Migration –In a letter to member states on Tuesday (December 17), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined her operational and legislative migration agenda with a focus on returns and “innovative solutions” to tackle challenges at the EU level.
Tech – The European Commission sent official warnings on Monday (16 December) against several EU member states for failing to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Agriculture – The European Commission should "reflect" on whether and how to use the EU's agricultural policy budget to finance vine grubbing-up schemes, the final report of the High-Level Group on wine stated.
Health – The main vaccine manufacturers will present their vaccine strategy to the Technical Committee for Vaccinations (CTV) at the offices of the French national health authority HAS in Paris on Tuesday (17 December).
Defence – Almost €2 billion in profits from frozen Russian sovereign assets will be spent by the EU on purchases from the Ukrainian defence industry, as well as on ammo, missiles and air defence for Ukraine, according to an internal document read by Euractiv.
Around Europe
France – New French Prime Minister François Bayrou must navigate a heavily fragmented political scene and look to build consensus to avoid yet another government collapse – but the risks are real he suffers the same fate as his predecessor.
Portugal – The European Commission launched infringement proceedings against Portugal on Monday over "discriminatory rules" allowing only residents free access to museums, monuments and palaces 52 days a year.
Spain – Tens of thousands of Spanish farmers protested in Madrid on Monday, expressing their rejection of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which they say creates unfair competition between the two trading blocs.
Italy – The MFE-MediaForEurope group, owned by Silvio Berlusconi's family, has secured €3.4 billion in funding for potential acquisitions across Europe, with rumours of a possible sale of top private broadcaster TVN in Poland.
