Documentary on unemployment benefits sparks controversy in Belgium
A television documentary about unemployment benefits has triggered a heated debate in Belgium.
Democracy
Latest reporting and analysis on democracy.
Belgian anti-drone unit not deployed during airspace intrusions
The Belgian federal police did not utilise its anti-drone unit during intrusions into Belgian airspace, the latest being on November 6, despite the unit having been…
Meloni moves to restrict power of activist judiciary
The government of Italy’s Giorgia Meloni is now the third-longest in the history of the post-war Italian republic.
‘TikTok Islamists’: Germany cracks down on Muslim organisations
The German interior ministry has cracked down on allegedly Islamist organisations operating within the country.
Latvian President blocks parliament decision to withdraw from treaty on preventing violence against women
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has refused to approve his parliament’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
German Caricature Prize goes to cartoon likening AfD party to SS troops
A cartoonist from Hamburg has won the German Caricature Prize for a cartoon likening the right-wing Alternative for Germany party (AfD) to the Schutzstaffel, the…
Spain’s regional leader resigns, year after deadly floods
The heavily criticised leader of Spain's Valencia region said today he was stepping down, a year after the area was hit by floods in the country's deadliest natural…
Poland’s Ombudsman slams PM Tusk government’s ‘rule of law’ bill
The Polish Ombudsman, Marcin Wiącek, has criticised the “rule of law” bill proposed by the coalition government because it is based on a “false premise”.
French President Macron: ‘Social media corrupts democracy’
French President Emmanuel Macron said social media has abandoned "informational neutrality", a phenomenon that is undermining democracy in this "time of crisis".
Judge warns Belgium becoming a ‘narco State’
Criminals have the upper hand in Belgium, according to an Antwerp-based judge.
Not your choice: Brussels surrenders your body to Geneva
They are coming for your body and your wallet.
Report finds discrimination and abuse within French public TV
An independent expert report conducted at France Télévisions has painted a grim picture of a toxic work environment.
Belgian councillor accused of being unable to speak French or Dutch
A local councillor in Molenbeek, a municipality in the Brussels region, is accused of not being able to speak French or Dutch, the official languages of the region.
Stand and deliver: Armed men hold up bus on German motorway
Three armed men stopped a bus on a motorway in Bavaria yesterday, robbing passengers at gunpoint in what German media labelled a “Wild West” crime.
Slovak court gives 21-year jail term to man who shot PM Fico
A Slovak court on Tuesday sentenced a gunman who shot Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year to 21 years in prison.
Suspect held over firebombing attempt on Polish PM Tusk’s party HQ
A man has been detained following an attempted firebombing of the Warsaw headquarters of the party led by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
US revokes German left-winger’s visa over posts on Charlie Kirk assassination
A prominent German left-wing activist has had his visa revoked by the US Department of State for celebrating the assassination of Conservative influencer Charlie…
Swedish party leader steps down, citing relentless hatred and threats
Anna-Karin Hatt, the leader of the Swedish Liberal Centre Party (Centerpartiet), caused surprise when she announced her resignation, citing an unbearable wave of…
Tobacco: Why won’t Brussels follow Sweden’s ‘smoke free’ policy?
Brussels has poured cold water over Sweden's approach to tackling smoking and plans to move in a completely different direction with its upcoming Tobacco Plan.
Choose me! French Duke urges return to ‘monarchic heritage’
One of France’s royal pretenders, Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou, has criticised the country’s deepening "political and institutional crisis" and urged the…
MEP Ilaria Salis keeps European Parliament immunity, declares: ‘We are all anti-fascists’
The plenary of the European Parliament has confirmed the immunity of the Italian self-declared 'anti-fascist' Ilaria Salis.
US Antifa founders discovered hiding in Sweden
Two founders of Portland Antifa have been found hiding in Sweden after US President Donald Trump decided to list Antifa as a terrorist organisation.
Six bystanders shot by 14-year-old in Swedish ‘suspected gang conflict’
A fourteen year-old has shot six bystanders in central Sweden, including a minor, in what prosecutors are calling a "suspected gang conflict".
In Tusk’s Poland, justice isn’t blind
Equality before the law is only possible when justice is blind—administered to all indiscriminately, without fear or favour.
Snobbish British historian can never get over fatuous vitriol towards Trump
The veteran British military historian and newspaperman Sir Max Hastings, who was a competent editor of The Daily Telegraph when I had the honour to be that newspaper’s…
Respect it: The veto is the guarantee for a smaller nation that it has a genuine say
Why is Europe shrinking in confidence, in production, in prosperity? Why do citizens from Dublin to Athens feel that their lives are harder than they ought to be?
Macron defends judiciary as Sarkozy protests conviction
French President Emmanuel Macron rallies behind France's Judicial institutions as former president Nicolas Sarkozy denounced his conviction for criminal association…
Many thousands hit streets of Italy to protest ‘Gaza genocide’
Tens of thousands of people protested across Italy as part of a day of action to "denounce the genocide in Gaza", which included transport strikes and port blockades.
Movement to designate Antifa ‘terrorist group’ spreads in Europe
Law-makers in Hungary and the Netherlands have signalled intentions to restrict or outlaw Antifa, a loose network of left-wing activists involved in violent protests.
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with his murder
The suspect in the fatal shooting of prominent US right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk has been formally charged with his murder.