagswahl?

(January 14, 2025)

Im Dezember 2024 hatte das Verfassungsgericht die Präsidentschaftswahlen in Rumänien mit Verweis auf eine angeblich russische Beeinflussungskampagne auf TikTok annulliert. Jetzt haben Recherchen ans Licht gebracht, dass in Wirklichkeit nicht „russische Agenten“, sondern die NATO-freundliche Präsidenten- und Regierungspartei PNL höchstselbst die Kampagne initiiert und bezahlt hatte. Mutmaßlich, um ein Instrument zu haben, im Falle einer für sie schlecht laufenden Wahl diese rückgängig machen zu können. Völlig unbeeindruckt von diesen Erkenntnissen fordert derweil der EU-Kommissar a.D. Thierry Breton, „falls nötig“, auch die Bundestagswahl nach rumänischem Vorbild zu annullieren. Die NachDenkSeiten fragten nach der Bewertung der Bundesregierung. Diese sieht in den neuen Erkenntnissen nur „Räuberpistolen“.

15.01.2025 - 00:06 [ RAIR Foundation USA ]

The EU’s Coup Against Democracy: Thierry Breton Threatens to Invalidate German Elections (Video)

(January 12, 2025)

The backlash was swift and vocal. Critics across Europe condemned Breton’s remarks, seeing them as a dangerous precedent in the EU’s approach to member states’ sovereignty. Observers noted that Breton’s comments revealed an alarming willingness to override the will of voters if outcomes do not align with EU preferences.

Many linked these actions to the EU’s broader push to control narratives, highlighting efforts to censor platforms like X in Europe to prevent dissent and scrutiny. The underlying motive, critics argue, is to silence opposition and maintain control, but such efforts may ultimately backfire as the truth surfaces despite their attempts to suppress it.

14.01.2025 - 20:03 [ RomaniaJournal.ro ]

Ex-Commissioner Breton: ‘What Was Done in Romania May Be Needed in Germany’

(January 10, 2025)

“Let’s stay calm and enforce the laws in Europe, when they risk being circumvented and if not enforced, could lead to interference. They did it in Romania and, obviously, it will have to be done, if necessary, in Germany as well,” he concluded, referring to the cancellation of the first round of the presidential elections in December.

14.01.2025 - 19:58 [ European Conservative ]

Former Censorship Tsar Admits EU Role in Annulling Romanian Election

‚We’ll also have to do it in Germany, if necessary,‘ Thierry Breton confessed—as up to 100,000 people took to the streets of Romania.

21.03.2024 - 22:00 [ David Hearst / Middle East Eye ]

War on Gaza: Israel is dragging the US into a future regional war

Netanyahu’s game plan is now clear: prolong the war as long as possible; seal all the land borders, ending with Rafah; and make the sea the only escape route for Palestinians from Gaza.

Behind the hot words of condemnation, Biden and the EU have thus far played into his hands. The infrastructure for just such a plan is being built before our eyes, with Washington’s willing assistance. (…)

The plan for a maritime route to Gaza via Cyprus was initiated by Netanyahu, a senior diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post. “Netanyahu took the initiative to establish maritime humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, in collaboration with the Biden administration,” the source said.

The date when this happened is more important than the identity of the scheme’s author. According to this report, Netanyahu outlined his strategy to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on 31 October, just three weeks after the Hamas attack, and revisited the matter with Biden on 19 January.

In other words, the floating pier was not a reaction to impending famine. It was part of the planning that created it.

08.03.2024 - 21:24 [ David Cameron / Twitter ]

People in Gaza are in desperate humanitarian need. Alongside the US, the UK and partners have announced we will open a maritime corridor to deliver aid directly to Gaza. We continue to urge Israel to allow more trucks into Gaza as the fastest way to get aid to those who need it.

08.03.2024 - 21:14 [ White House ]

Joint Statement from the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States Endorsing the Activation of a Maritime Corridor to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza

The United States announced an emergency mission led by the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier in Gaza, in coordination with humanitarian partners and other countries, to enable the delivery of significant quantities of assistance by sea. These efforts will be closely coordinated with the Government of Israel.

The delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to Gaza by sea will be complex, and our nations will continue to assess and adjust our efforts to ensure we deliver aid as effectively as possible. This maritime corridor can—and must—be part of a sustained effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes.