Portugal moves to ban Islamic face veils in public
Portugal could become the latest European country to ban face veils, primarily worn by Muslim women, in public.
From the capitals
Hot TopicLatest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
French Greens leader accuses ex-football chief of ‘Trump-style tactics’ in mayoral race
France's Green Party leader Marine Tondelier has accused Jean-Michel Aulas, a former football club president turned politician, of copying US President Donald Trump’s…
Germany recalls ambassador to Georgia over ‘agitation against the EU’
Germany has recalled its ambassador to Georgia amid an escalating conflict with the government the Caucasus country.
Polish President rejects bill to give legal status to same-sex unions
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has signalled he will not sign into law the ruling centre-left coalition’s bill that would allow unmarried partners, including…
Slovakian PM Fico’s Smer kicked out of Party of European Socialists
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer-SD Party has been formally expelled from the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Parliament.
French PM survives confidence vote, but ‘the great absentees are the French people’
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu today survived two separate no-confidence votes in the French National Assembly.
Trump tells the Dutch to go seize that tricky Chinese chip maker, and they do
With the plethora of news happening across the West – and indeed, across the world – you may have missed a seemingly small story out of the Netherlands this…
German Government coalition crisis as SDP pulls out of draft compromise
Germany’s political leadership is in turmoil after a discussion on the reintroduction of compulsory military service became the latest crisis for the government…
German Government parties agree on draft lottery to counter army’s severe manpower shortage
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is planning to introduce a lottery system for compulsory military service.
Trade union protest in Brussels turns violent
A major trade union protest has taken place in Brussels. Tens of thousands showed their opposition to possible cuts by the Belgian Government.
Poles apart: President Nawrocki and PM Tusk clash over court purge
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, ideologically poles apart, are set to clash over judicial reforms aimed at purging thousands…
Still-born government? Opponents gear up to topple another French PM
Déja-vu? France’s freshly reappointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has unveiled his new government as opposition leaders began plotting its downfall.
Macron excludes RN and LFI parties from new government talks
French President Emmanuel Macron is holding emergency talks with party leaders at the Élysée Palace in a last-ditch bid to form a government.
Macron under increasing pressure to name new PM
French President Emmanuel Macron was racing to find a new prime minister within a two-day deadline after the resignation of outgoing premier Sébastien Lecornu tipped…
Trump is attacking Russia’s global strategy
At the heart of the West’s strategic approach to Russia – insofar as there is such a thing – lies a major fallacy.
French parliamentarians have nibbled away like termites at the stability formed by de Gaulle
The collapse of the Lecornu government in the French National Assembly, the fourth government to fail in the last year, raises disturbing resonances of the parliamentary…
Polish party leader against Ukrainian representation in parliament
The joint leader of Poland’s opposition Confederation party said he was against the Ukrainian minority in the country having its own representation in the Polish…
Polish PM Tusk opposes Ukrainian Nord Stream suspect’s deportation to Germany
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was opposed to deporting a Ukrainian man detained in Poland on suspicion of being involved in the blowing up of the Nord…
Will Babiš be a new Orbán? The ranks of resistance grow within Europe
The news from Prague unsettles Brussels. Andrej Babiš is back, prime minister once more.
The elites slink into the night, replaced by populists who represent the unhappy voters
The victory of Czech populist leader Andrej Babiš' ANO party in Saturday’s elections did more than confirm the populist trend throughout Europe.
Poland hands over 16-year-old Ukrainian accused of working for Russia
Poland has transferred to Ukraine a 16-year-old Ukrainian who was allegedly involved in organising terrorist attacks for Russia.
The ECR turns its fire on Left, not von der Leyen, as EP debates censure motion
The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the European Parliament will not impose a voting line on their members for the censure motions against President…
Desperate measures? Macron gives resigned PM Lecornu two days to save administration
French President Emmanuel Macron has given resigned prime minister Sébastien Lecornu two days to salvage his administration.
Censure motions ‘not really about von der Leyen’
Austrian members of the Liberal Renew Europe group say they will not support two no-confidence motions tabled against European Commission President Ursula von der…
If Europeans were in Israel’s place, would they defend themselves?
I don’t trust the overwhelming, unanimous indignation, nor the sea of Palestinian flags unfurled on land, sea, and air at film festivals, in stadiums, cycling…
The right-wing in Poland ready to return to power: When? Will anyone betray them?
A few days ago, Polish Sejm Marshal Szymon Hołownia, the speaker of the lower house, asked in the parliamentary chamber whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk wanted…
Former aide to AfD politician jailed for spying for China
A former aide to German lawmaker Maximilian Krah was jailed for four years and nine months on September 30 on charges of spying for China.
The West’s revolutionary moment: When stability becomes the exception
In 1917, while Germany fought Russia in a devastating conflict, revolutionary conditions erupted within the Russian Empire, ultimately toppling the Tsarist regime…
Russia dismisses NATO airspace violation claims as ‘hysteria’
Russia on Wednesday dismissed claims that it breached NATO's airspace as "hysteria", a day after US President Donald Trump said the allies should shoot down Russian…
Fire von der Leyen: ‘Blistering’ EP resolutions coming at her
October is right around the corner. In Tallinn, the snow is getting impatient, ready to fall. In Vienna, the sturm wine has arrived and is being eagerly poured.