Germany’s Christian Democrats ‘brain dead’, says splinter-group chief as he ‘unsaddles’
Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) party is "brain dead", the leader of a new splinter group has said.
From the capitals
Hot TopicLatest reporting and analysis on from the capitals.
Civilisational confidence: What the West lacks is not weaponry but a belief in itself. Without it, we are sure to lose the next war
In recent days, a flurry of articles has warned of an impending war with Russia, with the UK Army Chief talking about the potential need for the largest mobilisation…
Germany mulls ‘back-door’ deal to supply Ukraine with cruise missiles
The German Government is reportedly considering a “back-door” method for supplying Ukraine with cruise missiles.
EC: ‘no plan’ to ban Israeli-settlement imports
The European Commission says it is "not planning" to implement any ban on commercial products arriving from Israeli settlements.
After the Dutch, Polish, Italian and German farmers, France’s paysans are in revolt. It will make a difference in June’s European elections
Brussels’s Common Agricultural Policy worked for years, at great cost and with a wealth of regulations, to bring closer the EU member states’ farming sectors.
Iranian ‘experts’ have ‘succeeded in influencing European politics’
Iran is manipulating political discourse in Europe via biased individuals disguised as "experts", according to a report by Spanish MEP Javier Zarzalejos.
Recently-formed pro-Macron Rural Alliance loses a top name
A French rural party, set up with the support of President Emmanuel Macron to target the right-wing National Rally party (RN), is facing trouble after a top figure…
Polish President pardons jailed, hunger-striking MPs
Polish President Andrzej Duda has issued pardons for former ministers Mariusz Kamiński and Maciej Wąsik whohave been on hunger strike in protest at their incarceration.
Woman dies in roadblock crash as French farmers expand protests
French farmers in tractors and trucks expanded their roadblocks, resulting in numerous traffic jams and a fatal accident, as unions urged the Government to address…
EU backs Red Sea naval mission but that may expose ‘splits’ at home
European Union foreign ministers have reached a decision "in principle" to launch a naval mission to help secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea, overcoming Spanish…
Tusk and Zelenskyy ‘to end row’ over Polish truckers and UK eases Ukraine visit rules
The leaders of Poland and Ukraine pledged to tackle a thorny political dispute that had hampered their critical wartime alliance and boost defence cooperation as…
Make no mistake, Germany is attempting to thwart Poland’s sovereignty and future prosperity – and Tusk’s government is playing along
Much of the media broadcasting from Poland want us to believe that the biggest challenge for the new liberal government in Warsaw is judicial reform.
Louis Le Pensec (1980 – 1990)
Louis Le Pensec, the distinguished former French minister, passed away on January 10, 2024, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of political service and advocacy.
Russia ‘aims to influence European elections to isolate Ukraine’, claims US bigwig
Russia will aim to “manipulate” European elections 2024 to isolate Ukraine, a senior US Government official has claimed.
Across the pond: Could Labour government mean more regional politics for the UK?
Manchester, England "We've now... established a new system of governance outside of Westminster" said Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Dutch coalition talks ‘in hot water’ over asylum plan, says Wilders
Dutch MP Geert Wilders has indicated coalition talks regarding the formation of a new government "are having a problem" after the Netherlands’ caretaker authority…
Good COP, bad COP? Macron takes flak over environment pledges
After winning praise at the COP 28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai for announcing €173 million in donations to multilateral climate funds, France's President…
Tusk says Government will ‘override Presidential veto’
Polish President Andrzej Duda met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and pleaded: “Please stop trying to violate the law.”
Austrian populist Chancellor on the cards after centre-right comments
Austria could be on the cusp of having its first populist Chancellor, an interview with a senior centre-right politician in the country has suggested.
Berlin gridlocked as farmers vent fury
Germany's capital Berlin came to a "standstill" amid anti-government protests led by farmers.
Is new French Government right-wing? ‘Non,’ insists Cabinet mouthpiece
French President Emmanuel Macron's new Government is not "right-wing", the main spokesperson for its Cabinet has claimed.
Will China try to ‘sow seeds of disruption’ at WEF meeting?
Officials from China are expected to dominate this year's annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
Was Polish President’s office ‘bugged’ ahead of MPs’ arrest?
A leading Polish newspaper has alleged a senior Warsaw police officer was asked to instigate electronic surveillance of the Presidential Palace in the hours leading…
French Government reset unlikely to give Macron the boost he needs, say analysts
French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to pick a new Prime Minister and Cabinet is unlikely to give him the reset he needed after wounding battles on immigration…
Bucharest under siege by angry farmers and truckers on third day of protests
Major protests by farmers and truckers have entered their third day in Romania, with demonstrators breaking through police blockades in Bucharest.
Macron installs ‘pugnacious’ ex-Sarkozy minister Dati
French President Emmanuel Macron poached former Nicolas Sarkozy minister Rachida Dati to join his new Government, a surprise move that many feel will further weaken…
Mysterious burglaries hit former lead Qatargate investigator
Michel Claise, the former investigating judge in the Qatargate scandal before recusing himself, seems to be in the crosshairs of burglars.
Former Flemish MP Creyelman in hot water again over alleged Chinese-spy case
The Belgian federal prosecutor's office has started criminal proceedings following the disclosed communication between a Chinese spy and former Flemish Vlaams Belang…
Tensions erupt as Polish MPs arrested in police swoop on Presidential Palace
An extraordinary day in Polish politics ended with two MPs arrested by police in the Presidential Palace - without President Andrzej Duda’s approval.
In search of reset, Macron names Gabriel Attal France’s youngest-ever PM
French President Emmanuel Macron named 34-year-old Education Minister Gabriel Attal as his new prime minister on Tuesday, seeking to breathe new life into his…