Weekly report
Ireland takes over EU Council Presidency, sets 6-month priorities · Parliament and Council strike deal on air passenger rights · Additional testing session announced for 3 September 2026 · AD5 reasoning-test timeline article updated on EU Careers portal
Ireland officially assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July 2026. Taoiseach's programme prioritises enlargement, competitiveness, digital transformation, defence readiness, and rural resilience. First finance ministers meeting endorsed integrated country-specific recommendations.
Irish EU PresidencyProvisional agreement maintains compensation for three-hour delays, ensures faster reimbursement, fee-free child seating alongside a parent and mandatory pre-flight price transparency. Passengers can also claim compensation if a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
European ParliamentIntergovernmental Conference marks the formal opening of Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) covering rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic institutions and public administration reform. First closing benchmarks expected by end of 2026.
European CommissionFollowing the Ukraine IGC, Moldova opens Cluster 1 negotiations on the same day. Commission notes Moldova has completed screening on 6 out of 33 chapters, faster than initially expected. Chișinău commits to a 2028 accession-readiness target.
DG NEARFrom 1 July, a temporary flat €3 customs handling fee applies to all parcels worth up to €150 imported from outside the EU. Targets Shein, Temu and Aliexpress flows; aims to fund customs operations, reduce underdeclarations, and level the playing field for European retailers.
DG TAXUDMEPs in the Environment Committee back the Commission proposal extending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from 1 January 2028 to around 180 downstream products. Vote paves the way for trilogue with the Council under the Irish Presidency.
European ParliamentCommissioner Serafin presents the €500 billion long-term budget proposal for the next 7-year cycle. Includes new EU competitiveness fund, ringfenced climate and defence pillars, and a proposed new own resource on non-recycled plastic waste and a border-carbon share of CBAM revenue.
European CommissionCouncil extends restrictive measures for another 6 months (until 31 January 2027) and adds 25 individuals and 7 entities to the sanctions list, focusing on shadow fleet operators and companies aiding sanctions circumvention. Vote unanimous after Hungary secured energy carve-out clarification.
Council of the EUEPSO announces an extra testing session on 3 September 2026 for buildings-related competitions, for candidates who could not sit tests in April. Further procedural details will follow in individual invitation letters. This is the only EPSO news announcement published this week.
EU CareersThe 30 June 2026 announcement on the AD5 two-part testing structure was re-highlighted on 8 July. Content unchanged: reasoning tests (verbal + numerical + abstract) run October–November 2026 with pass marks of 10/20 verbal and 10/20 combined N+A; remaining tests deferred to first half 2027.
EU CareersFollowing the closure of AD7 Audit (EPSO/AD/428/26) applications on 19 May 2026 with over 7,000 valid applications, the competition is now in evaluation phase. Assessment Centre for shortlisted candidates continues through summer; reserve list publication targeted for end of 2026.
EU CareersEPSO/AD/429/26 Profile 4 (Data Science) status page updated on EU Careers this week with details on the field-related MCQ + case study to be scheduled in the coming months. All four AD7 ICT profiles (Infrastructure, Project Management, Clouds & Networks, Data Science) share the same Notice of Competition.
EU CareersEPSO/AD/429/26 Profile 3 (Clouds and Networks) job page remains listed with active status. Candidates still awaiting information on the field-related MCQ + case study dates for the four AD7 ICT profiles under the same Notice of Competition.
EU CareersEPSO/AD/429/26 Profile 2 (ICT Project Management) remains active on the job opportunities page. Note the ICT Project Management competition here should not be confused with the ICT-PM training bible content on preparation platforms — the two share only the name.
EU CareersEPSO/AD/429/26 Profile 1 (ICT Infrastructure) is the first of the four AD7 ICT profiles under the shared Notice of Competition. Job description still displayed and applications recently closed. Candidates awaiting communication on next test dates.
EU CareersEPSO/AD/427/26 (Graduate Administrators) job page remains as the reference for the AD5 competition. Reminder: supporting documents deadline is 7 October 2026, 12:00 Brussels time. All candidates should verify their profiles before that cut-off.
EU CareersLatest Insa poll shows Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) at 28% support nationally, ahead of Merz's CDU/CSU at 22%. Greens (13.9%), SPD (12.4%) and Die Linke (10.8%) follow. AfD leads polls in five eastern states, including Saxony-Anhalt (41.1%).
