Max Griera
maxgriera.bsky.social
Max Griera
@maxgriera.bsky.social
EU politics reporter at POLITICO

📨[email protected]
Reposted by Max Griera
Von der Leyen's new three-step strategy for convincing opponents to back her underscores a more cooperative tone and a willingness to engage rather than confront.
Read more in this story with @maxgriera.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/ursu...
Von der Leyen hopes her caring, sharing side will win round critics
The European Commission president faces another set of no-confidence votes on Thursday. She hopes that by listening more, she’ll bolster her support.
www.politico.eu
October 7, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
More than 70 MEPs will attend Budapest Pride on Saturday, despite the 🇭🇺 govt's claim that the event is illegal.
However, organizers found a legal loophole, rendering PM Viktor Orbán's efforts to ban the LGBTQ event ineffective. Read here w/ @maxgriera.bsky.social : www.politico.eu/article/orba...
Orbán vs. von der Leyen: Budapest Pride takes center stage in Europe’s culture war
Dozens of prominent European politicians are heading to Hungary for Pride, but the country’s conservative government insists the parade is illegal.
www.politico.eu
June 27, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
🚨NEW: the European Parliament will set up a working group to probe EU-funded NGOs, in move that saw the EPP side once again with the right-wing and far-right groups.

W/ @maxgriera.bsky.social

www.politico.eu/article/eu-p...
EU Parliament creates official body to probe NGO funding
It’s the latest of a series of moves by right-wing forces to increase scrutiny of nonprofits.
www.politico.eu
June 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
⚽️Huawei corruption scandal:
- Belgian authorities bugged VIP corporate box at Anderlecht football stadium held by Huawei
- Box was used to make first contact and “grease” MEPs
- Club spox said they have “no intention” to renew contract with Huawei

Read more👇

www.politico.eu/article/belg...
Belgium bugged Anderlecht football stadium to spy on Huawei MEP lobbying
Dramatic revelations shed fresh light on investigation into whether Chinese tech firm tried to buy influence in EU politics.
www.politico.eu
May 23, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
Belgian security agents bugged a corporate box at the RSC Anderlecht football stadium that was being used by Chinese tech giant Huawei to schmooze members of the European Parliament.
Belgium bugged Anderlecht football stadium to spy on Huawei MEP lobbying
Dramatic revelations shed fresh light on investigation into whether Chinese tech firm tried to buy influence in EU politics.
ow.ly
May 23, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
European People’s Party President Manfred Weber announced he would nominate Spain’s People’s Party European lawmaker Dolors Montserrat as secretary-general of the EPP.
Manfred Weber anoints Spanish MEP as second-in-command at the EPP
Dolors Montserrat as the new secretary-general is a surprising choice, say critical party insiders.
www.politico.eu
April 9, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Max Griera
Huawei corruption scandal: The heat is on over a 2021 Huawei-friendly letter.

Who’s caught in the storm? Who’s facing charges? How much money changed hands?

We bring you the latest on the #Huaweigate with @elisabraun.bsky.social, @maxgriera.bsky.social and @benmunster.bsky.social. 👇
Belgian prosecutors probe whether Huawei paid for letter signed by 8 MEPs
Authorities are looking into whether the Chinese tech giant made illegal payments for a letter defending its interests in 2021.
www.politico.eu
March 26, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
What's behind the EPP's shadow lobbying accusations?

My colleagues @maxgriera.bsky.social @l-guillot.bsky.social, @elisabraun.bsky.social and I spent some time rummaging through grant contracts between the European Commission and NGOs to find out the truth.

Enjoy!
www.politico.eu/article/fact...
Fact-check: Did the EU Commission really pay NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal?
Confidential contracts seen by POLITICO do not tend to support claims that the executive paid green groups to lobby on its behalf.
www.politico.eu
February 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
🚨 Patriots for Europe party to hold grand lovefest in Madrid, Saturday 8 February

🇭🇺Viktor Orbán, 🇫🇷Marine Le Pen, and 🇪🇸Santiago Abascal are attending

www.politico.eu/article/hung...
Orbán, Le Pen to hold ‘Make Europe Great Again’ rally in Madrid
Patriots party prepping up grand far-right lovefest.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
🧐📑Final draft of @Europarl_EN new staff rules on declaring meetings with third country reps and lobbysts

- No need to declare name of person
- Not mandatory for political groups’ staff
- Affects sec gen and all managers

🔥➡️Check it out in today’s EU Influence @elisabraun.bsky.social
January 23, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Max Griera
European Parliament members decided today to send a delegation to Washington on April 9-11 to strengthen relations with their US counterparts ahead of what they think could be a rocky Trump administration.
EU lawmakers left and right rush to secure line to Trump’s US
The far right has made the running so far but mainstream parties hope to increase contact.
www.politico.eu
January 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
‼️🇺🇸Scoop-Group of MEPs from EPP, S&D, Renew in line to visit Washington on 9-11 April to strenghten dialogue with US lawmakers

