The Parliament is officially on holiday, the Commission had its last college meeting before the summer break and the Council has its last ministerial meetings next week. Does that mean we can happily pack up our buckets and spades and head for the beach?
Well, yes, but EU Reporter will not be going on holiday, because there’s always something happening and something usually requires an EU reaction, or even action. It’s also a good idea to stay on your toes during the summer, just in case the Commission wants to quietly publish something it would prefer flew under the radar.
Occasionally, the Commission can surprise sleepy Brussels correspondents, who only want to enjoy a Ricard on a terrace, with something pretty big, as in August 2016 when Vestager announced that Apple should repay billions in illegal state aid to the Irish government for the selective tax advantages from which it benefitted.
So stay tuned to EU Reporter, but the newsletter will enjoy an August break.
Finance ministers won’t be hanging up their boots until Tuesday, there will be an informal economic and finance ministers (ECOFIN) on Monday to discuss the new anti-money laundering proposals that the Commission presented last week, with an opportunity for ministers to express their views. They are also likely to give the nod to a further four national recovery and resilience plans.
The recent EU court judgments on Poland’s judicial system and ever-increasing anxiety over Hungary’s disregard for EU values and the rule of law – most recently manifested in its LGBTQ law, will continue to ripple through the summer months.
A key date is 16 August, the date that the Commission has given to Poland to comply with the court’s judgments. If not, and Polish sources suggest they won’t, this means the application of a substantial daily fine. It will almost certainly mean that the Parliament and many EU countries will insist on the application of ‘rule of law conditionality’ stopping the generous EU funding received by both countries.
Wednesday evening, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will chair the meeting of the advisory committee on COVID-19. The rise of the Delta variant across Europe could wreak havoc, though the EU is doing a very good job of reaching its target of 70% of all EU adults fully vaccinated by September.
So enjoy your holidays, stay safe and we look forward to September!
