Competition and Industrial Policy
![Belgian bankruptcy dents Europe’s microchip dreams](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13/GettyImages-1485437147.jpg)
Belgian bankruptcy dents Europe’s microchip dreams
Concerns about Chinese ownership impacted government’s thinking to keep microchips factory afloat.
![Huge lithium-mining protest triggers crisis meeting in Serbia](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=315,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/11/Serbia-protest-scaled.jpg)
Huge lithium-mining protest triggers crisis meeting in Serbia
![Sun, sand and strikes: Italy’s beach clubs shut down to protest EU law](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/09/GettyImages-1234392188-scaled.jpg)
Sun, sand and strikes: Italy’s beach clubs shut down to protest EU law
![Teresa Ribera faces nuclear hurdle to running EU green policy](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/02/GettyImages-969633638-scaled.jpg)
Teresa Ribera faces nuclear hurdle to running EU green policy
![US Justice Department, states win Google search antitrust case](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/05/GettyImages-1919905342-scaled.jpg)
US Justice Department, states win Google search antitrust case
![After a whirlwind 5 years, Breton’s back for more](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01/GettyImages-2154989489-scaled.jpg)
After a whirlwind 5 years, Breton’s back for more
![Emmanuel Macron nominates Thierry Breton for another term at European Commission](https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=480,height=320,quality=80,onerror=redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/30/11547476-scaled.jpg)
Emmanuel Macron nominates Thierry Breton for another term at European Commission
Breton’s tweeting would backfire as competition chief, top US economist says
Thoughtless tweets cost competition cases, warns economist Fiona Scott Morton, whose EU job hopes were dashed by French lobbying.
Italy’s Meloni vows to ‘relaunch’ relations with China
Visit demonstrates “the will to start a new phase,” says Meloni, after Rome decided to quit Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative.
No, the EV isn’t dead — just briefly comatose
Despite gloomy stories about the collapse in sales of electric vehicles, what’s really happening on the markets is more of a pause than a retreat.
Is Brexit Britain about to turn into Switzerland — without the fondue?
As the U.K. and the EU enter a new era, their relationship is likely to gradually become more Swiss.
The 11 MEPs who actually matter
Here are the EU lawmakers to keep your eye on in the new term.
Yellen says $3T of fresh capital is needed annually to fight climate change
The Treasury secretary called the shift to a low-carbon global economy “the single greatest opportunity of the 21st century.”
Slovakia proposes ‘technical solution’ to unblock Russian oil supplies
Slovakia and Hungary have criticized Ukraine for halting Lukoil’s supplies.
EU’s first application for cultivated meat is for French foie gras
Paris startup Gourmey wants Europeans munching cell-grown pâté by 2026.
EU takes Germany and Italy to court over migrant worker ‘discrimination’
Commission cites “fundamental” EU principle that “people are treated equally without any distinction based on nationality.”
Macron meets Musk, world’s top executives amid political turmoil and Olympics
French president will use the occasion to pursue his charm offensive among foreign investors.
A call for clarity
Who will be the next European commissioners?
What we know so far about Ursula von der Leyen’s next top team.
Commission: Our hands are tied on press freedom, but not for long
EU’s rule of law report points to failings in Hungary, Slovakia, Italy and France.
EU ‘ready’ to negotiate as Hungary-Ukraine oil row boils over
The European Commission also said it doesn’t see any ‘immediate’ oil supply risks after Ukraine partially banned Russian oil exports to Europe.
Football bosses ask EU to intervene in FIFA’s new match schedule
Football players and leagues filed a complaint with the European Commission to try to rein in football’s governing body.
Hungary demands EU action against Ukraine as Russian oil spat escalates
Budapest argues it’s facing an energy crunch after Kyiv imposed a partial ban on Moscow’s oil transiting the country.
Hungary facing fuel crisis as Ukraine turns up heat on Russian oil supplies
Sky-high prices and electricity shortages could hit Hungarians within “weeks” after Kyiv imposed a partial ban on Russian oil passing through its territory.
Microsoft signs antitrust truce with OVHcloud
With a second cloud pact in weeks, Microsoft has definitely mitigated the threat of an EU probe — for now.
Von der Leyen is in! Let the fighting over the next European Commission begin.
EU leaders will fight back against “too powerful” von der Leyen as she assembles her team.
ECB leaves rates unchanged, keeps door open to September cut
Lagarde shrugs off sticky inflation but takes a gloomier view of the economy.
Von der Leyen bets big on housing
Commission president vows to free up cash for affordable homes and create the bloc’s first-ever housing commissioner.
To do: 6 thorny issues lurking in MEPs’ inboxes
From creating an EU-wide money market to protecting kids online, POLITICO looks at what lies ahead for lawmakers.
Germany isolated as EU countries tilt toward duties on Chinese EVs
Ten countries voted in favor, four against and 11 abstained in non-binding vote, diplomats say.
Germany’s Scholz set for rare meeting with Serbia’s isolated Vučić to finalize lithium deal
European Commission to also attend signature in Belgrade on Friday