Tech – Open-source software has been put forward as the potential remedy to the European Commission's dependency on Microsoft, but with the EU executive sceptical of there being any credible alternative, Euractiv decided to take a closer look.
Energy – The World Economic Forum (WEF) is compensating political, business, academic, and celebrity elites who travel to next week's Davos summit by low-emission rail, but delegates seem happier to stick with their private jets to go to Switzerland.
Economy – Billionaire Elon Musk’s staunch opposition to unions and his growing influence among European business leaders pose a serious threat to EU workers and the bloc’s wider economy, the head of Europe’s largest trade union organisation warned.
EU Parliament – The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Thursday endorsed Bruno Gencarelli for a five-year term as the Union’s privacy watchdog.
Across Europe
Italy – Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration boasts a thin European guest list, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the only head of state personally invited.
Bulgaria – After four years of failing to form a viable government and repeated snap elections, Bulgaria is on the verge of having a cabinet, although last-minute surprises are always on the horizon.
Hungary – The European Commission endorsed Hungary's plan to comply with the Union's budget rules on Thursday, marking a slight easing of tensions in Budapest and Brussels' fractious relationship – at least for now.
Denmark – US President-elect Donald Trump did not withdraw his previous threat of targeted tariffs on Danish goods in a phone call with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as his desire for control of Greenland shows no sign of abating.
