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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · 10d

EUobserver's weekly agenda is back.

euobserver.com/agenda/ar058...

Informal EU summits and deregulation This WEEK

An informal EUCO will take place in Copenhagen, where EU leaders will focus on Ukraine, defence, and using Russian frozen assets. Also this week, leaders from all of Europe will gather in Denmark for ...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · 13d

Moldovan citizens are going to the polls on Sunday (28 September), in what is set to be a highly-contested election — with possible implications for the whole continent. This election is not about left or right; it is about a democratic Moldova or Russia.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Small country, big decision: Moldova faces democratic stress test

Moldovan citizens are going to the polls on Sunday, in what is set to be a highly-contested election — with possible fallout for the whole continent. This election is not about left or right; it is ab...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · 14d

Some 541,000 Russians visited the EU last year, compared to 517,000 in 2023, and over four million a year before Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Despite a new sanctions crackdown on the sector, Russian tourists will continue to be able to visit the EU.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

No new hurdles planned for Russian tourists to EU

Russians tourists will be able to keep coming to the EU despite a new sanctions crackdown on the sector, diplomats have said.

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · 15d

"An effective EU policy ... needs to acknowledge that settler violence is state violence, enabled and tolerated by the Israeli regime’s policy of complete impunity". Strong piece by Yoav Shemer-Kunz, co-founder of European Jews for Palestine.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

I spent 10 days in the West Bank, watching the impunity of Israeli settlers

In August, I spent ten days in the West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories. Here is some of what I saw and heard there during my visit.

euobserver.com

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Reposted by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) @corporateeurope.org · 27d

We're very excited to join @journalismarena.eu conference in Budapest in exactly one month to discuss the EU's #deregulation agenda. We'll be joined in the same pannel by @elenasanchez.bsky.social and @jelena-prtoric.bsky.social !

More info:
📅 climatearena2025.sched.com
🎟️ climatearena.eu/register/

Promotional graphic for the Climate Arena Conference taking place on 10–11 October in Budapest. The session is titled "The Quiet Undoing in the EU: Making Sense of the Commission’s Mass Deregulation Agenda." Four speakers are featured with circular headshots and their names and roles:

Elena Sanchez Nicolas – Journalist, EUObserver

Hans Van Scharen – Researcher and campaigner, Corporate Europe Observatory

Marcella Via – Press Officer, Corporate Europe Observatory

Jelena Prtoric – Journalist, Arena for Journalism in Europe

The graphic features a green-to-orange gradient background with the event website (climatearena.eu) and the hashtag #CA25. The tagline reads: "Investigating the climate crisis together."

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Aug 1

I sat down with former EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, who described Europe’s proposal to cut Israel from Horizon as a “bad joke” in response to the atrocities unfolding in Gaza.

“Is that really all they can think to do, with what’s happening?”
Borrell asked.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

EU's Horizon-suspension sanction for Israel 'a bad joke', says Borrell

Suspending Israel's access to the bloc’s Horizon research programme is a “bad joke” in the face of the atrocities unfolding in Gaza, the EU's former chief diplomat Josep Borrell told EUobserver during...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jul 18

I got an EU internal document that outlines the toothless nature of a Gaza aid "understanding" between the EU and Israel: non-binding, ambiguous, and difficult to monitor.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

EU document shows flimsy nature of Israel aid deal

A leaked EU document outlines the toothless nature of a Gaza aid "understanding" between the EU and Israel: non-binding, ambiguous, and difficult to monitor.

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 24

As Nato leaders gather in The Hague this week, attention turns to the proposal to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP (more than double the 2% benchmark).

Our explainer covers:

🧩 5% target explained
🇪🇸 Spain’s stance
💰 Defence vs welfare
📉 Who’s falling behind
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Defence vs welfare: what’s at stake in Nato’s new 5% spending target?

Nato allies are expected to agree to raise defence spending target to five percent of GDP at the Hague summit. But previous broken promises and Spain’s reluctance highlight growing tensions between mi...

euobserver.com

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Reposted by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

euobserver — EU news that matters @euobserver.com · Jun 20

Spain is in political turmoil.

But why?

In this explainer, editor-in-chief @elenasanchez.bsky.social explains:

🔹 What happened
🔹 Who is involved
🔹 Why it matters

Catch up here: euobserver.com/rule-of-law/...

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 6

“It is genocide. I know people are uncomfortable with that word, but what else can we call it?,” Francesca Albanese told @euobserver.com

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Francesca Albanese: 'EU officials must face charges of complicity in war crimes'

At the Cannes Film Festival, the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, speaks with EUobserver about the genocide in Gaza, and global comp...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 5

Neither the EEAS nor the Israeli EU embassy would confirm today if Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar would come for a meeting in Brussels on 23 June. But the fact he was invited despite escalating Israeli aggression in Gaza already attracted criticism

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Israeli ministers still welcome in EU, despite sanctions talks

High-level Israeli visits to the EU capital are becoming more toxic, as ministers prepare first-ever trade sanctions over Gaza "war crimes".

euobserver.com

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Reposted by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

Honor Mahony @honormahony.bsky.social · May 23

Ombudswoman Anjinho in an interesting discussion today with journalists at the dataharvest conference on the role of @ombudsman.europa.eu, the importance of rules on access to EU documents, and on having a culture of integrity in public administrations

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 5

We leaked it, we studied it, and we made it free to read.
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Leak of EU's full 2024 Gaza report piles pressure on Israel

The leak of an internal EU paper from 2024 spelling out Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza will make it harder to claim Tel Aviv merits keeping free trade perks.

