German minister Baerbock rumoured as possible von der Leyen replacement
The German government is said to be actively considering whether or not to send a different Commissioner to Brussels following the European Parliament elections…
From the capitals
Hot TopicLatest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
China’s secret billions buy the soul of Western universities
In a 2019 speech, the internet pioneer Peter Thiel worried about possible high-level infiltration of American companies and universities by the Chinese.
Azerbaijan hosts event promoting Polynesian ‘decolonisation’ from France
Azerbaijani parliamentarians have hosted elected French Polynesian officials at a conference on the " decolonization" of their territory.
Slovak Prime Minister Fico released to home care, hospital says
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has moved to home care from a hospital in the central city of Banska Bystrica, where he had been recovering from an assassination…
Renew bigwig apologises for comparing people with autism to German Chancellor
One of Renew's lead candidates for the EU elections has publicly apologised to all people with autism after comparing them to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
‘Draghi not a candidate to lead EC,’ says Italian foreign minister
…
Spain: Amnesty for Catalan separatists now a reality
Spain's parliament has given the final greenlight to the controversial Catalan amnesty law.
Macron and Scholz greenlight Ukraine strikes on mainland Russia
Ukraine should be allowed to use donated Western weapons to “neutralise” mainland Russian military installations, French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Now Liberals threaten to abandon EC chief von der Leyen
European Parliament Liberals have joined Socialists in threatening to abandon European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as she looks to secure support from…
Indictments rain down in Poland ahead of European Parliament elections
With less than two weeks to go before the European Parliament elections, the Polish Government is issuing a raft of indictments against officials from the former…
Opposition gathers thousands in Madrid to protest against Catalan amnesty
Spain's centre-right Partido Popular (PP) drew thousands of protesters against the amnesty for convicted Catalan separatists to Madrid’s famous Puerta de Alcalá…
Tusk to remain as PM, rejects bid for Polish presidency
'I have a lot of work to do here. A few months or even years won't be enough to clean up everything' said Tusk
Man shot dead in New Caledonia despite Macron’s visit
A 48-year-old man was fatally shot in New Caledonia just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron visited the island to restore "law and order”.
Chega says president is “treasonous,” but Chega goes too far
One must wonder if this is a Portuguese version of misdirection, the technique magicians use to draw your attention away from what the right hand is doing by doing…
North Macedonia’s Macedonia, or Greece’s Macedonia? Feud goes on
The feud between Greece and the country now known as North Macedonia was one of the longest-running and bitter in post-communist Europe.
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.
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.