Brussels Edition: Many moving parts

Follow Us Get the newsletter Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg's daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union. Big strategic choices are piling up for the EU in the run-up to next month's summit. Envoys in Brussels will today discuss an early draft of the leaders' communique, which has a strong focus on climate. Despite Poland's  reservations, the text commits the EU to slashing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. The discussion may indicate whether the unanimity needed for such a transformative  target is achievable. The draft statement we've seen doesn't yet include language on Turkey, which a growing number of EU voices want to sanction over tensions with Cyprus and Greece. And there's still no post-Brexit trade deal, for which the Dec. 10-11 summit constitutes an effective deadline; nor a final accord on the EU's budget and stimulus plan. There are clearly many moving parts over the next couple of weeks. — Nikos Chrysoloras and Viktoria Dendrinou What's Happening Medicines Push | The European Commission will today present a "pharmaceutical strategy for Europe" that'll tackle issues ranging from the development of new medicines to the availability of generic drugs. With detailed action including new legislation due later, the pandemic will keep the spotlight on the challenge of reducing the EU's dependence on foreign suppliers of some key medicines and ingredients. Gender Goals | The Commission will also outline increased efforts to promote gender equality outside the EU through foreign-policy tools ranging from diplomacy and training to aid and trade. The third such five-year "action plan" aims to help meet an existing goal for 85% of new EU external projects and actions to contribute to empowering women. Best Places | As Covid-19 has spread around the world, it's challenged preconceptions about which places would best tackle the worst public health crisis in a generation. We crunched the numbers to determine the best places to be in the coronavirus era. Here's the list. European Democracy | With the quarrel over democratic standards threatening to derail the EU's budget and stimulus package, the Commission is set to unveil a "democracy action plan" next month. The draft we've seen promises more rules to regulate algorithms used in web searches, as well as legislation to increase transparency of political ads, and plans to publish ownership information about media outlets. Pipeline Spat | Lots of things may change with Joe Biden at the White House, but U.S. opposition to Nord Stream 2 is likely to remain. The stalemate in the EU's largest infrastructure project isn't good news for one of Germany's poorer regions. Virus Update | German Chancellor Angela Merkel is proposing a further tightening of the country's coronavirus restrictions, setting the stage for another tense round of discussions with the country's 16 state leaders today. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said he will gradually lift a nationwide lockdown from Saturday, and will aim for a lifting of most measures on Dec. 15. Here's the latest. In Case You Missed It Gloomy Outlook | European executives are losing confidence in the outlook as new virus restrictions threaten to drag the economy into another slump. The gloomier take, reversing recent improvements, follows the rise in infections that's forced governments to impose tighter curbs. Social Demand | The EU's third sale of social bonds was met with enthusiasm once again, with investors showing continued interest in securities designed to finance the bloc's economic recovery. The sale will be a boost to a small but fast-growing market for social securities, and help meet demand from funds desperate to satisfy their ethical investment mandates. Carbon Conundrum | The trade accord under negotiation between the U.K. and EU will probably exclude any explicit agreement on carbon trading, leaving it to authorities in London to decide on how to price pollution starting Jan. 1. This has left industry executives and power market traders guessing about what will be in place in just five weeks. Cleaner Air | The decline in pollution in Europe due to stricter environmental regulations helped lower deaths caused by heart and lung disease, according to the European Environment Agency. Around 60,000 fewer people died prematurely due to fine particulate matter pollution in 2018 compared with 2009. Jet Review | Europe's aviation safety regulator kicked off the process of bringing Boeing Co.'s 737 Max back into service, in a major step toward the grounded jet's global return. EU approval would mark a milestone in Boeing's efforts to return the Max to service outside the U.S., and help build support for the aircraft worldwide. Chart of the Day Years of budget splurges on wages and pensions haven't significantly improved the lives of all Romanians. The lack of a clear investment strategy has led to major inequalities in the country, with tens of thousands living in poverty, especially in the north-east and the south-west. More than a decade after it joined the EU, the country still ranks last in terms of access to decent toilets. Today's Agenda All times CET. 9 a.m. EU Parliament debate with Commission President von der Leyen 10:30 a.m Press conference by EU Foreign Policy Chief Joep Borrell, Commissioner Urpilainen on the action plan on gender equality and women empowerment in external relations 11 a.m. Eurostat to publish data on tourism in summer 2020 11:30 a.m. Press conference by Executive Vice-President Vestager, Commissioner Breton on data governance and the action plan on intellectual property 1 p.m. EU budget chief Hahn delivers a keynote speech via videoconference at the EconPol Europe Annual Conference 2020 1:30 p.m. Press conference by Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Kyriakides on the pharmaceutical strategy 2 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel discusses virus response with regional premiers European Parliament will debate and vote on ways to boost sustainability by granting EU consumers a "right to repair" and by tackling practices that intentionally shorten the lifetime of products MEPs will vote on new rules that will allow groups of consumers, "harmed by illegal practices, to defend their rights collectively and seek compensation" Like the Brussels Edition? 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