Meloni in France: ‘It’s time for right-wing parties to unite’
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on right-wing parties across Europe to build alliances at home in order to bring Conservative governments to power…
From the capitals
Latest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
No military has yet learned how to face the danger of drones
Through the night of September 9, Polish airspace was invaded.
UN to hold emergency meeting over Russian fighter incursion of Estonian airspace
Estonia said the UN Security Council would hold an emergency meeting on the violation of the country's airspace by Russian fighter jets, an incursion condemned by…
Socialist Paris Mayor ‘put luxury clothing on expenses’
Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist Mayor of Paris, is facing heat after it became public that she used taxpayer money to pay for expensive Dior dresses and a Burberry coat,…
Major disruption hits France on day of anti-Macron ‘anger’
French protesters were on September 18 staging a day of nationwide disruption in a show of anger over President Emmanuel Macron's budget policies, with mass protests…
French minister warns of violence as nationwide strike nears
France’s outgoing interior minister Bruno Retailleau has warned that the imminent nationwide strike risks degenerating into violent unrest.
German AfD party tops voter survey as Chancellor Merz faces dissatisfaction
The right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD) is soaring in the polls.
French PM ends ‘lifelong’ benefits for former prime ministers
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced the abolition of lifelong benefits for former prime ministers.
EU influence wears off: European court makes a decision, Poland says, “So what?”
When Polish Justice Minister and General Prosecutor Waldemar Żurek sat down in his office a week ago to record a piece of video for his social media accounts, he…
Poland arrests two Belarusians who allegedly flew drone over official buildings
Poland’s State Protection Service (SOP) spotted and "neutralised" a drone flying over government buildings in central Warsaw.
US backs UN condemnation of Israeli strikes on Qatar
The United Nations Security Council has issued a rare unanimous condemnation of Israeli airstrikes on Qatar's capital, Doha, with the US breaking from its traditional…
Poland rebuffs Trump suggestion that Russian drone incursion a ‘possible accident’
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk yesterday rejected speculation that the incursion into Polish airspace by around 20 Russian drones was accidental.
Macron still doesn’t get it: All France agrees Macronism must go
The collapse of French Prime Minister François Bayrou’s government did not seem to trouble President Emmanuel Macron.
Anti-austerity protests in France limited but grim
Nationwide protests in France under the banner of Bloquons tout! (Block everything) have caused difficulties for the police.
France’s ex-prime ministers cost millions and citizens foot the bill
France's former prime minister, François Bayrou, freshly ejected from parliament, insists he will keep “no advantages” relating to his lost position.
The imperious ECJ tells Poland that all rulings from its upper courts can be ignored
On 4 September, in case C-225/22, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) declared that Polish courts must disregard rulings of higher courts if these…
Swedish defence minister targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators
Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, found himself pursued through the streets of Stockholm by a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and…
Majority of Europeans ‘want EC President von der Leyen out’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is heading into her State of the Union speech with a majority of Europeans wanting her gone.
Socialists secure Norway elections win but Right surges
In a closely contested parliamentary election held, Norway's centre-left bloc, anchored by the Socialist-leaning Labour Party, has secured a narrow victory, claiming…
West cannot win against a unified Russia-India-China axis
In the brutal calculus of international relations, good intentions make poor strategy. The Ukrainian war presents us with this uncomfortable truth in stark relief.
Poland’s financial rating questioned as result of hole in public finances
The Fitch ratings agency has revised Poland's outlook to "negative" from "stable" citing growing risks to public finances.
Norway election: Stoltenberg crushes any chance of right-wing government
Norwegians will vote for their next government on Sept 8, but the national-conservative and anti-immigration Progress Party, despite being the second-largest party…
Chancellor Merz blames poor messaging for popularity plummet
German Chancellor Friederich Merz has acknowledged his government's plummeting popularity, which he says is the result of poor messaging, not decisions made.
‘Coalition of willing’ pledge ‘reassurance force’ for Ukraine if peace deal secured
More than two dozen countries have pledged to join a force to deploy in Ukraine after any eventual peace deal with Russia, aiming to deter Moscow from again attacking…
Survey shows 75% of Germans dissatisfied with Chancellor Merz’s government
The number of Germans unhappy with the job their government is doing has reached a new high.
Trump knows Putin has overplayed his hand
We are finally coming to a decisive moment in the Ukraine war.
Did von der Leyen’s plane really suffer from GPS jamming?
Questions have arisen over the official Brussels' account of a plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Bulgaria that was reportedly…
Marine Le Pen calls for new elections as her party eyes absolute majority
French right-wing National Rally (RN) de facto leader Marine Le Pen has called for new elections in France following her meeting with Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Au revoir, Bayrou? What a Le Pen-Bardella tandem could mean for France
France is exhausted.
‘Fate of France’ at stake in confidence vote, says PM Bayrou
French Prime Minister François Bayrou said the destiny of France was at stake in a forthcoming confidence vote, which he called to resolve a budget standoff but…