Weekly report
European Council conclusions, 18 and 19 June 2026 · European Council conclusions on Ukraine and on European defence and security · New look for the EU Careers website · AD5 Graduates testing to start in autumn 2026
The European Council adopted conclusions on Ukraine, the Middle East, the next multiannual financial framework, competitiveness, European defence and security, migration, enlargement and reforms. Leaders welcomed the second accession conference with Ukraine and the opening of the fundamentals cluster. The text also addresses illicit drugs and EU support for Moldova and the Western Balkans.
Council of the EUEU leaders restated full and unwavering support for Ukraine and underlined the urgency of strengthening European defence capabilities. The conclusions outline next steps on financing, joint procurement and industrial scale-up. The document also calls for closer coordination with NATO partners in light of evolving threats on the eastern flank.
Council of the EUNegotiators from the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on new legislation simplifying defence procurement and accelerating industrial investments. The harmonised framework caps the permit-granting process at 102 working days for defence-readiness projects. The deal aligns with the European Council's call for a stronger and more autonomous European defence base.
Council of the EUThe Council and the European Parliament clinched a provisional deal on an EU law enabling faster and more effective return procedures. The new rules establish tools for enhanced cooperation between member states and envisage return hubs in non-EU countries, while preserving fundamental rights. The text now goes for formal adoption by both institutions.
Council of the EUThe official meeting page of the European Council of 18–19 June 2026 publishes the full agenda, conclusions, statements and press materials. Leaders devoted the meeting to Ukraine, defence, competitiveness, enlargement and the next multiannual financial framework. The page also offers video of the opening remarks and the closing press conference.
Council of the EUThe European Parliament's press room aggregates the press releases and rapporteurs' statements from the June 2026 plenary, including the green light to new rules to protect vulnerable adults and unwavering support for Ukraine. MEPs also discussed strengthening defence cooperation with Canada and the screening of foreign investments. The page links to videos of debates and roll-call votes.
European ParliamentThe Commission's press corner gathers all daily press releases of June 2026, covering the Single Market omnibus, the AI continent initiative and progress on the Net-Zero Industry Act. The page also publishes the College agenda and the spokespersons' midday briefings. Several files referenced by the European Council appear in the press kit.
European CommissionEuropean Council President António Costa's invitation letter to leaders outlined the priorities for the June 18–19 summit: Ukraine, defence, the multiannual financial framework, competitiveness and enlargement. The letter foreshadowed the conclusions adopted at the end of the meeting. It also signalled the political importance of opening the fundamentals cluster with Ukraine.
Council of the EUEPSO has redesigned the EU Careers website to improve navigation on all devices and restructure information for quicker access. Content is now available in all 24 EU languages with an updated language selector. The refresh aims to make competition information more accessible to first-time applicants and to candidates already in selection procedures.
EU CareersTesting for the AD5 Graduates selection procedure will begin in autumn 2026. EPSO confirmed that exact test dates will be communicated to candidates later to minimise inquiries to the contact service. The AD5 Graduate competition received over 170,000 applications — with roughly 45% coming from Italy and 90% of applicants currently not employed by the EU institutions.
EU CareersEPSO published the final number of candidates for the AD5 Graduate competition: more than 170,000 applications were received. About 45% came from Italy. Around 90% of applicants are not currently working in the EU institutions, which signals strong interest from external candidates for the entry-level administrator track.
EU CareersMore than 7,000 candidates applied for the AD7 auditor specialist competition before its 19 May 2026 closure. EPSO confirmed it is reviewing a technical glitch that affected some applicants and that contacts via the Single Candidate Portal will follow. The Audit profile is one of the most sought-after specialist tracks at the EU institutions.
EU CareersThe application period for the ICT specialist competition (AD7) closed on 10 June 2026 at noon (Brussels time). EPSO reminded candidates that the standard reply time of the contact service is five working days. Specialist profiles in this round covered systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity and digital project management.
EU CareersA technical issue affecting application validation in the Audit and ICT competitions was resolved for submissions after 22 May 2026. EPSO confirmed that affected candidates will be contacted via their Single Candidate Portal in June. The incident did not invalidate any submission already accepted by the platform.
EU CareersEPSO is releasing the results of the EPSO/AD/423/25 lawyer-linguist and legal reviser competition gradually by language. The phased release uses new IT tools to ensure proper functionality and to avoid overloading the candidate portal. Candidates are encouraged to check their Single Candidate Portal directly rather than email the contact service.
EU CareersEPSO confirmed that results from the contract staff tests held on 7 May 2026 will be published in candidate accounts by the end of June 2026. Candidates should look in their Single Candidate Portal — no individual notification is sent. Contract staff selections are a separate track from the permanent-staff open competitions.
EU CareersThe updated EU Login mobile app now supports multiple accounts on a single device, enabling candidates to manage corporate and personal accounts side by side. The change simplifies access for users who hold EU professional and candidate accounts simultaneously. EU Login is the gateway to the Single Candidate Portal and to many other EU services.
EU CareersEPSO's official 'upcoming opportunities' page lists the competitions scheduled for 2026: IT experts in two fields (AI and Cybersecurity, grade AD8) in September; Data management experts (AST); Lawyer-Linguists for the Court of Justice (AD); and Lawyer-Linguists for the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission (AD). Final publication dates will be announced on the page closer to each launch.
EU CareersGermany's business climate brightened in June, with the Ifo institute's expectations index rising to 84.1 from a revised 83.9 the previous month. The improvement eased concerns about the knock-on effects of the Iran war on Europe's largest economy. Companies reported steadier order books, though pessimism about long-term competitiveness remains.
BloombergChancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition is negotiating up to €20 billion (about $22.8 billion) in income-tax relief to stimulate Europe's largest economy. The measure forms part of a broader reform package the government has promised to unveil before the summer recess. Coalition partners are split on the financing path, with debate centred on which expenditures to defer.
BloombergVolkswagen's announcement of additional production cuts highlighted persistent weakness in Germany's flagship industry. The carmaker's struggles in China and tepid European demand are spilling over into the broader supply chain, pressuring jobs across the Mittelstand. Analysts warn that the auto sector's woes could subtract several tenths of a percentage point from 2026 GDP.
BloombergIn a policy statement to the Bundestag ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Germany to embark on a clear path of renewal. He urged the EU to become more resilient militarily, economically and politically, citing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Merz framed competitiveness as the defining issue of the coming legislative period.
Federal GovernmentChancellor Friedrich Merz warned that Germany is losing between 300 and 500 jobs every day and that double-digit numbers of companies file for insolvency daily. The remarks framed the urgency of the coalition's planned tax and pension reforms. The Chancellor said reversing the trend requires faster permitting, lower energy prices and renewed industrial investment.
EuronewsThe Cabinet adopted the 2026 annual economic report, setting out priorities to ensure growth, reform the welfare state and close gaps in security policy. The document confirms the official 2026 GDP growth forecast at 0.5%, halved from earlier projections. Key initiatives include a High-Tech Agenda focused on AI, quantum technology, microelectronics and climate-neutral mobility.
Federal GovernmentGermany and Ukraine announced a joint programme to develop a new air defence system, deepening industrial and military cooperation. The agreement complements the €11.5 billion earmarked for Ukraine support in Germany's 2026 budget. Berlin reaffirmed that support for Kyiv will continue "for as long as it is necessary".
deutschland.deThe Federal Government published an overview of relief measures for the economy and population, including targeted tax cuts and energy cost adjustments. The package is part of the coalition's broader reform agenda for health, tax and pension systems. Officials stressed that measures will be staggered to maintain budget discipline.
Federal GovernmentA taxa de desemprego no Brasil até maio recuou para 5,6%, o menor patamar já registrado no período, segundo dados divulgados pelo IBGE. O resultado reflete um mercado de trabalho aquecido, com a taxa de subutilização atingindo a menor da história. Economistas apontam continuidade na geração de vagas formais e queda da informalidade nos últimos meses.
Agência BrasilO ministro Moretti indicou que o governo prepara proposta para ampliar o limite anual de faturamento do Microempreendedor Individual de R$ 81 mil para R$ 140 mil. O texto deverá ser enviado ao Congresso nas próximas semanas e visa modernizar o regime simplificado, contemplando o crescimento médio observado entre pequenos empreendedores nos últimos dez anos.
Agência BrasilO governo brasileiro inaugurou um posto tributário em território chinês para facilitar a relação comercial e fiscal entre os dois países, com foco em desburocratizar exportações do agronegócio e da indústria. A estrutura permite atendimento direto a empresas brasileiras com operações no mercado asiático e responde a uma demanda crescente das câmaras de comércio bilaterais.
Agência BrasilO ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal André Mendonça concedeu liminar suspendendo as multas previstas em norma do Ministério do Trabalho sobre saúde mental no ambiente laboral. A decisão impacta a fiscalização sobre empresas e atende a um pedido de entidades empresariais que apontavam falta de regulamentação clara. O mérito ainda será julgado pelo plenário do STF.
Agência BrasilO ministro da Defesa viajará à Venezuela a pedido do presidente Lula para avaliar a situação humanitária após os terremotos no país vizinho. A delegação levará apoio brasileiro e tratará de cooperação militar e logística. O Itamaraty já confirmou a morte de dois brasileiros nos tremores e estima que o número de desaparecidos pode ultrapassar 40 mil pessoas.
Agência BrasilA Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) determinou a proibição de uma plataforma digital que oferecia consultas médicas online seguidas de entrega de medicamentos sem o cumprimento de exigências regulatórias. A decisão se baseia em irregularidades na cadeia de prescrição e distribuição. A empresa terá prazo para regularizar o serviço ou interromper definitivamente as operações.
Agência BrasilO Ministério da Saúde solicitou ações urgentes de reforço da vacinação infantil contra o sarampo nas cidades de São Paulo e Guarulhos após a confirmação de novos casos. A campanha foca em crianças entre seis meses e cinco anos e mobiliza UBSs em horário estendido. Especialistas alertam que a queda da cobertura vacinal nos últimos anos abre brechas para reemergência da doença no estado.
Agência BrasilA Caixa Econômica Federal iniciou o pagamento da parcela mensal do Bolsa Família para beneficiários cujo Número de Identificação Social (NIS) termina em 6. O cronograma segue o calendário oficial do programa, contemplando todos os dígitos ao longo dos próximos dias úteis. O programa atende cerca de 20 milhões de famílias em todo o país.
Agência BrasilOs Estados Unidos anunciaram alívio temporário de sanções financeiras contra a Venezuela em resposta aos terremotos que atingiram o país. A medida humanitária permite operações bancárias e remessas de assistência de emergência. O Itamaraty acompanha a situação e coordena com Caracas o envio de ajuda brasileira aos atingidos.
Agência BrasilO Japão garantiu a classificação após empatar com a Suécia e enfrentará o Brasil na próxima fase da Copa do Mundo de 2026. A seleção japonesa chega com um time veterano e tem se destacado no jogo coletivo, segundo análise técnica da Agência Brasil. A partida será disputada na próxima semana em uma das sedes norte-americanas do torneio.
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