Good morning from Sofia,

BERLIN

Berlin moves ahead with fast-tracking deportations. A controversial bill to accelerate the deportation of rejected asylum seekers was agreed upon by the German government on Tuesday, with members of the coalition speaking out against the move. Read more.

Tunisia migration deal part of right-wing strategy to attract voters says leading German MEP. Ursula von der Leyen “rushed through” a deal with Tunisia to simulate action amid pressure to curb migration, Katarina Barley, lead candidate for Germany’s ruling Social Democrats (SPD/S&D) at next June’s European elections, has told Euractiv. Read more.

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PARIS

Von der Leyen responds to EU staff letter on Israel stance. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has defended herself against accusations of bias by stressing that the EU was working for the safety of civilians “of all faiths and nationalities”, according to an internal memo seen by Euractiv. Read more.

France increases medical aid for Gaza. At least a plane and a ship will be sent to provide medical aid and support hospitals in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday afternoon, rejecting accusations of a ‘double standard’ between the response for Israelis and the Palestinians. Read more.

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THE HAGUE

Dutch Labour, Green parties threaten to revoke EU – Israel trade agreement support. The Labour (PvdA/S&D) and Green (GL/Greens-EFA) parties voiced their sympathy for a parliamentary motion calling to revoke Dutch support for the EU’s Association Agreement with Israel on Wednesday, demanding a ceasefire in exchange for maintaining support. Read more.

ATHENS

A new poll published on Wednesday showed people’s growing discontent with the conservative Greek government just four months after its re-election, however, the leftist opposition Syriza party cannot capitalise on it amid an ongoing civil war in its ranks. Read more.

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LISBON

Portuguese finance minister warns of dangers of eastward enlargement of EU. The eastward enlargement of the EU will be a challenge for Portugal, especially because of the potential changes it will have on cohesion funds, Finance Minister Fernando Medina said at a conference in Lisbon on Wednesday. Read more.

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ROME

Salvini condemns Erdogan for ‘justifying attacks’ by Hamas. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Hamas a liberation group fighting to protect their land and freedom, which Vice-Premier and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini (League/ID) called ‘disgusting’ on Wednesday, adding that these words will not help de-escalate the conflict. Read more.

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MADRID

Spain collects €3 billion in ‘solidarity taxes’ on banks, large energy companies. Madrid’s solidarity taxes on financial institutions and large energy companies that were implemented last year to mitigate the impact of the post-COVID-19 economic crisis has raised over €2.9 billion, €400 million more than initially planned, Finance Minister María Jesús Montero reported on Wednesday. Read more.

WARSAW

The clock is ticking for Poland to unblock its Recovery and Resilience Facility funds and must use all possible methods – whether standard or not – to do so, Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk told EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Wednesday. Read more.

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PRAGUE

Fiala to push EU Council to support Israel’s right to self-defence, condemn Hamas. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) will push the European Council to confirm its unequivocal support for Israel and its right to self-defence and condemn Hamas as a terrorist organisation at the European Council summit this week. Read more.

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BRATISLAVA

Fico to meet with leaders at EUCO. Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government was formed just in time for him to attend the European Council summit, which will focus on the unfolding situation in the Middle East, on which he refuses to ‘tolerate plans to raze Gaza to the ground’, the war in Ukraine and migration. Read more.

BUCHAREST

Bucharest Court of Appeal rules former president Iliescu will stand trial in 1990 Revolution case. The Bucharest Court of Appeal ordered on Wednesday the start of the trial of the Revolution case, in which former president Ion Iliescu and two other former officials were accused of committing crimes against humanity, on Wednesday. Read more.

• EU: European Council convenes to discuss unfolding situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine, mid-term revision of EU long-term budget, and more;
• Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Parliament President Roberta Metsola participate in EPP Summit;
• Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič participates via video conference in high level Just Transition event organised by the Spanish Presidency;
• Vice President Margaritis Schinas on official visit to Sao Paolo, Brazil;
• Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra hosts Foreign Affairs Minister of Costa Rica Arnoldo Andre Tinoco;
• Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič hosts United Kingdom Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell;
• Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova meets Chair of the Board of Directors of European Innovation Council Fund Svetoslava Georgieva;
• ECB holds press conference on eurozone monetary policy;
• Belarus: Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov visits;
• UN: General Assembly meets to discuss war between Israel and Hamas;

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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Zoran Radosavljevic, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson]