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The European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday approved the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada. Legislation that will facilitate trade between the two entities is likely to take effect within a short period of time. The EU has resisted populist trends for the first time in a long while, some commentators write in delight. Others fear that Ceta will only boost populism.

The scandal over alleged connections between Trump and Russia is growing. Former national security advisor Michael Flynn has had to resign for reportedly talking with the Russian ambassador about lifting the sanctions against Russia before taking office and then lying about the discussions. And according to media reports Trump's campaign team was in regular contact with Russian intelligence agencies. What do these accusations mean for Trump's presidency?

Police in Germany have carried out searches at the homes of four imams who are members of the Turkish-Islam Union in Germany (Ditib) on suspicions that they were spying on supporters of the Gülen movement and passing on the information to the Turkish Consulate General. Europe must not stand by and watch as democracy is dismantled in Turkey and must take a tougher line with the Ankara-controlled organisation, commentators demand.

The Greek authorities have rejected a request by Italian fashion brand Gucci to hold a fashion show at the Acropolis on the grounds that the cultural character of the Acropolis monuments was inconsistent with such an event. Both Greek and Italian media are outraged by the decision.

The campaign for the referendum on April 16 is under way in Turkey. The parliament in Ankara gave the green light in mid-January for a constitutional amendment that could see the introduction of a presidential system in Turkey. With the help of votes from the far-right MHP, the ruling AKP achieved the majority it needed to hold a referendum on the reform. What would a presidential system mean for Turkey?

Séance plénière : Au lendemain de l’approbation par le Parlement européen de l’accord économique et commercial global entre l’Union européenne et le Canada, le Premier ministre Justin Trudeau s’est rendu à Strasbourg ce jeudi 16 février. « Il ne s’agit pas uniquement de commerce, d’importations et d’exportations, de profits : il s’agit d’améliorer la vie des gens », a-t-il déclaré au sujet du CETA. C’est la première fois qu’un Premier ministre canadien s’adresse aux députés européens.

Source : © Union européenne, 2017 - PE