➡️EP wants to boosted ties w/ congress so Trump “rhethoric remains rhethoric and to make the transatlantic relationship work.”

www.politico.eu/article/eu-p...
EU lawmakers left and right rush to secure line to Trump’s US
The far right has made the running so far but mainstream parties hope to increase contact.
www.politico.eu
January 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
MORE POSTQATARGATE REFORMS:The EU Parliament admin managers, from team leaders to almighty directors general, will have to declare meetings with third-country representatives & lobbyists, as per internal note. VPs will adopt rules after consulting staff committees

⬇️
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
VDL’s Davos D-Day
Presented by Coalition for App Fairness By SARAH WHEATON PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Tweet @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @EddyWax | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser HOWDY. Sarah Wheaton h…
www.politico.eu
January 21, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
YouTube influencer Fidias Panayiotou is a member of the European Parliament who has become a kindred spirit of Elon Musk, via @maxgriera.bsky.social and @egreechee.bsky.social www.politico.eu/article/elon...
Elon Musk’s man in the European Parliament
Independent MEP Fidias Panayiotou met the billionaire in 2023 and has taken his line on some big political issues, from Ukraine to digital rules.
www.politico.eu
January 10, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Parliament President Metsola has invited Commission EVP Virkunnen to discuss potential Musk-X debate in plenary with political group leaders on Wednesday, during a closed door meeting

www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Trump’s sliding Ukraine deadline
Presented by G42 By SARAH WHEATON with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Tweet @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @EddyWax | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser HOWDY. You made it to …
www.politico.eu
January 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
🗳 💡 No matter what happens in Dutch election, future government in 🇳🇱 is bound to be more Eurosceptic due to irruption of centre-right NSC and skyrocketing of far-right PVV

Both Eurosceptic, one or the other will govern

Here's their views👇
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Euroscepticism looms over future Dutch government
www.euractiv.com
November 22, 2023 at 11:13 AM
🚨4 Polish MEPs - from PiS and ‘Suwerenna Polska’ - have lost their immunity this morning, and will be criminally prosecuted for inciting hate against migrants in Poland

Read the whole story⬇️
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
November 7, 2023 at 10:31 AM
📢📒New EU political ads rulebook:

- Ban on foreign-sponsored ads 3 months before election, referendum
- Commission-led repository with all online ads and related info
- Data use 4 targeting limited, banned 4 minors
- Labelling
- Applies Spring '24, after EU election

www.euractiv.com/section/elec...
November 7, 2023 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
The rapporteur for 1st spyware recommendations by EU Parliament, @sophieintveld.bsky.social, proposes to set up a 2nd PEGA inquiry -preferably before EU election- to keep investigating new developments & keep pressuring EU Commission, writes @maxgriera.bsky.social.

www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
EU Parliament resurrects spyware discussion with second inquiry committee on the horizon
www.euractiv.com
October 30, 2023 at 7:42 AM
Bulgaria becomes the global 2023 rule of law champion with 1.7% improvement in its rating from 2022 thanks to wide reforms - which is likely going to be used by Sofia to get 🇳🇱 and 🇦🇹 to lift Schengen veto

Opposedly, Greece is EU country that drops most, 1.4%

www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
Bulgaria tops global rule of law progress, Greece hits bottom
www.euractiv.com
October 25, 2023 at 9:24 AM
Terry Reintke announces her candidacy for the Green's EU elections lead candidate post

Though there will be internal elections in February, it seems pretty set she will become one of the two spitzenkadidaten - given her leadership and influence

www.euractiv.com/section/elec...
Terry Reintke's candidacy kickstarts Greens EU elections top job race
www.euractiv.com
October 25, 2023 at 9:17 AM
Me in winter Brussels.

*A cartoon by Adam Douglas Thompson, New Yorker
October 19, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Max Griera
Just published on our blog: Bluesky for Journalists FAQ

This page also includes a link to a waitlist form for journalists, so members of the press no longer have to email our press inbox for a code.

We appreciate everyone's help sharing this information!
Bluesky for Journalists
blueskyweb.xyz
October 13, 2023 at 10:57 PM
Reposted by Max Griera
Wealthier European Union regions are concerned that enlargement could result in a reduction in cohesion funds, but the European Commission said it is still too early to start talking about money. Joint story with @maxgriera.bsky.social ⤵️
Don’t touch my money: Rich regions concerned by perspective of EU enlargement
Wealthier European Union regions are concerned that enlargement could result in a reduction in cohesion funds, but the European Commission said it is still too early to start talking about money.
www.euractiv.com
October 13, 2023 at 10:19 AM
Reposted by Max Griera
Austria’s longest-serving EU conservative to leave Brussels behind www.euractiv.com/sec...
Austria’s longest-serving EU conservative to leave Brussels behind
www.euractiv.com
October 13, 2023 at 10:19 AM