Belgium has taken over the presidency of the EU Council. McDonald’s Malaysia is suing the Israeli boycott movement for millions

Around the turn of the year, Belgium took over the presidency of the EU Council, which rotates every six months. The country’s government representatives will take over the leadership of numerous ministerial meetings until the end of June and mediate disagreements between the other EU countries.

In the coming weeks, for example, questions about the EU’s long-term budget and the financing of further aid to Ukraine will have to be clarified. Under the Spanish presidency of the EU Council, which ended on Sunday, no agreement could be reached on this, as originally planned.

Belgium wants, among other things, to provide its own impetus in the discussion about EU reforms. Reforms are necessary to maintain a functioning EU, strengthen its unity and increase its capacity to act, the government announced when it took over the presidency of the Council of the EU.

The presidency is seen as particularly challenging for Belgium because of the European elections in June. This probably means that the months leading up to it will be dominated by election campaigns. Moreover, Belgium elects a new parliament at the same time as the European elections. (sda/dpa)