Olympics: Paris Mayor pledges to jump into the Seine
Mark your calendar - Socialist Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo told French media she will jump into the River Seine to mark the Olympic Games.
From the capitals
Hot TopicLatest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
Brussels gets a Polish promise, here comes the money for Tusk
On the 21st of February 2024, Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice in Donald Tusk's Polish government, presented an Action Plan for “restoring the rule of law in Poland.
Hungary blasts EC ‘double standards’ after Poland investigation dropped
Hungary has berated the European Commission for "blatant double standards" after the body dropped its Article 7 investigation into Poland.
Spain, Ireland and Norway to officially recognise Palestinian Statehood
The governments of Spain, Ireland, and Norway have announced their imminent recognition of Palestine as an independent state.
Outraged Spain recalls Ambassador to Argentina over Milei speech
Spanish foreign minister José Luis Albares has recalled Spain’s Ambassador to Argentina over comments made by the country's president, Javier Milei.
After Raisi: history’s most consequential sudden political deaths
The unexpected demise of Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi, stoned to death with a mountain by the grace of a US-made helicopter, has opened up speculation as to…
EU leaders derided for offering condolences over Iranian helicopter crash
EU leaders have come under fire for offering condolences after Iran's President, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash.
Vatican prelates warn EU voters not to “isolate themselves”
When trying to understand the political position of the Catholic Church, there are two methods. One, just read the press release.
Warsaw Mayor bans display of Christian crosses on public buildings
The Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski banned the display of religious symbols such as Christian crosses from the city hall and other public buildings, making the…
European Parliament crisis for Renew faction as Dutch Liberals join government with Geert Wilders
European Liberals are in turmoil following the decision by the Dutch Liberal VVD party to join a coalition government with Geert Wilders.
In depth: The new right-wing Dutch coalition agreement
With Geert Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) as its biggest partner, the coalition has promised the toughest-ever laws on asylum, a relaxation of climate policies and…
China dwarfs EU investment in bloc’s own back yard
China is dwarfing European Union investment in countries in the bloc's own neighbourhood, from Morocco to Turkey.
Slovak PM Fico in ‘serious’ condition after shooting as allies blame media
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in serious condition following an assassination attempt, with allies of the leader blaming the media and political opposition…
EC bigwig labels Croatia’s Homeland ‘very moderate’ after Eurosceptic party agrees to government coalition
Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has agreed to form a post-elections coalition with the Eurosceptic Homeland Movement party, which he said would give him…
Zelensky cancels visit to Spain as Russia attacks from the Northeast
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled his visit to Madrid, scheduled for Friday, May 17, according to sources within the Spanish Royal House.
Two killed in New Caledonia rioting after right to vote is broadened
At least two people have been killed in rioting on the French Pacific Island of New Caledonia.
‘Sending troops to Ukraine logical,’ Estonian top security advisor says
Madis Roll, Security Policy Advisor to the Estonian President Alar Karis, said that although his country was not planning on sending troops to Ukraine, it would…
Belgium: The crumbling of the establishment has run its course
The crumbling of the Belgian establishment is a decades-long phenomenon, though discontent has reached boiling point ahead of next month's vote
If Russia takes Ukraine, there will be 30 years of insurgency
Look for some good news now on Ukraine – and I mean good in whatever terms it can be used on that wrecked country -- and you may end up in a room with Dr.
Low growth and welfare cuts push Attal Government to the brink
Near-zero growth, coupled with savage welfare cuts and broad perceptions of fiscal mismanagement, look set to push French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's government…
Von der Leyen struggling for majority in European Parliament
Ursula von der Leyen looks increasingly likely to fall short of majority support in the European Parliament for her re-appointment
Young voters snub Macron’s list for European Parliament elections, latest poll suggests
With less than a month remaining until the 2024 European Parliament elections, French President Emmanuel Macron's party Renaissance, led by Valerie Hayer, has struggled…
China signs ‘partnership’ deal with Hungary after von der Leyen bust-up
China has signed a new "all-weather" strategic partnership with Hungary amid worsening relations with the European Union.
Who will inherit Europe? Xi’s visit makes this an open question
For all the pomp and ceremony attending the French leg of Xi Jinping’s European tour, it is the stops in Budapest and Belgrade that carry the greater geopolitical…
France, five other EU countries defy EU boycott of Putin inauguration
"We are not at war with Russia or the Russian people, and we have no desire for regime change in Moscow," said France's President Emmanuel Macron, who sent French…
Poland’s interior minister denies ‘being drunk’ at speech
Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski threatened to sue anyone who said he was drunk during a speech at a public function and claimed he had breathalyser and…
Investigators raid offices of MEP Krah in European Parliament
German MEP Maximilian Krah's Brussels offices have been searched by the police at the behest of the German Federal Attorney General.
French and British Ambassadors summoned in Moscow
The Russian foreign ministry headed by Sergei Lavrov summoned the British and French Ambassadors in Moscow over the ongoing Ukraine conflict on May 6.
Germany deploys two warships to Indo-Pacific amid China-Taiwan tensions
Germany sent two warships to the Indo-Pacific region on May 7 in a bid to strengthen its military presence in the region amid rising tensions between China and…
Many Germans ‘disappointed by von der Leyen presidency’
"Everybody in Germany especially thought she would be much more successful than she ended up being," Strack Zimmerman remarked