Weekly report

EU, EPSO and world news

Council + Parliament strike deal on EU defence-industry simplification · Commission adopts €1.5 billion EDIP work programme for EU + Ukraine industry · AD5 Graduates testing split into two parts · New look for the EU Careers website

3 July 2026 · 36 stories

European Union

AGILE defence-innovation programme moves forward in Council

Member states' representatives approved the Council's position on the AGILE regulation. The programme is designed to shorten the defence-innovation cycle and give EU-based deep-tech start-ups a route into defence procurement.

Council of the EU

Foreign-investment screening regulation now in force

The revised foreign-investment screening regulation, formally adopted on 8 June 2026, entered into force this week. The instrument obliges every member state to have a screening mechanism and strengthens the Commission's cooperation role.

Council of the EU

EPSO & EU careers

AD5 Graduates testing split into two parts

EPSO announced that the AD5 Graduate competition testing will be split into two separate sittings. Reasoning tests are expected to commence in October/November 2026, followed by field-related tests. Candidates will receive individual timeslots via the Single Candidate Portal.

EU Careers

New look for the EU Careers website

The EU Careers portal has been redesigned with clearer navigation, restructured pages and enhanced multilingual support across the 24 official EU languages. The refresh is aimed at first-time applicants and candidates in ongoing procedures.

EU Careers

AD7 Audit competition — over 7,000 applications received

The AD7 specialist auditor competition attracted over 7,000 applications before its 19 May 2026 close. EPSO is finalising the review of cases affected by a technical glitch and will contact affected candidates individually.

EU Careers

AD5 Graduates — final applicant count published

More than 170,000 candidates applied for the AD5 Graduate competition. Italy submitted the highest volume (about 79,343), and 90% of applicants are external to the EU institutions — signalling strong pipeline demand.

EU Careers

EU Login mobile app now supports multiple accounts

The updated EU Login mobile app enables managing several accounts on a single device — useful for candidates who juggle personal and professional EU-facing accounts. The change simplifies MFA workflows across EPSO Portal, MyRemote, and other EC services.

EU Careers

Update on Requests for Review — EPSO/AD/413/24

Processing of Requests for Review for competition EPSO/AD/413/24 is running longer than expected due to exceptional volume. EPSO asks candidates not to contact staff for individual case updates while the queue is worked through.

EU Careers

Upcoming competitions for 2026 and 2027 — planning window opens

EPSO's 'Upcoming opportunities' page lists confirmed and provisional launches: IT experts (AI + Cybersecurity, AD8), Lawyer-Linguists for CJEU + EP/Council/Commission, and specialist tracks in 2027 (International Affairs, Translators, Nuclear Inspectors).

EU Careers

Germany

Merz coalition seals sweeping reform package: taxes, pensions, sick leave

After seven hours of overnight talks, the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition agreed on 34 measures aimed at reviving Europe's largest economy. The package includes about €10 billion per year in income-tax relief for low and middle earners, a pension-system overhaul, and stricter sick-leave rules requiring a doctor's certificate from day one.

Bloomberg

Reform plan could lift 2027 German GDP above 1%, Merz tells ARD

Chancellor Friedrich Merz told public broadcaster ARD that the newly-agreed reform package could push German economic growth above 1% in 2027 — nearly double this year's projections. He framed the deal as the largest supply-side reset in a decade.

Bloomberg

Merz calls for renewed peace negotiations for Ukraine

The Chancellor used a foreign-affairs speech to press for a fresh diplomatic push on Ukraine. Berlin says it will keep its financial and defence commitments to Kyiv while advocating a coordinated European negotiating track.

deutschland.de

Brazil

Regras do período de defeso eleitoral começam a valer

As restrições do defeso eleitoral entram em vigor, limitando campanhas antecipadas e propaganda pública. O Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) intensifica fiscalização e a Agência Brasil confirma alinhamento das suas coberturas às normas do órgão.

Agência Brasil

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