The man behind the EU’s Kremlin outreach
Pedro Lourtie, head of cabinet for European Council President António Costa, has been in the spotlight for opening backchannels with Moscow. Meanwhile, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola pushes for another vote on a child sexual abuse bill, and investigators obtain a document on a Hungarian spy ring in Brussels.
Pedro Lourtie and Kremlin contacts
Pedro Lourtie, the right-hand man of European Council President António Costa, recently came under scrutiny for establishing backchannel communications with Moscow. As Costa’s head of cabinet, Lourtie conducted these contacts on behalf of his boss. A deeper look into his role and methods was featured in a recent episode.
Metsola seeks revote on child abuse bill
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is urging lawmakers to vote again on legislation aimed at combating child sexual abuse material. The bill was rejected by MEPs in March, but Metsola is invoking a rarely used EU procedure to call for a fresh vote.
Hungarian spy ring allegations in Brussels
Last year, allegations emerged that a Hungarian spy ring was operating out of the country’s embassy in Brussels. Investigators have now obtained a document related to the case, shedding more light on the suspicions.
