Unitary patent

EC: Bulgaria will have to Comply with the Istanbul Convention, even if it has Not Ratified it

Bulgaria will have to comply with the Istanbul Convention, even if it has not ratified it, if it is approved by the EU Council, according to the European Commission.

The European Parliament is expected to approve its ratification at its plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Hefty fines from EU Court in LARCO case

The Court of Justice of the European Union (WEU) weighed in heavily for the LARCO case. According to today's decision, Greece is obliged to pay a lump sum of 5.5 million euros and a fine of more than 4 million euros per half-year of delay, because it did not recover the state aid of 160 million euros granted to the nickel industry.

The history

Democracy Digest: Hungary and Poland Suffer Setback in Battle over EU Funds

The targets of this tool are, of course, the illiberal governments of Central Europe, with European institutions gradually losing patience with the blatant attempts by the nationalist-populist Hungarian and Polish governing parties to undermine the fundamental values upon which the EU is based.

Germany Introduces Road Toll of up to EUR 130 for Foreign Drivers

Germany has introduced a road toll which requires foreign car drivers to pay up to EUR 130 a year for using the country's motorways.

The new fee, which will is scheduled to take effect in 2016, aims to secure funds for the maintenance of transport infrastructure, according to reports of EurActiv.