PolitProThe full text of the Merz-SPD reform package covers pension overhaul, stricter sick-leave rules, €10 billion in annual income-tax relief from January 2027, targeted small-business simplification, and a €50 billion federal investment fund for infrastructure.
Al JazeeraCentral bank cuts growth forecast from 0.7% (April) to 0.3% for 2026, citing US tariffs, weak Chinese demand and geopolitical tensions. Bundesbank warns the Merz reform package could add 0.4 percentage points if fully implemented.
BundesbankGerman carmaker reports first quarterly loss in five years, hit by falling China sales, slower-than-expected EV transition and restructuring costs at Wolfsburg. Board considers further cuts to Osnabrück and Dresden plants.
Volkswagen GroupDGB unions organise nationwide protests against Merz coalition proposal to introduce compulsory doctor's certificate from day one of sick leave (currently after 3 days). Unions warn of pressure on workers with chronic conditions.
DGBFederal Defence Ministry awards Rheinmetall the contract to upgrade 200 Leopard 2 A6 tanks to the A8 standard by 2029. Part of Germany's €100 billion defence special fund. Chancellor Merz says orders directly boost eastern-German industrial jobs.
RheinmetallVerwaltungsgericht Berlin rules that Free University's blanket ban on Palestine solidarity encampments is unconstitutional and must be lifted. Court says university had not proven proportionality of restriction on assembly rights.
TagesspiegelDB unveils overhauled infrastructure plan focused on high-traffic corridors Frankfurt–Mannheim, Hamburg–Hannover and Munich–Nuremberg. Some 40% of the network to be renewed by 2030 with dedicated digital signalling (ETCS).
Deutsche BahnO Comitê de Política Monetária cortou a taxa básica em 25 pontos-base, mantendo um ciclo de flexibilização cauteloso após o aperto agressivo de 2025. Copom cita risco fiscal e desancoragem das expectativas como limitantes para cortes mais rápidos.
Agência BrasilPacote reúne ampliação da isenção de IR até R$ 5 mil/mês (impacto estimado de R$ 31 bi em 2026), novas linhas de financiamento, reforço do Minha Casa Minha Vida, mudanças no FGTS e crédito consignado privado. Economistas veem risco inflacionário.
Gazeta MercantilMediana das projeções do mercado financeiro para inflação anual permanece acima do teto da meta de 4,5%. Projeções para 2027 e 2028 são 4% e 3,64%. Selic esperada em 13,5% ao fim de 2026, sinalizando novos cortes graduais.
Banco CentralSegundo a ata da última reunião, incertezas sobre estabilização da dívida pública, expansão de crédito direcionado e enfraquecimento de reformas estruturais poderiam elevar a taxa de juros neutra e limitar o espaço de corte.
ADVFNMinistério da Fazenda estima que a ampliação do limite de isenção do imposto de renda alcançará cerca de 25 milhões de assalariados. Efeito começa a valer em janeiro de 2027 caso projeto seja aprovado no Congresso ainda em 2026.
Agência BrasilBNDES e Caixa lançam pacote de crédito emergencial para empresas atingidas por tarifas comerciais impostas pelos Estados Unidos a setores brasileiros. Foco em siderurgia, celulose e agroindústria.
Agência BrasilFluxo de IED cresce 12% em relação ao mesmo período de 2025, impulsionado por infraestrutura de energias renováveis e novas fábricas de veículos elétricos. China, EUA e Espanha lideram os aportes.
Valor EconômicoComissão Mista analisa 380 emendas ao projeto de lei complementar que regulamenta a Contribuição sobre Bens e Serviços (CBS). Setores de serviços e saúde pressionam por alíquotas reduzidas. Votação em plenário esperada até final de julho.
Agência SenadoPlano estratégico da estatal reserva 15% do CAPEX total para projetos de baixo carbono: hidrogênio verde no Ceará, biodiesel, captura de CO₂ em plataformas offshore e ampliação do etanol de segunda geração.
PetrobrasDados do IBGE mostram expansão consecutiva do setor de serviços, com destaque para tecnologia da informação (+2,3%) e turismo (+1,9%). Recuperação sustentada aponta para melhora do consumo das famílias no segundo semestre.
Agência Brasil / IBGEPractise with a full EPSO-format set — verbal, numerical, abstract reasoning and EU knowledge.
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