EU to impose VAT on Airbnb, Uber, and Bolt from 2030
The EU mandates that online platforms like Airbnb, Uber, and Bolt collect VAT on lodging and ride-hailing services from 2030, aiming for tax equality with traditional businesses, potentially increasing prices up to 25%, but creating challenges for online platforms.
EU to impose VAT on Airbnb, Uber, and Bolt from 2030
The EU mandates that online platforms like Airbnb, Uber, and Bolt collect VAT on lodging and ride-hailing services from 2030, aiming for tax equality with traditional businesses, potentially increasing prices up to 25%, but creating challenges for online platforms.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Andalusia Launches New Law to Boost Science and Innovation
The Andalusian government approved a new law to promote science, technology, and innovation, including tax incentives for companies investing in R&D, researcher mobility programs, a European Research Coordination Office, and a new Andalusian System of Excellence Research (Saiex).
Andalusia Launches New Law to Boost Science and Innovation
The Andalusian government approved a new law to promote science, technology, and innovation, including tax incentives for companies investing in R&D, researcher mobility programs, a European Research Coordination Office, and a new Andalusian System of Excellence Research (Saiex).
Progress
44% Bias Score
Georgia: 43 Hospitalized Amid Violent Protests Over Suspended EU Talks
Following a disputed election and the government's suspension of EU membership talks, at least 43 people were hospitalized during four nights of violent protests in Tbilisi, Georgia, with the President accusing Russia of electoral interference.
Georgia: 43 Hospitalized Amid Violent Protests Over Suspended EU Talks
Following a disputed election and the government's suspension of EU membership talks, at least 43 people were hospitalized during four nights of violent protests in Tbilisi, Georgia, with the President accusing Russia of electoral interference.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Poland, Netherlands Seek to Ease EU Rules on Non-EU Defense Spending
Poland and the Netherlands proposed loosening EU rules for the €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to fast-track non-EU defense purchases, particularly for supporting Ukraine, potentially allowing EDIP funds for producing non-EU weapons in Europe.
Poland, Netherlands Seek to Ease EU Rules on Non-EU Defense Spending
Poland and the Netherlands proposed loosening EU rules for the €1.5 billion European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to fast-track non-EU defense purchases, particularly for supporting Ukraine, potentially allowing EDIP funds for producing non-EU weapons in Europe.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Eurozone and UK Manufacturing Slump in November 2024
November 2024 saw a sharp decline in manufacturing demand across the Eurozone and UK, with PMIs falling below 50, indicating contraction; factors include Brexit border issues, increased labor costs, and weakened global demand.
Eurozone and UK Manufacturing Slump in November 2024
November 2024 saw a sharp decline in manufacturing demand across the Eurozone and UK, with PMIs falling below 50, indicating contraction; factors include Brexit border issues, increased labor costs, and weakened global demand.
Progress
48% Bias Score
French Government Uses Article 49.3 to Pass Austerity Budget, Facing No-Confidence Vote
France's government is using Article 49.3 to pass a budget featuring €20bn in tax increases and €40bn in spending cuts without parliamentary approval, prompting no-confidence votes from the left and far-right and potentially causing financial instability.
French Government Uses Article 49.3 to Pass Austerity Budget, Facing No-Confidence Vote
France's government is using Article 49.3 to pass a budget featuring €20bn in tax increases and €40bn in spending cuts without parliamentary approval, prompting no-confidence votes from the left and far-right and potentially causing financial instability.
Progress
32% Bias Score
France Faces Larger-Than-Expected Budget Deficit in 2024
Failure to reduce France's 2024 public deficit below 5% of GDP, potentially reaching 5.3%, risks slower economic growth, increased local taxes, and reduced investor confidence, despite some mitigation from the European Central Bank.
France Faces Larger-Than-Expected Budget Deficit in 2024
Failure to reduce France's 2024 public deficit below 5% of GDP, potentially reaching 5.3%, risks slower economic growth, increased local taxes, and reduced investor confidence, despite some mitigation from the European Central Bank.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Ireland Faces Highest Housing Costs in EU, Double the Average
In 2023, Ireland had the highest housing costs in the EU, double the average, while Bulgaria and Poland had the lowest, highlighting significant economic disparities across member states.
Ireland Faces Highest Housing Costs in EU, Double the Average
In 2023, Ireland had the highest housing costs in the EU, double the average, while Bulgaria and Poland had the lowest, highlighting significant economic disparities across member states.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Ribera Appointed as EU Executive Vice-President for Green Transition
After five months of negotiations, including a two-week blockage by the EPP, Teresa Ribera became the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Green Transition, combining environmental and competition policy, granting Spain significant influence over EU industrial policy and state aid.
Ribera Appointed as EU Executive Vice-President for Green Transition
After five months of negotiations, including a two-week blockage by the EPP, Teresa Ribera became the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Green Transition, combining environmental and competition policy, granting Spain significant influence over EU industrial policy and state aid.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Ukraine's EU Accession Talks: First Cluster Opening Expected in April-May 2025
EU Commissioner Marta Kos announced the potential opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine's EU accession in April-May 2025, following a screening process and significant Ukrainian reforms during wartime; the first cluster will open first and close last, with the overall timeline depende...
Ukraine's EU Accession Talks: First Cluster Opening Expected in April-May 2025
EU Commissioner Marta Kos announced the potential opening of the first negotiating cluster for Ukraine's EU accession in April-May 2025, following a screening process and significant Ukrainian reforms during wartime; the first cluster will open first and close last, with the overall timeline depende...
Progress
28% Bias Score
EU Prioritizes Sustainable Technology and Industrial Competitiveness
The EU unveiled its work program, focusing on sustainable technology, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness through initiatives like the Clean Industrial Deal, including an Action Plan on Affordable Energy and a European Competitiveness Fund, aiming to boost industrial policy and address energy se...
EU Prioritizes Sustainable Technology and Industrial Competitiveness
The EU unveiled its work program, focusing on sustainable technology, strategic autonomy, and competitiveness through initiatives like the Clean Industrial Deal, including an Action Plan on Affordable Energy and a European Competitiveness Fund, aiming to boost industrial policy and address energy se...
Progress
28% Bias Score
Spain to Veto Hungary's Traineeship Directive
Spain will veto Hungary's proposed EU directive on traineeships, deeming it detrimental to worker rights, and will seek a blocking minority to prevent its adoption; the proposal lacks specifics on training quality, hours, and type compared to Spain's national regulations.
Spain to Veto Hungary's Traineeship Directive
Spain will veto Hungary's proposed EU directive on traineeships, deeming it detrimental to worker rights, and will seek a blocking minority to prevent its adoption; the proposal lacks specifics on training quality, hours, and type compared to Spain's national regulations.
Progress
44% Bias Score