German Christmas market tradition ‘killed off by EU law’
A decades-long Christmas market tradition in Germany has reportedly been killed off under European Union law.
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Politics
Latest reporting and analysis on politics.
Former EU justice Commissioner Reynders investigated over alleged ‘money laundering’
Didier Reynders, who was serving as European Commissioner of Justice under EC President Ursula von der Leyen until a few days ago, has been put under investigation…
The Greens are fading now, but I was in Germany with them at the start
The Greens are failing in elections all over Europe. They were wiped out in Iceland’s elections and have only just avoided the same fate in Ireland.
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UK government and its flea-bitten policies out of step with new rhythm of the West
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' recent budget has deepened the decline of respect for the Starmer government, as it leverages tax increases amidst widespread discontent…
Dolly’s revenge: EC chief von der Leyen chews up protection levels for wolves
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has succeeded in chewing up the animal rights protection level enjoyed by wolves in Europe, the commission has…
Conservative summit in Madrid sparks consternation among Left
The Spanish Senate's hosting of the 6th Transatlantic Summit, organised by the Political Network for Values (PNfV), has sparked controversy.
French Government on brink of collapse
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government, only installed in September, seems set to fall apart after having pushed through a social security financing bill.
French President Macron hooks Trump for official Notre Dame reopening
French President Emmanuel Macron has invited US President-elect Donald Trump for the grand reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 8.
Germany’s AfD party to cut ties with its own youth organisation
The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has said it plans to replace its youth organisation "Young Alternative" (JA), which was labelled "definitely extremist"…
In France the helicopter air-drops of fresh cash are over
In one of his Letters from Paris published many years ago in the New Yorker, Adam Gopnik observed that the French suffer from what he called a “White Helicopter”…
Irish MEP berates Musk after party’s election win
Irish MEP Billy Kelleher, a member of the Fianna Fáil party, has taken to X to berate US tech billionaire Elon Musk after his party's win in the country's general…
Polish parliament Speaker Hołownia embroiled in ‘fake diplomas’ scandal
Szymon Hołownia, Speaker of Poland’s parliament and presidential candidate for Poland 2050, the centrist party he leads, has been accused of seeking a masters…
Threadbare Xanadu: Europeans discover the EU is a bogus confection
What is Europe? Is there such a place? Or is this Europe thing just a creation of a communal imagination that itself exists solely because of a self-defining doctrine?
‘Italian’ tomato products in European shops a result of ‘Chinese forced labour’
The BBC's Eye Investigations has uncovered alleged fraud in the European tomato purée industry, with Chinese tomatoes produced under forced labour apparently falsely…
National Rally: End of French Government a ‘done deal’ as no-confidence vote looms
Jordan Bardella, leader of France's National Rally (RN), has said the end of the French Government was now a "done deal" ahead of a likely no-confidence vote.
Wilted Greens lose 12 of 13 seats in Irish election
Ireland's Green Party has suffered a crushing defeat in the country's general election, with the government coalition partner losing 12 of its 13 seats.
New EC kicks-off with threats to Georgia amid violence
The new European Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen has spent its first day in operation threatening Georgia over the country's alleged mistreatment…
Social Democrats win Iceland elections, Greens lose all seats
The Social Democrats have won Iceland's parliamentary election with all the previous government parties taking hits.
Nuclear power-plant operator claims German phase-out was ‘politically motivated’
Nuclear power plant managers have challenged Green Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck's assertions about the need for Germany's nuclear phase-out.
Georgian PM aborts EU accession as relationships sour
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has announced that his ruling party would abort his country's attempt to join the European Union until 2028 and said his…
Musk urges Irish to ‘vote for freedom’ as general election starts
Elon Musk has urged the Irish to "vote for freedom" as ballot boxes open for the country's general election.
Macron visits ‘sublime’ restored Notre Dame Cathedral
Eight days before the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris to the public, French President Emmanuel Macron has visited the restored cathedral.
Vienna police ban anti-government protest but allow left-wingers’ demonstration
Police in Vienna have come under fire for banning a right-wing demonstration against the likely centrist government coalition.
Spanish Government to donate €75 million to help ‘build State of Palestine’
The Spanish Government has said it will allocate at least €75 million to the Palestinian National Authority over the next two years to support Palestinian State-building.
Stockholm county ditches ban on petrol cars
After companies operating in Stockholm appealed the planned petrol car ban, the County Administrative Board (CAB) for the county of Stockholm has decided to block…
Brussels Signal reported weeks ago, now FBI confirms, Chinese eavesdropped on candidates
On October 17, Brussels Signal reported on a Chinese security breach of major US telecommunications networks.
UK Transport Secretary resigns over fraud conviction
Louise Haigh, Transport Secretary in the recently elected Labour Party UK Government, has resigned after admitting she was convicted of fraud 10 years ago.
German health minister defends pro-Covid lockdown stance amid ‘misconduct’ allegations
Germany's outgoing health minister has defended his former pro-Covid lockdown stance amid claims that his actions during the pandemic could have amounted to "misconduct".
European Parliament votes against outdoor smoking ban
The European Parliament has broken ranks with the European Commission on a far-reaching clampdown on smoking.
Former French Interior Minister calls for compromise with Le Pen’s National Rally
France's former interior minister Gérald Darmanin has called upon current PM, Michel Barnier, to find common ground with the National Rally (RN) party "and its…