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 5

Times are changing. As special trade benefits granted to Ukrainian farmers following Russia's 2022 invasion are set to expire today (5 June), Ukrainian experts question the EU’s decision — while the country's farming unions predict potential losses of up to €1.5bn.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

The political calculus behind the EU's shift on Ukraine agri-imports

Trade benefits, which suspended tariffs and quotas on Ukrainian agri-food exports to support the cash-strapped Ukrainian economy after the Russian invasion in 2022, will not be renewed for the third t...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · Jun 3

A majority of EU countries urged the commission to review the EU-Israel trade agreement over concerns about human rights violations. But a human rights unit within the EEAS had already conducted an audit in November 2024. We got the leak and made it public.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

Leak of EU's full 2024 Gaza report piles pressure on Israel

The leak of an internal EU paper from 2024 spelling out Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza will make it harder to claim Tel Aviv merits keeping free trade perks.

euobserver.com

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Reposted by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

euobserver — EU news that matters @euobserver.com · May 20

Hungary’s government now smears and attacks its own journalists, starves their newspapers and TV stations of income, whilst happy to bask in the power and resources of being a member of the 27-strong bloc. For how much longer can Hungary’s journalists fight back?

Hungary’s independent media — ‘A battle of the wills, but worth the struggle’

Authoritarian leaders don’t appreciate a free and independent media investigating their affairs. But, previously, that has only been a problem outside the EU’s borders. Hungary’s government now smears...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 19

“There can be no trust in the future [between Ukrainians and Russians]...because of the widespread support by ordinary Russians for unprovoked aggression and mass crimes against humanity,” said Yuliia Paievska a combat medic saving lives on both sides for over 10 years
euobserver.com/the-eus-unsu...

Yuliia Paievska — 'We don't fight against the wounded'

A Ukrainian nurse and martial arts expert, who has treated both the fallen of her own country — and that of its enemy.

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 19

“Democracy isn’t only when you turn up and vote. It’s also in the role of social dialogue,” said @estherlynch.bsky.social

euobserver.com/the-eus-unsu...

Esther Lynch — A shy but unwavering force for Europe’s workers

Esther Lynch, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), has spent a lifetime standing up for the rights of workers across Europe. Quietly forceful and deeply committed, she s...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 19

"In an era where the loudest often dominate, we wanted to use this magazine to tell a different story, helping to fill what we’ve come to call ‘the recognition gap.’"

euobserver.com/the-eus-unsu...

EUobserver's new magazine — Closing the recognition gap

Today, we’re releasing our latest magazine. A must-read for anyone who believes democracy thrives when every voice is heard.

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 15

Here are EUobserver’s key takeaways on Pfizergate. The controversy surrounding vaccine deal texts, transparency, and accountability at the highest level of the EU.

euobserver.com/rule-of-law/...

Pfizergate takeaways — a legal victory, and a win for transparency

An EU court ruled that the European Commission wrongly denied access to text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO, reinforcing the need for transparency in high-level communications....

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 15

“In an era where the loudest often dominate, we wanted to use this magazine to tell a different story, helping to fill what we’ve come to call ‘the recognition gap,’" reads my intro.

We’ll be emailing the magazine on Friday to all newsletter subscribers.

join.euobserver.com

Support EUobserver

2,500 new supporting members who care about the future of a clear-eyed, independent view on EU affairs. We won't lie: EU democracy is not dependent on journalism, but on a well-informed public. ...

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 15

This Friday (16 May), we’re releasing our latest magazine!

When I first suggested we focus this issue on people instead of events, the team was all in, and honestly, the end result makes me really proud.

It’s full of stories that deserve to be seen. Hope you’ll like it.

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 9

Happy Europe day! We have delved into our 25-year archive to compile a list of our nerdiest (and most revealing) stories about how the EU really works.

Do you have ideas for other types of articles like these? Let us know what you'd like to see more of in comments 💡🇪🇺

euobserver.com/eu-political...

On Europe day, meet the inner workings of the EU

From EU nerds to EU nerds, with love.

euobserver.com

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Reposted by Elena Sánchez Nicolás

Sira Rego @sirarego.bsky.social · May 8

Parar toda compra de armas a Israel es una cuestión de coherencia democrática.

Hoy hablo de ello con @elenasanchez.bsky.social en @euobserver.com

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

The Spanish minister behind the push to halt arms deals with Israel

Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition. She is de...

euobserver.com

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Elena Sánchez Nicolás @elenasanchez.bsky.social · May 8

Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

The Spanish minister behind the push to halt arms deals with Israel

Meet Spain's minister for youth Sira Rego — a former MEP of Palestinian descent. Rego has criticised Spain’s arms trade with Israel, exposing tensions inside the Pedro Sánchez-led coalition. She is de...

euobserver.com

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