EU Reporter Correspondents

We at EU Reporter are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claudia Candeago, on February 15th, following the rail crash at Buizingen.

Employed at the European Parliament since December 2008, Claudia worked in DG Communication, and was based in the Press Centre where we came to know her for her friendliness and efficiency. She will be greatly missed.

The funeral will take place on February 22nd, at the Church of St Martin, Hornu.

Concerns about the dumbing down and politicisation of the media have begun to surface in the European Parliament.

The newly formed "media intergroup" met yesterday (Feb 2) to discuss, amongst other issues, the lack of independent reporting, and the closing down of many national and regional newspapers and journals.

MEPs and journalists vigorously debated the issues, in what promises to become one of the more controversial of the parliament's intergroups.

One issue that never seems to go off the boil in the European Parliament is that of the labelling of food products. Today, the issue was debated in the EP's internal market committee, where MEPs chewed over the question of how much information should be put onto food packaging.

December 2009 saw EU staff members striking in anticipation of a coming pay battle. The European Commission is seeking an inflation-busting rise for staff and commissioners alike of 3.7%. Member states would like to limit the rise to 1.8%, mindful as they are of how such a rise would be perceived in countries suffering under the economic crisis.

Prior to the formation of the new parliament this year, there was a great deal of speculation about new alliances, with much attention focussed on the British Conservatives, who were committed to leaving the European People’s Party (EPP) by their leader, David Cameron. The move was opposed by many Tory MEPs.