Results for: European Parliament

Research presented in Brussels ahead of a European Parliament vote on air pollution guidance revealed that cities with low emissions zones have cleaner air than those without. The findings highlighted the effectiveness of such zones in reducing air pollutants such as black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. Notably, more deprived neighborhoods benefited from a faster decrease in air pollution after implementing low-emission zones. However, concerns remain as a majority of Belgians are still exposed to air pollution levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

The European Parliament is reeling from fresh allegations of espionage, with members expressing shock and anger over the arrest of an assistant to an MEP accused of working for the Chinese secret service. This incident follows revelations of a separate scandal involving payments from a pro-Russian interference network to several lawmakers. The Parliament’s president is willing to waive immunity for those under suspicion but has called for more information from law enforcement. Amidst these allegations, members have called for an internal probe and condemned the alleged foreign interference.

A staffer working for a German Member of the European Parliament (MEP) has been arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of espionage for China. The accused, identified as Jian G., was detained in Dresden. The identity of the MEP remains undisclosed, but Der Spiegel magazine has linked the suspect to Maximilian Krah of the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The suspect allegedly worked with Krah since 2019 and resided in both Brussels and Dresden. The accused is scheduled to appear before a judge at Germany’s Federal Court of Justice, where a decision will be made on an arrest warrant and pre-trial detention. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has labeled the allegations as ‘extremely serious,’ asserting that such acts are an assault on European democracy. The AfD party has expressed concern, calling for patience in the ongoing investigation. The arrest comes amidst heightened scrutiny of espionage activities and follows the detention of three German nationals for alleged collaboration with China’s MSS.

A man working for a German lawmaker in the European Parliament has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The suspect, identified as Jian G., was arrested in Dresden on Monday. German authorities did not specify which lawmaker he worked for, but the magazine Der Spiegel reported that he is an employee of Maximilian Krah of the Alternative for Germany party.

The European Parliament’s final plenary session of the legislative term will be held this week in Strasbourg. MEPs will vote on key files, including a proposal to simplify bureaucratic burdens for farmers and a resolution on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Two former Italian prime ministers delivered messages in Brussels last week, highlighting topics of the single market and competitiveness.