EU Justice Ministers Reach Agreement on Preventing Migrant Smuggling

The Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union, under the Hungarian presidency, has agreed on the general approach to have EU Member States better align their criminal laws on migrant smuggling. Out of the 380,00 illegal border crossings recorded in 2023, about 90 per cent were facilitated by smugglers, according to Europol.

President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen rings a bell to start the first meeting of the new College of Commissioners of the European Union in Brussels on December 4, 2024. (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP)

Reclaiming Europe’s Future Goes Through Bold Reforms

‘The leaders and politicians of our continent need to acknowledge a reality that the average European citizen has already discovered, namely, that Europe is on a dangerous path that will lead to total geopolitical irrelevancy and economic misery.’

European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen (L) and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola pose with the results of the election of the Commissioners at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 27 November 2024.

Indebtedness and Endless Financing of the War: The EU Today

‘The total EU debt-to-GDP ratio is nearing a staggering 90 per cent. EU citizens are being forced into collective debt against their will, with Hungarians then even denied access to funds. That is a ludicrous scenario. It’s like a bank forcing a person to take out a mortgage loan, then refusing to actually disburse the loan, but sending debt collectors to recover the repayments. This is where we stand in Europe today.’

Hungary Beat Romania, Keeps Perfect Record at Women’s Handball Euros

The Hungarian Women’s National Handball Team secured their spot in the semi-final of the 2024 European Women’s Handball Championship by beating national rivals Romania 37–29 in Group I of the main round in Debrecen, Hungary. Hungary have won all six games in the tournament so far; and have made it to the semi-final for the first time in 12 years.

The Last EU Competitiveness Council Meeting Concludes under Hungarian Presidency

European competitiveness was made the top priority of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2024, thus the meetings of the EU Competitiveness Council have carried special, added significance to them. The last of these meetings took place last week under the Hungarian Presidency, where five conclusions were adopted by the Member States.

Incoming EUCO President Costa Lauds Orbán’s Constructiveness

Viktor Orbán has been a highly constructive politician in recent years, shaping his positions around Hungary’s national interests, incoming President of the European Council Antonio Costa said in a recent interview. The former Portuguese prime minister has known Orbán for many years and is a frequent visitor to Budapest.

EP Approves Second Von der Leyen Commission with Historically Low Support

With the lowest level of support in the EU’s history, the European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen’s second Commission, set to begin work in December. The largest conservative EP group, Patriots for Europe unanimously voted against the new Commission, stating that it goes against the will of the electorate.

Will Europe and Hungary Stay Competitive?

‘The challenges generated by the demographic change are increasingly urgent. Ageing populations and declining birth rates are putting enhanced pressure on public financing systems and threatening long-term economic sustainability, therefore, the conference aims to explore the economic and social consequences of demographic change and discuss possible solutions.’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rings the bell during a College meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels on 30 October 2024.

What Can We Expect from the New Commission?

‘The President made a powerful comment on Ukraine: “Ukraine is fighting for our freedom every day—and we must work for its freedom too.” In light of this, she resolved that our top priority will continue to be “rallying partners to support with short-term needs and long-term reconstruction efforts”.’