EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement to be Signed in Paraguay
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, is set to sign the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement in Paraguay, following a green light from EU leaders for the trade deal that has been 25 years in the making. The agreement aims to create one of the world's largest free-trade areas, facilitating trade in goods such as cars and agricultural products, while also raising concerns among environmental analysts about potential negative impacts, including deforestation and increased carbon emissions linked to agricultural trade.
Greece Joins US and Saudi Arabia on Shipping Emissions
Greece has aligned with the United States and Saudi Arabia in a proposal to curb CO2 emissions from shipping, effectively breaking ranks with the European Union on the issue. Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou announced the collaboration during a meeting in Riyadh, stating that the three countries will submit a joint proposal to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). This move raises concerns in Brussels, as it undermines the EU's unified stance on global shipping decarbonisation, which is currently stalled at the IMO.
Serbian President Faces Student Protests Ahead of Elections
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is facing intensified student protests as the country gears up for a parliamentary election, although a specific date has yet to be announced. Following over a year of demonstrations, Vucic has indicated that the election could occur in late 2026 or early 2027, with potential dates narrowed down to October, November, or December. Meanwhile, students have shifted their focus from protests to election preparations, establishing campaign headquarters and engaging with citizens to build trust and mobilize voters.
Von der Leyen skips no-confidence vote in Strasbourg
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, will not attend the upcoming no-confidence vote scheduled for January 19 in Strasbourg, with Trade Commissioner Maros Sevcovic representing her instead. This marks the fourth motion of censure against von der Leyen in seven months, initiated by the right-wing Patriots for Europe group, led by Jordan Bardella, in response to her handling of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. The motion requires an absolute majority in the European Parliament to pass.
French Prime Minister to Propose 2026 Budget Reforms
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu is preparing to present new proposals for the 2026 budget following a stalled parliamentary debate that was likely to fail. His government aims to reach an agreement with the Socialist Party to avoid a vote of censure, potentially resorting to adopting the budget without a vote using Article 49.3 or through an ordinance.
