EU spends more on policing speech than transnational cancer research
The EU has given €650 million to projects combating so-called 'hate speech' and 'disinformation', one third more than it has given to transnational cancer research…
Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Kingmaker in Polish presidential poll names his price
Sławomir Mentzen, who came third in the first round of Poland's presidential election, invited both candidates in the second round to appear on his YouTube channel…
Right-wing French mayors call for ban on marriage between citizens and illegal migrants
A group of right-wing French mayors from the Les Républicains party have called for a ban on marriages between French citizens and illegal migrants.
Populist parties must make populist-nationalism the ‘default’ right-wing view in the West
Last Sunday’s election results were something of a wash for the populist-right.
Farmers rally against CAP reforms outside Commission headquarters
A small group of farmers, joined by political speakers and allies from the European Parliament, assembled in Brussels on May 20 to protest against proposed reforms…
Following Trump, EU foreign ministers to lift all economic sanctions against Syria
The European Union will soon lift all its remaining economic sanctions against Syria, according to reports by AFP and Bloomberg.
Russian sanction fatigue sets in, as EU readies ‘massive’ 18th package
The EU is preparing a “massive” new sanctions package against Russia— but after 17 rounds, growing fatigue and limited results have started to fracture the…
Blow for ‘progressive’ Tusk: Anti-abortion trio receive majority in presidential vote
The Brussels elites were surely dismayed at how well conservative populist candidates fared in Sunday’s first round of Poland’s presidential election.
Rail Baltica delays cause friction among Baltic states
The Rail Baltica corridor–a high-speed rail link eventually to connect Tallinn with Warsaw–has already hit major rail delays, with Latvia saying it would miss…
Polish state TV bans photos of its buildings
Poland’s government-controlled broadcaster TVP (Telewizja Polska) has placed new notices warning photographers they may not photograph the corporation’s headquarters…
Germany drops opposition to nuclear power at EU level – but plants stay shut at home
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new government has dropped Germany's opposition at the EU to nuclear power.
My candidate or chaos, claims Tusk after Polish presidential poll setback
“The next two weeks will determine the future of Poland,” Polish prime minister Donald Tusk warned voters after a disappointing showing by pro-government candidates…
Eurovision promises to review and verify results, after countries cry ‘foul’
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) responded to growing calls for transparency after public broadcasters in Spain and Belgium questioned the televote results…
The ‘thrilling competition’ to see which of the 21st century’s British PMs is the worst
The latest deal agreed on Monday between the UK government and the EU is far worse than poor Chamberlain’s capitulation at Munich in 1938.
France justice minister under fire for ‘penal colony’ in French Guiana
Politicians on French Guiana have opposed French plans for a new high-security prison in the overseas French territory.
Belgium and Spain suspect manipulation in Eurosong vote, demand action
The Spanish and Belgian public broadcasters questioned the points awarded to Israel’s Eurovision entry and have announced there were possible irregularities.
‘We are turning a page’, say UK and EU signing ‘reset’ agreement
The UK agreed to reset ties with the European Union since Brexit, with a new agreement removing trade barriers and bringing more collaboration on defence.
Portugal swings to the Right, as Socialists suffer historic defeat
Portugal's right-wing parties have triumphed in the country’s third snap general election in three years.
Battery supply chain still lacks data, Commissioner says
The EU has called for full traceability in electric vehicle batteries by 2027. But it still doesn’t have the data to back that goal up, an EU Commissioner said.
The Eurofighter charade: Turkey’s rise and the EU’s defence disarray
The European Union’s dream of strategic autonomy lies in tatters, undermined by the United Kingdom, a non-EU power, steering talks to sell 40 Eurofighter Typhoon…
UK-EU set to seal closer ties in first summit since Brexit
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to seal a deal for closer ties with the European Union at a landmark summit on Monday, opening a new chapter after Britain's…
Pro-European Union Nicușor Dan wins Romanian elections
Nicușor Dan, the pro-European mayor of Bucharest, won Romania's presidential election in a second-round runoff against nationalist populist George Simion.
Polish Right gains momentum in presidential election first round
Rafał Trzaskowski, from PM Donald Tusk’s ruling Civic Coalition (KO), narrowly won the first round of voting in Poland’s presidential election May 18.
My election night in Bucharest: the Right loses, then asks questions on foreign interference
With 99.8 per cent of polling stations counted by 1:50 a.m. local time, Romania’s presidential runoff came to a close.
European Commission says TikTok violates Digital Services Act, risking mega fine
The European Commission has determined Chinese-owned social-media app TikTok violated European online content rules about transparency in who pays for advertisements.
The end of “Pfizergate”–now what About Ursula and BioNTech?
“Pfizergate” has ended with something of a whimper.
Former Italian PM Enrico Letta: Single market not so single, but at least ‘Trump gave us a shared agenda’
Former Italian PM Enrico Letta warned Europe was not fit for the global stage, as it prepared for trade talks with Donald Trump.
Romanians wanted UK’s Charles as their king, says presidential candidate
Many Romanians wanted King Charles III to lead a restored Romanian monarchy, the country's leading presidential candidate said on May 15.
Pollster who predicted Trump victory says Polish PiS ahead in presidential race
One of the few pollsters to correctly predict US president Donald Trump’s election victory in 2024 is tipping Conservative (PiS) candidate Karol Nawrocki for a…
German interior minister hails stricter border controls, but police bemoan lack of staff
Alexander Dobrindt, Germany’s new interior minister from Bavaria's Christian Social Union, drew a positive conclusion from the first week of stricter border controls.