European Institutions

EU Rules Require Noise Emitters on All Electric Cars

July 02, 2019

The BBC reports that new EU rules have entered into force requiring that electric cars introduced into the bloc include a noise-emitting device that sounds like a traditional engine to reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians who cannot hear approaching vehicles.
ECtHR: Drunk-Driving Test with Catheter Violated Rights

July 02, 2019

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has held that Hungarian police officers’ use of a catheter to extract and test urine of a man suspected of driving while intoxicated - arguably without his consent and after the officers had taken his blood sample - violated the man’s right against inhuman or degrading treatment.
ECtHR: Continuous Surveillance Violated Russian Prisoners’ Rights

July 02, 2019

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has held that permanent video surveillance by Russian prisons of various prisoners in their cells without any procedural limits on prison authorities violated the prisoners’ right to “respect for private life.”
EC Sets out Conditions for Irish Backstop Alternative

July 01, 2019

RTE reports that European Commission (EC) officials have set out five conditions for any “alternative arrangements” that could prevent the controversial Irish border backstop from coming into force in a Brexit deal, including no “hard border,” compliance with trade rules, and equal treatment across EU member states.
EU Party Group Calls for Transnational Election Lists

July 01, 2019

Politico reports that the head of Renew Europe, the EU party group that includes the national party of French President Emmanuel Macron, has called on EU institutions to allow transnational candidate lists in the next European parliamentary elections, a move that would reduce the influence of national parties in EU campaigns.