On Friday, 23 February 2018, the European Council met in Brussels at an informal meeting to discuss the EU’s long-term budgetary plans and Institutional issues. Brexit, relations with Turkey, and Syria were also discussed. The meeting took place under the Leaders’ Agenda and as the discussions were future-orientated, leaders met in an EU27 format without…
Presidential elections took place in the Republic of Cyprus over the course of two rounds of voting, with the first round taking place on 28 January 2018. Nine candidates stood for election, including the incumbent President, Nicos Anastasiades. Voters went to the polls once again in the run-off on Sunday, 4 February, re-electing President Anastasiades…
Presidential elections were held in Finland on Sunday, 28 January 2018, with eight candidates contesting the election. Finnish President, Sauli Niinistö, was re-elected for a second term as President. For the first time since 1994, there was no second round run-off as President Niinistö secured more than 50 per cent of the first round vote…
Presidential elections took place in the Czech Republic over two rounds of voting, which took place on 12-13 and 26-27 January. Nine candidates stood for election, including the incumbent President, Miloš Zeman, who was re-elected for a second term in office. Background The President of the Czech Republic is elected every five years, using…
We partnered with the DCU Brexit Institute for their inaugural event, Brexit, Ireland and the Future of Europe, on 25 January 2018.The event was opened by his Excellency Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland. Noelle O Connell joined a panel of academics and civil society representatives, including Etain Tannam (Trinity College Dublin) and Dan Kelemen (Rutgers University)…
European Movement (EM) Ireland today hosted a seminar in the Department of the Taoiseach on the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and launched its Bulgarian Presidency Calendar which runs from 1 January to 30 June 2018. Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Ireland, H.E. Branimir Zaimov said: “The…
Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Ireland, H.E. Branimir Zaimov and Minister for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D. spoke at EM Ireland’s briefing on the new Presidency of the Council of the EU and launch of the latest Presidency Calendar
On 1 January, the Republic of Bulgaria took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Estonia, marking the first time Bulgaria has held the Presidency since joining the EU in 2007. In 2009, the Lisbon Treaty established a system whereby a trio of Member States consecutively hold the Presidency, working…