Belgian federal government talks collapse, again
After 148 days of negotiations, talks to form a government in Belgium have failed.
From the capitals
Hot TopicLatest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
Governor of key Russian region hit by Ukraine drones resigns
President Vladimir Putin has accepted the resignation of Vasily Golubev who headed the Rostov region that has been plagued by Ukrainian drones, and where the Wagner…
Polish minister Sikorski tells Ukraine to buy arms from his country ‘on credit’
Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski has hit out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after he accused Poland of dragging its feet in supplying arms to…
Spanish King, Queen and PM face fury on Valencia visit
The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia, alongside Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, have faced angry crowds as they visited "ground zero" in Valencia following…
Economic liberal Lindner provokes coalition partners with free market talk
After four unhappy years shackled to a coalition of misery, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) leader and Finance Minister Christian Lindner has filed for divorce.
French economy ‘at the edge of the precipice’
There is more than the usual curiosity that accompanies news of budgetary disappointment in an important country in the case of the shambles of public accounts now…
UK budget D-Day: Finance minister Reeves looks set to light blue touchpaper
Britain's new finance minister Rachel Reeves is set announce what may be the biggest tax hikes in three decades in a bid to fix the country's sagging public services,…
‘Tax the rich’: French MPs approve billionaire levy
French MPs have approved a leftist-backed amendment to increase tax on billionaires as part of the country’s budget proposal.
Macron at risk? French PM’s security agents reveal confidential travel details online
An investigation by French news outlet Le Monde has revealed President Emmanuel Macron's safety could be at risk.
US, EU call for probe after reports of alleged Georgia election violations
The US and the European Union have urged a full investigation into reports of alleged voting violations following the disputed parliamentary election in Georgia.
Warsaw mayor in U-turn on conservative-backed Polish Independence Day March
Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw and likely presidential candidate for Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s liberal Civic Coalition in next year’s elections,…
Polish PM ignores anniversary of priest’s Communist murder, but helps ex-secret police
The Tusk government and his political party stayed silent on the 40th anniversary of the killing of Father Jerzy Popiełuszko by the Communist secret police.
Austria’s president asks election losers to form government, hopes to isolate winning FPÖ
Austria looks set for a coalition government of Conservatives and Socialists, even though both parties scored relatively poorly in the general election.
Moldovan opposition accuses president Sandu of ‘serious abuses and violations’
Only hours before the crucial election in Moldova on October 20, the opposition sent a "desperate plea" to the United Nations, the European Union and the Organisation…
Serbian president vows never to sanction Russia
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, promising never to put sanctions on Russia.
German security package fails in Federal Council because too weak despite fatal stabbing attack
Germany's Federal Council, a key legislative chamber of Germany alongside the Parliament, has shot down essential parts of legislation aimed at strengthening security…
US takes action against Beijing’s espionage and propaganda. What will Europe do?
The news is getting so common that it is hardly news anymore. Chinese espionage is becoming a major threat for Western security.
Poland’s president opposes Tusk’s suspension of migrant asylum applications
Polish President Andrzej Duda has criticised prime minister Donald Tusk’s move to suspend allowing asylum applications on Poland's border with Belarus.
Stopping Russia might take more than ‘offering’ peace
With Ukraine’s situation becoming increasingly precarious, it is time to confront, head-on, the most dangerous of the many illusions entertained by the Western…
Françafrique collapse: Niger purges capital street names of French influence
The former French colony of Niger has purged the country's capital of street names that evoke its colonial master, amidst the continuing decline of the Françafrique…
Meloni to visit Lebanon amidst Israel-Hezbollah conflict
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced plans to visit Lebanon on October 18 amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
Researchers alarmed by China’s grip on EU wind sector
"Becoming a world leader in green technology is one of China’s key strategic objectives...
China forces Uyghurs into slavery, finally a blunt resolution from European Parliament
Due to its sheer size, the displacement of its economy and its military might, China is accustomed to breaking rules and getting away with it.
FPÖ furious after Austrian president ignores party’s election win
Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ) has criticised the country’s President Alexander van der Bellen over his decision not to give the party the mandate to form a…
‘Show same respect to Poles as you do to Germans’, Polish foreign minister tells Ukraine
Polish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski has asked Ukraine to pay Polish victims of the Second World War Volhynia massacre the same respect it has paid to Germany…
‘Nothing can be done’ in French parliament without National Rally support, Bardella says
It is impossible to achieve anything in the French parliament without the support of Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN), party leader Jordan Bardella has said.
Brexit reversal talks could start in 10 years, New Labour’s ‘Prince of Darkness’ says
A senior British Labour peer and former European Commissioner for Trade has broken ranks on Brexit, suggesting talks on reversing the United Kingdom's exit from…
Orbán in the European Parliament: just one adult in the room
If anyone wanted to witness a chemically-pure concentration of all the ailments afflicting the Western political class, they could not have been better served than…
Ukraine in EU? First, trouble with Hungarians, Slovaks, and the Poles want the bodies back
Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the beleaguered country formally applied to join the European Union.
Secretary general of troubled SPD resigns ahead of Germany’s federal elections
Kevin Kühnert, the General Secretary of Germany's governing Social Democratic Party (SPD), announced his resignation on October 6, ahead of 2025 Germany's federal…