Europäische Union

An attempt to reintroduce a water charge in Ireland failed 18 months after its implementation in 2015. Election results were decisive in the abolition of previously implemented water charges by voting for anti-water charge parties. We conducted a systematic archive study to analyse how a lack of legitimacy and subsequent public resistance were embedded in a history of organised public demonstrations and boycotts. We show how a historic lack of legitimacy has exacerbated failures in policy programme, process, and activities. We argue that this historic context may also explain why the water charges stood out as the most contested policy in a period when many austerity measures were taken. This case serves as an example of policy failure resulting from a lack of legitimacy and a subsequent policy resistance. It serves as a warning that if public resistance can be expected, a policy without broad political support and a clear contingency strategy to mitigate public resistance is likely to fail. In particular, when there is a historic lack of legitimacy, greater effort is required to avoid policy failure and achieve successful implementation.

EU rallies behind Breton as US sanctions test transatlantic ties

In today's edition: Mercosur, budget, pesticides

ÄNDERUNGSANTRÄGE 50 - 188 - Entwurf einer Stellungnahme Bericht der Kommission über die Rechtsstaatlichkeit 2025 – Jahresbericht 2025
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Adrián Vázquez Lázara

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Tuesday 20 January

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Un mystérieux journaliste nommé « Endri Kajsiu » fait couler de l'encre en Albanie. Mais qui se cache derrière ce pseudonyme qui défend les positions du gouvernement dans de nombreux éditoriaux ?

- Le fil de l'Info / BIRN, Médias indépendants, Albanie, Médias, Une - Diaporama

Remarks by Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis on Bulgaria’s euro adoption, the Eurogroup’s work on euro area priorities, global economic challenges discussed at G7 level, and the endorsement on a candidate for ECB Vice-President.

Information about accreditation requirements for the Informal meeting of the members of the European Council taking place in Brussels on 22 January 2026

Mit der Renovierung des Paul-Henri-Spaak-Gebäudes in Brüssel bringt das Europäische Parlament das Gebäude auf den neuesten Stand in Bezug auf Umwelt, Sicherheit und technische Ausstattung.

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

President Metsola on opening the January plenary session: “EU supports Denmark and the people of Greenland and we do so united in our resolve”.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU – Commission for the financial year 2024
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Evin Incir

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

OPINION on 2024 discharge: General budget of the EU - European External Action Service
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Evin Incir

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Monday 19 January

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 19 - 22 January plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

L'attaquant sénégalais Sadio Mané est une nouvelle fois le héros, mais cette fois-ci pour des raisons inattendues.

Rapporteur René Repasi (S&D, DE) will brief journalists on 20 January at 15.00 on Parliament’s proposal for a new legal framework to support EU innovation and competitiveness.
Committee on Legal Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The President of the European Council, António Costa, issued a statement on Greenland.

President of the European Council, António Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a joint statement on Greenland.

El 17 de enero de 2026, el presidente António Costa viajó a Asunción (Paraguay) para asistir a la ceremonia de firma de los acuerdos UE-Mercosur, donde pronunció un discurso.